Question

A 20-year-old male athlete presents to a PT clinic 5 days status post allograft ACL reconstruction. The patient is independent in ambulation with crutches. He has 53 degrees of active knee flexion and 67 degrees of passive knee flexion. He lacks 10 degrees of active knee extension and 5 degrees passively. What is the MOST significant deficit on which PT should focus treatment?

A. Lack of active knee extension
B. Lack of passive knee extension
C. Lack of passive knee flexion
D. Lack of active knee flexion

Answer 1

Physical Therapy should prioritize treatment on regaining full passive knee extension for a male athlete post allograft ACL reconstruction, since it's vital for normal gait and preventing long-term issues such as flexion contracture.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most significant deficit on which physical therapy (PT) should focus treatment for a 20-year-old male athlete 5 days status post allograft ACL reconstruction is Lack of passive knee extension (Option B). The patient's current status shows a lack of 10 degrees of active knee extension and 5 degrees passively. Given that full knee extension is critical for normal gait and function, and that a deficit in passive extension can lead to a flexion contracture which is more difficult to correct over time, the priority should be to regain full passive knee extension. It's important to address the extension deficit early in the rehabilitation process to prevent long-term complications such as altered gait mechanics, which can lead to further injury. Once full knee extension is achieved, attention can then shift to improving active extension, as well as knee flexion range of motion.