Japanese Study: Bracing Protocol produces 80% Healing Rate in ACLs.

Written By Bevan Colless

In this 2017 study Ihara and Kawano followed 102 patients with acute ACL ruptures. All patients were given a brace to wear to protect the knee and instructed to commence rehabilitation soon after injury. Key findings were:

  • 102 patients with ACL rupture shown on MRI were put through a bracing protocol within 3 weeks of injury.

  • At 6 months post injury 80% of patients had fully healed ACLs shown on MRI imaging

  • Exact protocol of bracing and management used is not outlined in the paper, but brace applied within first 3 weeks

  • Children seem to have poorer ability to heal than adults

  • More research and randomised control trials are needed on ACL healing

  • More details is needed on the optimum protocol for ACL healing

Bevan Colless
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