Treatment preferences of physiotherapists' for acute pain in anterior cruciate ligament injury

Abstract

Background and aims: Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury is a common orthopedic problem in young people who participated sport activities. In Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury, the first six weeks are accepted as an acute period. The primary goal in this period is to control acute pain and inflammation in the knee. The aim of this study was to determine of treatment preferences of physiotherapists’ for acute pain in Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury. Methods: In this study, total of ninety-three physiotherapists were participated who worked for one year or more and agreed to participate in the study were included in the study.The mean age was 28.52 ± 6.53 and mean working time 5.5±6.13 year. The scenario (21 years old male had a partial Anterior Cruciate Ligament rupture during play football) was given to physical therapist. Considering this scenario; they were asked which methods they preferred to treatment to acute pain more frequently. Results: The distribution treatment method preferences by physical therapists were electro physical agents 97.8%, cryotherapy 89.2%, manual therapy 78.5%, methods for pain and swelling stabilization and protection of knee 53.8%, exercise for keeping muscle performance and range of motion 49.5% and 12,9% alternative methods. Conclusion: The study results suggested that most chosen methods by physical therapists for treatment of acute pain in partial Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury was electro physical agents, cryotherapy, manual therapy and joint stabilization and protection.