• Gaurav Bhati
• Dr Vaishali Chaudhary

Background: With the high prevalence of anterior cruciate ligament rupture among young and active individuals, rehabilitation after the injury and surgery should meet the current evidence-based recommendations to restore knee function and reduce the risk of further injury. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the current rehabilitation practices and return to sports (RTS) criteria after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) among physiotherapists in India. Methods: : A total of 201 physical therapists in India participated in this survey. The survey included questions about the preferred postoperative timing and frequency of rehabilitation, current views on the importance of preoperative and postoperative rehabilitation to the overall outcomes, the timeframe of RTS, and the decision-making process to RTS. Results : Most therapists (96.6%) believed preoperative rehabilitation was essential/important to postoperative outcomes. Two-thirds encouraged patients to start rehabilitation program within 1 to 4 days immediately post-ACLR. RTS was permitted 6 to 9 months post-ACLR by 60% of therapists if satisfied with patient progress and capacity. Factors considered before RTS included knee strength (72.9%), functional capacity (86.4%), lower limb and trunk mechanics (62.7%), and psychological readiness (42.2%). Knee strength was assessed by manual muscle testing (39%), handheld dynamometry (15.3%), and isokinetic dynamometer (13.6%). While 60% of the therapists used single-limbed hop for distance for evaluating functional capacity, only 27.1% used a hop test battery. Conclusion : The surveyed physical therapists in Saudi Arabia demonstrated variations in the current rehabilitation practices and RTS criteria post-ACLR. Over half of the surveyed therapists considered preoperative rehabilitation essential to postoperative outcomes. However, the therapists should update their perspective with current evidence based practice regarding the RTS timeframe, psychological readiness assessment for RTS, and knee strength evaluation using objective measurements.

anterior cruciate ligament surgery, postoperative rehabilitation, physical therapy, postoperative outcomes, clinical decision making

"Current perspective of indian physiotherapists on rehabilitation and return to sports after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 2, page no.d642-d662, February-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2502373.pdf

"Current perspective of indian physiotherapists on rehabilitation and return to sports after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 2, page no. ppd642-d662, February-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2502373.pdf