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Mutabazi L.E.1
1University of Alberta Rwanda College of Allied Health Sciences, Physiotherapy Department, Kigali, Rwanda
Background: The Physiotherapy department started to follow pre and post operative conditions of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in 2015. The fresh and chronic injuries of ACL in Rwanda used to be referred a broad for surgery and rehabilitation which costed the government of Rwanda millions of US dollars. Currently 63 cases of ACL benefited from Physiotherapy practices.
Purpose: To demonstrate the effect of early rehabilitation in management of anterior cruciate Ligament reconstruction.
Methods: A retrospective study using both quantitative and qualitative methods was used to collect data from patients files. A systematic random sampling using ACL patients register was used to select sample size of 24 cases. Only post surgical cases that followed rehabilitation at King Faisal Hospital were eligible in this study. Data were managed using patients file especially the progress note form. The measurements tools used were Functional Independence Measures and Patient Specific Functional Scale for a validated functional test within an appropriate time. Treatment protocols as well as guidelines on anterior cruciate ligament management were used by the rehabilitation team for successful rehabilitation. King Faisal Hospital, Kigali ethical committee approved this research.
Results: The recovery period of ACL Injuries among female and male were same. Among followed cases, 98% fully recovered their functions and regained routine activities such as military, sports and other activities after six months of rehabilitation.
Conclusion(s): The rehabilitation of ACL in Rwanda saved life and careers of many talented sport men and women. King Faisal Hospital, Kigali built confidence and trust of many customers and stakeholders through the success of rehabilitation. Other factors, such as associated injuries and socio-psychological hindrances influencing the return to sports were taken into consideration, both during the rehabilitation and at the evaluation of the treatment.
Implications: Actually, the presence of a specialist in sport surgeries and competent rehabilitation team reduced the total cost of external transfers to 70%.
Current rehabilitation programme uses immediate training of range of motion, isometric contraction, closed kinematic chain motion, rhythmical stabilization and stretching,strengthening, proprioception and agility exercises. Weight bearing is discouraged within the first week after an ACL reconstruction. The followed patients were allowed to return to light sporting activities such as running at 23 months after surgery and to contact sports, including cutting and jumping, after 6 months.
Funding acknowledgements: The Government of Rwanda through the ministry of Health
Topic: Orthopaedics
Ethics approval: The King Faisal Hospital,Kigali research,education and ethical committee approved this study to be conducted
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
