Rehabilitation after Posterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture

Abstract

Ruptura stražnjeg križnog ligamenta uzrokuje bol, nestabilnost i smanjenu funkcionalnost, a najčešće nastaje zbog direktne traume ili sportskih ozljeda. U radu su prikazani anatomski i biomehanički aspekti ligamenta, uzroci i učestalost ozljeda, dijagnostičke metode, te mogućnosti konzervativnog i kirurškog liječenja. Naglasak je stavljen na rehabilitacijski proces koji uključuje fizikalne čimbenike kao što su elektroterapija, terapijski ultrazvuk, hidroterapija i krioterapija, s posebnim fokusom na jačanje četveroglavog bedrenog mišića, vježbe ravnoteže i propriocepcije. Istaknuta je važnost individualnog pristupa, fizioterapijske procjene i edukacije pacijenata u postizanju potpunog funkcionalnog oporavka zgloba koljena i povratka svakodnevnim i sportskim aktivnostima. Rad razmatra ključne čimbenike koji utječu na uspjeh rehabilitacije, poput pravovremene dijagnoze, pravilnog odabira ortoza, praćenja mišićne snage i kontrole opterećenja kroz sve faze oporavka. Posebna pažnja posvećena je razlikama između konzervativnog i kirurškog pristupa, s naglaskom na važnost strukturiranih protokola vježbanja nakon rekonstrukcije ligamenta.A rupture of the posterior cruciate ligament of the knee joint causes pain, instability, and reduced functionality, most commonly due to direct trauma or sports injuries. This paper presents anatomical and biomechanical characteristics of the ligament, causes and incidence of injuries, diagnostic procedures, and approaches to conservative and surgical treatment. The focus is on the rehabilitation process, which includes physical modalities such as electrotherapy, therapeutic ultrasound, hydrotherapy, and cryotherapy, with emphasis on strengthening the quadriceps muscle, balance training, and proprioception. The importance of an individualized approach, physiotherapeutic assessment, and patient education is highlighted as essential for achieving full functional recovery of the knee and a safe return to daily and sports activities. The paper examines key factors influencing the success of rehabilitation, such as timely diagnosis, proper selection of orthoses, monitoring of muscle strength, and load management throughout all phases of recovery. Special attention is given to the differences between conservative and surgical approaches, with an emphasis on the importance of structured exercise protocols following ligament reconstruction