RISK-FACTORS FOR RESTRICTED MOTION AFTER ANTERIOR CRUCIATE RECONSTRUCTION

A retrospective review of 373 patients who had undergone anterior cruc iate ligament (ACL) reconstruction utilizing the central third of the patellar tendon was undertaken to identify those factors that placed a patient at risk for restricted postoperative motion (flexion less tha n or equal to 125 degrees or flexion contracture greater than or equal to 10 degrees). Stepwise logistic regression analysis determined that the variables most strongly correlated with restricted final range of motion (ROM) were open surgery (P=.0008) and reconstruction performed less than or equal to 7 days after the initial injury (P=.004). Age, associated meniscal repair, or associated collateral ligament injuries did not significantly affect the ROM. A subgroup of 204 patients arth roscopically reconstructed more than 7 days post-injury were significa ntly less likely to have limited motion when ROM exercises were begun within 2 days of surgery (P=.008). These data support delayed, arthros copic ACL reconstruction followed by early ROM exercises as useful tec hniques for avoiding postoperative motion problems.