Accelerated rehabilitation after proximal hamstring avulsion repair is safe and effective: Outcomes from randomized controlled trial of two different rehabilitation regimes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to identify the safety and effectiveness of an accelerated (AR) versus conservative (CR) rehabilitation regimen following surgical repair of proximal hamstring tendon avulsions.

METHODS

This prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) allocated patients undergoing proximal hamstring tendon repair to either a braced, partial weight-bearing rehabilitation regime (CR = 30) or an accelerated, unbraced regime, which permitted full weight-bearing as tolerated (AR = 27). Patients were evaluated pre-operatively and at 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months post-surgery, via patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), patient satisfaction and global rating of change (GRC) scores. Objective measures, including the single (SHD), triple (THD) and triple crossover (TCHD) hop tests, were assessed at 6 months, as was peak isokinetic knee extensor and flexor torque.

RESULTS

Of the 57 patients recruited, 4 were excluded from the CR group (2 infections; 2 re-injuries). The CR group contained 57% males with a mean age of 45.6 (standard deviation [SD] = 13.4). The AR group contained 44% males with a mean age of 50.5 (SD = 11.8). Therefore, 53 patients (CR = 26, AR = 27) were reviewed at the final 6-month follow-up. Within-group analyses showed that both groups significantly improved in all PROMs (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between groups for satisfaction, GRC scores, knee extensor torque, knee flexor torque, limb symmetry indices, re-injuries or complications at 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

This RCT has highlighted the safety and efficacy of a post-operative rehabilitation pathway that includes weight-bearing as tolerated, without bracing, in patients after proximal hamstring tendon repair.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I.