Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation: A Six-Month Followup of Isokinetic Testing in Recreational Athletes

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Wilk, Kevin E.^{a; *; **} | Keirns, Michael A.^{a; ***} | Andrews, James R.^{a; ****} | Clancy, William G.^{a; *****} | Arrigo, Christopher A.^{a; ******} | Erber, Donna J.^{a; *******}

Affiliations: [a] Healthsouth Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Center, Alabama Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Center, and American Sports Medicine Institute, Birmingham, AL

Note: [*] Director of Clinical Services, Healthsouth Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, Birmingham, AL.

Note: [**] Address reprint requests to Kevin E. Wilk, PT, Clinical Director, Healthsouth Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, 1222 14th Avenue South, Suite 212, Birmingham, AL 35205.

Note: [***] Director of Sports Medicine, THEREX Physical Therapy, Denver, CO 80264.

Note: [****] Alabama Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center, Birmingham, AL 35205.

Note: [*****] Alabama Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center, Birmingham, AL 35205.

Note: [******] Director of Rehabilitation Research, American Sports Medicine Institute, Birmingham, AL 35205.

Note: [*******] Healthsouth Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation. Birmingham, AL 35205.

Abstract: Rehabilitation following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery has changed significantly in the past 5 yr. Today, rehabilitation protocols emphasize immediate motion, immediate weight bearing, and early strengthening exercises. An aggressive rehabilitation program based on the healing rate, biomechanics of the knee joint, and principles of muscle physiology is imperative for successful rehabilitation. This study reports the isokinetic muscular performance data of 100 male recreational athletes collected 6 months postsurgery. The results demonstrated statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) for all knee extension parameters, including peak torque to body weight, total work to body weight, and average power to body weight ratios at 180 deg/sec and 300 deg/sec. In contrast, knee flexion testing exhibited no significant differences in any of the above parameters. The results indicate that 6 months following anterior cruciate ligament-patellar tendon graft (ACL-PTG) reconstruction utilizing an aggressive rehabilitation program, hamstring muscular strength is equal bilaterally. However, the quadriceps continues to exhibit a 20%-25% deficit in recreational athletes.

Keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), aggressive rehabilitation, isokinetic parameters, criterion-based protocol

DOI: 10.3233/IES-1991-1107

Journal: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 36-43, 1991