Decreased Range of Motion Following Acute Versus Chronic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Eighty patients with acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction were compared to 80 patients with chronic ACL reconstruction. Before reconstruction, all patients had 0 degrees-120 degrees active motion, performed a straight leg raise without loss of extension, and demonstrated good quadriceps control. At 3 months, 4 acute patients had decreased range of motion (<10 degrees-120 degrees), but none at 6 or 12 months, and did not require repeat surgery. One chronic patient had decreased range of motion at 3 and 6 months and 1 patient had decreased range of motion at 1 year; both patients required operative intervention. Using these specific preoperative criteria, no increased incidence of decreased range of motion was found when an ACL reconstruction was performed within 3 weeks of injury.