[Postoperative continuous passive motion following augmentation of anterior cruciate ligament ruptures with polydioxanone ligaments. Early results of a prospective study].

During a period of six months 30 patients underwent surgery at the St. Vincenz and Elisabeth Hospital at Mainz (Germany) because of a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). 26 persons could be examined three and six months after surgery. The surgical technique was the PDS augmented suture or the PDS augmented central third of the patellar tendon depending on the age of the rupture. All patients were rehabilitated with early exercises including CPM during the stationary phase. The influence of CPM on swelling, effusion, mobility, muscle atrophy, stability and time of after-treatment will be presented. The findings lead to the conclusion that CPM has great influence on prevention of muscle atrophy and early, unlimited mobility.