AUTHOR=Wen Yating , Wang Xinhong , Mao Yi , Sun Xiaolu , Xu Na , Han Xiaoqing 

TITLE=Effectiveness of an intelligent weight-bearing rehabilitation robot in enhancing recovery following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1526105

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2025.1526105

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=AimOrthopedic surgery patients frequently delay early rehabilitation due to postoperative discomfort. This is especially true for younger patients with anterior cruciate ligament injuries who are eager to return to sports after discharge. Despite the recognized benefits of early rehabilitation, a standardized protocol for determining safe weight-bearing timelines post-ACL reconstruction is lacking. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an Intelligent Weight-Bearing Rehabilitation Robot in improving recovery outcomes for these patients.DesignA retrospective cohort study comparing outcomes between individuals who received the intervention and those in the control group.MethodsNinety-two patients who underwent ACL reconstruction were chosen as subjects and separated into two groups: control and intervention, each with 46 patients, in the order of hospital admission. The control group got standard rehabilitation training, whereas the intervention group received rehabilitation training using the Intelligent Weight-Bearing Rehabilitation Robot. The intervention effects of both groups were compared.ResultsThe intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in knee joint function post-surgery compared to the control group. The mean range of motion (ROM) in the experimental group increased from 41.63 ± 5.97° pre-intervention to 55.89 ± 5.13° post-intervention, while the control group’s ROM improved from 40.65 ± 3.43° to 49.78 ± 5.27° (t = 5.635, p < 0.001). Similarly, the Health Status Score (HSS) increased from 43.07 ± 3.83 to 59.93 ± 3.30 in the experimental group, while the control group showed an increase from 43.76 ± 4.06 to 54.39 ± 4.39 (t = 6.850, p < 0.001). These findings indicate a more substantial recovery in knee joint functionality in the experimental group, suggesting that robotic-assisted rehabilitation facilitated enhanced functional recovery. Additionally, pain reduction was significantly better in the experimental group. At 24 h post-surgery, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score for the experimental group was 3.45 ± 0.96, compared to 3.98 ± 0.93 in the control group (t = −2.647, p = 0.010). At 48 h, the VAS score in the experimental group was 2.37 ± 0.49, significantly lower than the control group’s 3.09 ± 0.66 (t = −5.923, p < 0.001). By discharge, however, the difference in VAS scores between the two groups was no longer statistically significant (p = 0.096). Furthermore, the intervention group had a significantly shorter hospital stay (7.07 ± 0.83 days) compared to the control group (7.96 ± 1.01 days) (t = −4.630, p < 0.001). No complications, such as secondary fractures or deep vein thrombosis, were reported in either group during hospitalization.ConclusionUtilizing the intelligent weight-bearing robot in post-ACL reconstruction rehabilitation significantly improves knee function, reduces discomfort, and shortens hospital stay, highlighting the importance of innovation in medical rehabilitation.