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ACL reconstruction surgery can benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the knee is very common, particular in professional athletes. This can be considered a major surgery where the torn ligament is replaced with a tissue graft.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on graft healing following ACL reconstruction.

The  HBOT protocol used in this study was “2.5 ATA, 2 h daily, for 5 consecutive days, starting from the first day after surgery” This protocol showed “improved ACL graft maturation and integration, reduced tunnel widening, and enhanced the biomechanical properties of the graft.”

Though this was an animal study, “the results may provide important insights into the potential clinical application of HBOT as a therapeutic intervention to enhance graft healing after ACL reconstruction, paving the way for further research in this area” <view study>