title: Primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using contralateral patellar tendon autograft.
abstract: Primary ACL reconstruction using a contralateral patellar tendon autograft is an effective means of achieving symmetrical range of motion and strength after surgery. When the graft is harvested from the ipsilateral knee, the rehabilitation for the ACL graft and for the graft-donor site are different and have opposing goals. Rehabilitation for the ACL graft involves obtaining full range of motion, reducing swelling, and providing the appropriate stress to achieve graft maturation. Rehabilitation for the graft-donor site involves performing high-repetition strengthening exercises to regain size and strength, best achieved when begun immediately after surgery.
authors.affiliation: Shelbourne Knee Center at Methodist Hospital, 1815 N. Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
authors.forename: K Donald
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Shelbourne
authors.forename: Bavornrat
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vanadurongwan
authors.forename: Tinker
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gray
mesh_terms: D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D006801:Humans; D017847:Patellar Ligament / Q000637:transplantation*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous