Accelerated Protocol Versus Conservative Protocol in Postoperative ACL Surgery: A Literature Review.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17753815Keywords:
ACL rehabilitation, Accelerated ACL protocol, Anterior cruciate ligament, Post-operative ACL, PhysiotherapyAbstract
Abstract: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is essential for knee stability, and its rupture is common in sports involving rapid changes of direction. Reconstruction is the most recommended treatment, and physiotherapy plays a fundamental role in both pre- and postoperative phases. The accelerated and conservative rehabilitation protocols aim for effective recovery and directly influence the return to activities. The objective of this study is to present the differences between the two protocols. The research was conducted using the PubMed, SciELO, and Google Scholar databases, analyzing publications from 2020 to 2025. Of the 84 articles found, 6 were analyzed and selected. The studies showed no significant difference between the two protocols, although the accelerated one was associated with a higher rate of laxity and tunnel widening. It was concluded that there is no consensus on the best method, as the choice is made based on multiple factors.
References
BRINLEE, Alexander W. et al. ACL reconstruction rehabilitation: clinical data, biologic healing, and criterion-based milestones to inform a return-to-sport guideline. Sports Health, v. 14, n. 5, p. 770-779, 2022.
ELABD, Omar M. et al. Resultados funcionais do protocolo de reabilitação acelerada para reconstrução do ligamento cruzado anterior em atletas amadores: um ensaio clínico randomizado. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, v. 56, p. 12296, 2024.
FIGUEIRA, Vera Lorena Galúcio; DA SILVA JÚNIOR, José Alexandre. A importância da fisioterapia imediata nos pós-operatórios do ligamento cruzado anterior. Research, Society and Development, v. 11, n. 1, p. e52111125450-e52111125450, 2022.
JENKINS, Sarah M. et al. Rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament injury: review of current literature and recommendations. Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine, v. 15, n. 3, p. 170-179, 2022.
KAKAVAS, George et al. Periodization in anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation: a novel framework. Medical Principles and Practice, v. 30, n. 2, p. 101-108, 2021.
KOTSIFAKI, Roula et al. Aspetar clinical practice guideline on rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. British journal of sports medicine, v. 57, n. 9, p. 500-514, 2023.
LIN, Chang-Hao; CHIH, Wei-Hsing; CHIANG, Chen-Hao. Effect of graft types for outcomes in revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a meta-analysis. Orthopaedics & Traumatology: Surgery & Research, v. 110, n. 1, p. 103696, 2024.
MANIAR, Nirav et al. Muscle force contributions to anterior cruciate ligament loading. Sports Medicine, v. 52, n. 8, p. 1737-1750, 2022.
PATRA, Saroj Kumar et al. Protocolo de reabilitação conservadora acelerada precoce versus tardia após reconstrução do ligamento cruzado anterior: um estudo prospectivo randomizado. Revista Brasileira de Ortopedia, v. 57, p. 429-436, 2022.
ROBBERTSE, Colett; NAIDOO, Vaneshveri. Postoperative anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation: A survey in Gauteng, South Africa. South African Journal of Physiotherapy, v. 81, n. 1, p. 2144, 2025.
SANTOS, Caio Eduardo Sousa; DE OLIVEIRA NETO, Manoel Dias. Atuação do fisioterapeuta na amplitude de movimento no pós operatório de ligamento cruzado anterior. Research, Society and Development, v. 12, n. 14, p. e40121444510-e40121444510, 2023.
WALDRON, Kristen et al. Anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation and return to sport: how fast is too fast. Arthroscopy, sports medicine, and rehabilitation, v. 4, n. 1, p. e175-e179, 2022.
WEAVER, Adam P. et al. Isokinetic Knee Strength and Patient-Reported Outcomes Differ Between Graft Types in Adolescents After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Multicenter Study. Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine, v. 13, n. 5, p. 23259671251334143, 2025.
WU, Jocelyn et al. Princípios de reabilitação a serem considerados para o reparo do ligamento cruzado anterior. Sports Health, v. 14, n. 3, p. 424-432, 2022.
ZHEYUAN, F. A. N. et al. Delayed versus accelerated weight-bearing rehabilitation protocol following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, v. 54, p. 1438, 2022.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Ana Luisa Rodrigues da Luz, Rafaela Araújo dos Santos, Keite Oliveira de Lima, Ronney Jorge de Souza Raimundo
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
