Rehabilitation of the Knee Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Medial Collateral Ligament Injuries

Rehabilitation of the knee following ligament injuries with or without surgical reconstruction remains controversial. Many surgeons and most therapists recognize the importance of rehabilitation following injury, but they vary in their recommendations for motion, weight bearing, muscle reconditioning, and proprioceptive retraining. This article discusses rationale of rehabilitation, anatomy and biomechanics, mechanisms of injury, treatment of injuries, and rehabilitation. Concepts of strength training in ligament rehabilitation, nonsurgical treatment of the anterior cruciate-deficient knee, and patellofemoral pain syndromes are discussed also.