MRI Evaluation of Patella Alignment Before and After Anatomical Reconstruction of ACL Undergoing Unified Rehabilitation Programme Introduced by CMC Physical Therapy Team

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to asses the impact of the functional rehabilitation on patella alignment with MRI imaging in patients who underwent the ACL reconstruction. The surgical approach with the use of patellar tendon graft is known to carry the risk of lowering patella height (patella baja), which, in turn, may lead to accelerated cartilage wear in patellofemoral joint. METHODS: 30 patients after the anatomical reconstruction of ACL took part in this study (23 male, and 7 female, mean age = 28 ± 10,6 years). During the procedure a patellar tendon graft was used. The Insali-Salvati ratio measured with MRI (images taken pre-procedural, and 9 months after the surgery) was used for the assessment of patellar alignment. The measurements were taken by one radiology specialist on MRI scans in sagittal view in PD sequence. During the examination, patellar joint was in flexion (approx.10 degrees). As the point of reference for patella’s position ISR ratio was in the range of 0.8 - 1.2. All patients were operated on by the same team of surgeons and underwent an unified rehabilitation programme led by a team of selected physiotherapists. The main features of the programme were: an early muscle activation (second day after the procedure); mobilisation of the patella and tissues of the anterior compartment of the knee; weight bearing co-contraction exercises, and the sensomotoric training of the entire kinetic chain of the lower limb. The data recorded was statistically analysed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test in order to establish parameters’ changes within the study group.. RESULTS: The mean ISR value before the procedure was 0.84 (± 0,1), whereas 9 months after the surgery it was 0.85 (± 0,1). The results’ analysis did not show any statistically significant changes between ISR values. Nine months after the procedure patella baja has not been observed in any of the evaluated patients. CONCLUSION: The functional rehabilitation programme designed by the CMC team had no negative impact on patella alignment, as no patella baja, which is a common complication after these kinds of surgeries, has been observed. The applied functional rehabilitation programme enabled patients to keep the proper patella alignment, similar to the alignment recorded before the surgery.