A Comparison between Modified Robert Jones Bandage and Intermittent Cold Pack in Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Modified Robert Jones bandage and intermittent cold pack are commonly used for postoperative care in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). However, no study has been done to compare the postoperative pain and functional outcome of both methods in ACLR.

Objective: To compare the postoperative pain and functional outcome of a modified Robert Jones bandage and intermittent cold pack in ACLR.

Material And Method: Forty patients scheduled for ACLR were included. Computer-generated randomization allocated patients into either modified Robert Jones bandage group (MRJ) or intermittent cold pack group (ICT). Visual analog scale and morphine usage were assessed postoperatively. Blinded assessors assessed functional outcome, knee swelling, and patient’s satisfaction.

Results: There were 19 patients in each group. Two groups were well comparable for the prognostic variables. The postoperative VAS and total morphine usage in both groups were not statistically different. Postoperative knee swelling increment was significantly lower in ICT than MRJ group (p-value = 0.04). The patient’s satisfaction and positive quadriceps set test were significantly higher in the ICT group than the MRJ group (p-value <0.01).

Conclusion: Intermittent cold pack has not demonstrated the benefit of pain reduction or morphine usage when compared to the modified Robert Jones bandage, but it had significantly less knee swelling, a significantly higher patient’s satisfaction and trend to have better functional outcome. We recommend intermittent cold pack for postoperative care in ACLR.