Evaluating Post-Surgical Recovery in ACL Repair: A Meta-Analytical Review of Preoperative Therapy Versus Non-Therapeutic Approaches

Background: Preoperative therapy has been increasingly proposed as a strategy to optimize recovery outcomes in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative therapeutic interventions compared to non-therapeutic approaches in enhancing post-surgical recovery. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted, and eligible studies that compared preoperative therapy with non-therapeutic approaches in ACL repair were identified. Data were extracted on various clinical outcomes, including knee mobility, overall knee function, and patient-reported quality of life. The methodological quality of the studies was rigorously assessed and a meta-analytical synthesis was performed. Findings: The results revealed that patients receiving preoperative therapy exhibited superior knee mobility and overall knee health post-surgery. However, improvements in overall knee function were similar between the two groups, suggesting that preoperative therapy may have a targeted benefit on specific functional parameters rather than a global impact. Conclusion: Preoperative therapeutic interventions appear to offer significant advantages in terms of knee mobility and overall knee health in the context of ACL reconstruction, although both preoperative and non-therapeutic approaches yield comparable results in overall knee function. These findings underscore the potential of tailored preoperative strategies to enhance targeted aspects of post-surgical recovery. Further research is warranted to identify the most effective components of preoperative therapy and their long-term impacts on patient outcomes. Additionally, integrating patient-specific factors into the design of preoperative protocols could optimize recovery trajectories and improve personalized care in ACL reconstruction.