AVALIAÇÃO DOS RESULTADOS FUNCIONAIS PÓS-RECONSTRUÇÃO DO LIGAMENTO CRUZADO ANTERIOR EM PACIENTES ATIVOS

Abstract

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are among the most common and debilitating conditions in sports orthopedics, with significant implications for joint stability and knee function. This study aims to perform a comparative analysis between surgical and conservative treatment approaches for ACL injuries, evaluating their efficacy in restoring joint stability, the time required for return to physical activities, and the long-term complications associated with each method. Through a meta-analysis of clinical studies and systematic reviews, the functional outcomes of patients undergoing both treatments were examined. The findings indicate that ACL reconstruction surgery tends to provide a quicker and more effective recovery in terms of stability and return to sports activities, especially in young and physically active patients. However, surgery is also associated with a higher risk of long-term complications, such as the development of osteoarthritis. On the other hand, conservative treatment, including physical therapy and functional rehabilitation, has proven to be a viable alternative for patients with lower athletic demands, showing satisfactory results in knee function recovery, although with a more prolonged recovery time. The choice between surgical and conservative treatment should be based on an individualized assessment of the patient's characteristics and needs. This study contributes to the understanding of best practices in the management of ACL injuries, offering evidence-based guidelines for clinical decision-making. It concludes that both surgical and conservative treatments have their place in ACL injury management, and a personalized approach is essential to optimize long-term outcomes and improve patients' quality of life.