Efficacy of complex decongestive therapy in managing limb swelling, pain, and enhancing functional recovery after arthroscopic reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT) in managing limb swelling, alleviating pain, and promoting functional recovery in patients following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

Method

This was a randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 160 patients who underwent ACLR at a tertiary hospital in Shenzhen between August 2021 and April 2023. The study compared the outcomes of conventional nursing care with complex decongestive therapy (CDT). The differences in leg circumference, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores, and Active Range of Motion (AROM) were assessed at six time points during the perioperative period and up to 30 days post-surgery.

Results

This study included 69 patients in the experimental group and 64 patients in the control group. After one month of treatment with CDT, significant differences in calf circumference were observed between the experimental and control groups on the 3rd (t = −2.083, P = 0.039) and 5th (t = −2.078, P = 0.040) postoperative days. Regarding changes in central patellar circumference, a significant difference was noted on the 5th postoperative day (t = −2.092, P = 0.038) in the experimental group. However, no significant differences in thigh circumference were observed at any of the six time points (P > 0.05). Visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores were significantly different on the 1st (t = −1.978, P = 0.048) and 3rd (t = −2.530, P = 0.011) postoperative days. Lysholm scores showed a significant difference between the groups on the 30th postoperative day (t = −3.438, P = 0.001), with no significant difference observed before surgery (P > 0.05). Significant differences in AROM were found on the 14th (t = −3.919, P = 0.000) and 30th (t = −2.615, P = 0.009) postoperative days.

Conclusion

CDT can effectively reduce limb swelling on the 3rd and 5th postoperative days, alleviate pain on the 1st and 3rd postoperative days, and enhance joint functional recovery on the 14th and 30th postoperative days.