The best time of weight bearing after ACL reconstruction, immediately or delayed? A randomized clinical trial

Objective: Postoperative rehabilitation protocols, such as immobilization and non-weight-bearing periods during the acute phase after ACL surgery, vary depending on the surgeon or the institution, and lack clear standardization. Weight bearing (WB) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) is one of the important issues. This study aimed to compare the results of WB immediately after surgery and partial WB with a brace after ACL-R. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial (IRCT20110809007274N17), block random sampling was used to select 84 patients who were divided into two groups: group 1 who were allowed to have full WB after surgery, and group 2 who were asked to use braces after surgery, and they were divided into partial WB for one month and then full WB. Demographic information was recorded. Lachman test, anterior knee pain and kneeling pain before surgery and one months after surgery were also recorded. Knee function was evaluated using IKDC , KOOS and Lysholm scales before surgery and 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. Data were analyzed in SPSS software using Fisher's exact, Chi-square, Friedman and repeated measures ANOVA. Results: Most of the patients were men under 30 years old. There was no statistically significant difference in the demographic information of the patients in the two groups. Kneeling pain, anterior knee pain and the Lachman test did not differ between the two groups one month after the surgery. There was no difference between the two groups in the scores of IKDC, KOOS and Lysholm in the 6-month follow-up. All the examined indicators in each group improved over time. Conclusion: It appears WB immediately after surgery compared to partial WB at 1, 3, 6 months after ACL-R do not differ from each other. Therefore, patients can bear full weight if they tolerate it.