Comparison of Early Outcomes of Video-Assisted Telerehabilitation and Traditional Exercise Program after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery

Objective: This prospective, randomized and controlled study aimed to determine the extent of changes in early-term outcomes following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction when tele-rehabilitation is applied optimally, comparing to traditional rehabilitation. Materials and Methods: The study included 24 patients with anterior cruciate ligament rupture who presented to our clinic before having their first isolated ACL reconstruction on the affected extremity. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: a traditional rehabilitation group and a tele-rehabilitation group. Both groups followed the same rehabilitation program consisting of daily home exercises for four weeks. The tele-rehabilitation group received a written and illustrated rehabilitation program, which was also verbally explained and followed by online standard video access. The traditional group received the same written and illustrated program, which was explained verbally, but without video access. Tests were conducted at three different times. Exercise programs were administered on the first day post-surgery and following the mid-test at the second week post-surgery. Results: Significant differences were observed between the two groups in outcomes of ACL Quality of Life Questionnaire, Tegner Activity Scale, satisfaction survey values, active flexion and extension range of motion measurements, walking parameters, hamstring average torque values, and proprioception at 15° (p0.05). Conclusion: To conclude, tele-rehabilitation yielded positive early-term results following ACL surgery. This suggests that tele-rehabilitation can be a valuable alternative for early-term rehabilitation in cases where in-clinic rehabilitation is not available or hospital access is restricted.