Date of Graduation

Spring 2015

Degree

Master of Science in Athletic Training

Department

Kinesiology

Committee Chair

Tona Hetzler

Abstract

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are frequent athletic and non-athletic injuries that impact a person's functional and athletic capability. ACL injuries generally require surgical reconstruction. The most popular graft types include patellar tendon (PT) and hamstring tendon (HT) autografts. PT autografts have been blamed for chronic anterior knee pain (AKP) and extensor mechanism deficits. This study compared the PT and HT autografts and their impact on AKP in subjects who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Data were gathered from existing patient data from rehabilitation therapy records. Additional factors were also analyzed to determine the effect on post-ACLR pain. Post-treatment pain ratings measured by the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) were recorded for the patient's first six weeks of therapy visits. A lack of descriptive documentation did not allow for specific pain location. Neither PT nor HT autografts had a significant effect on post-ACLR pain ratings. Rehabilitation type, age, and time from surgery to initial rehabilitation visit were found to have significant effects on pain ratings. This study indicated that multiple variables can affect pain post-ACLR and future studies should focus on additional factors affecting ACLR patients.

Keywords

patient outcomes, accelerated rehabilitation, conservative rehabilitation, Numerical Pain Rating Scale, rehabilitation outcomes

Subject Categories

Sports Sciences

Copyright

© Alexandria Annalicia Jauregui-Dusseau

Open Access

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