Table 1.

Rehabilitation Protocol (Identical for Both Groups)

Rehabilitation Phases	Physiotherapy and Activities	Objectives	Criteria for Progression to Next Phase
Phase 1: Accommodation	Education/coaching Ice, elevation, and compression Isometric exercises Range of motion Gait training (no weight-bearing for 2 weeks)	Reduce pain and swelling Normalize range of motion Regain quadriceps control	No pain and swelling during activities of daily living (ADL) Flexion 90° Normalized quadriceps activity while walking (clinical evaluation by the physical therapist)
Phase 2: Rehabilitation	Stationary bike cycling Progressive knee and hip resistance training Neuromuscular training	Recovery of full range of motion Normalize muscle strength Dynamic joint stability during ADL	Full range of motion No pain or swelling during and after training sessions Equally distributed weight on the lower limbs during weight-bearing exercises with no shift of the trunk (visually assessed by the physical therapist) Ability to stand on 1 limb on a flat surface for at least 10 seconds
Phase 3: Return to activity	Knee and hip resistance training Neuromuscular training Cardiovascular training	Recovery of strength and neuromuscular control Return to activity/sport	Return to sport based on individual assessment