The surgical treatment of acute and chronic injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is still incontinous. Different techniques and materials are used to reconstruct and repair this important structure. This causes that the kind of postoperative treatment is even inhomogeneous. Concepts of 'early mobilization' correspond to the results of basic research on pathobiomechanical effects of joint immobilization. There is a large variety on the information concerning method, success and length of rehabilitation. The final aim of our research was the development of a new rehabilitation strategy for patients in addition to out-patient physiotherapy. The reconstruction and repair of ACL is in our hospital done by an autograft of patellar tendon, 'bone-tendon-bone', in augmentation with a '3-mm-Trevira cruciate ligament prosthesis'. In our prospective, controlled and randomized clinical study 'group A' (n = 20) practiced in addition to their out-patient physiotherapy twice a week under the direction of a medical doctor and the control of a physiotherapist with the equipment of a fitness-center. 'Group B' (n = 20) passed only the out-patient physiotherapy. Both groups were examined regularly with special regard to the active motion of the knee joint, the power and the circumference of the leg. Also the 'Marschall-Tegner' and the 'Lysholm-Gilquist-Score' were determined. In our study we found that the 'New-Marburg-rehabilitation-concept' is a useful supplement to the out-patient physiotherapy. All examined data showed a clear increase in 'group A' in comparison to 'group B'.

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