Purpose of the study: to prospectively evaluate if day surgery influences post-operative rehabilitation time in sportsmen.

Material and Methods. 122 young sportsmen underwent a reconstruction of the ACL with patellar tendon. They were randomly divided up into two groups. Group A (62 patients, mean age 28 years) Day Surgery and Group B (60 patients, mean age 30 years) staying one or two nights in the clinic. In all the same surgical technique by the same surgeon was performed. Peripheral anaesthesia was used in the majority of them. 15% of the subjects in Group A and 17% of the subjects in Group B chose general anaesthetic. The same rehabilitation protocol was applied to all of the subjects.

Results were evaluated with the IKDC form. Furthermore, the time crutches were used, the time needed in order to recover complete ROM and the time lapse from surgery to resuming running and sports activities were evaluated. The results were analysed statistically ( paired Student t test). Mean follow up 75 months.

Results. The two groups were classified according to the IKDC form:Group A: 53 A , 6 B , 3 C . Group B: 44 A , 14 B, 2 C

The time crutches were used (mean 10 days in both groups) and the average time needed for the recovery of complete mobility was 88 days in Group A and 105 days in Group B. 8% of Group A and 3% of Group B did not recover flection completely (< 5). Patients in Group A started running after an average time of 92 days, and in Group B after an average time of 110 days. 87% in Group A and 83% in Group B resumed sports activities after 161 and 179 days respectively. No statistical difference was evidenced in any parameter evaluated. 97% in group A declared that they were satisfied with the day surgery.

Conclusions and Significance. Day surgery ACL reconstruction does not jeopardize the rehabilitation time of sportsmen.