Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beyhekim State Hospital, Konya, Turkey | [b] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Meram Medical School, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey | [c] Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate knee proprioception in patients with
anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and to assess the effectiveness of
an exercise program consisting mainly of proprioception exercises addressing
pain, proprioception, and functional status following ACL reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty male patients, diagnosed with
unilateral ACL injury and scheduled for reconstruction, participated in the
study along with 16 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Arthroscopic
reconstruction of the ACL using autologous hamstring tendon was performed in
every case by the same surgeon. After the operation, a six-month
rehabilitation program was initiated. Knee proprioception, pain, and
functional status were evaluated before and six months after the
reconstruction. An isokinetic dynamometer was used to evaluate
proprioception and a visual analog scale (VAS) and the Tegner Lysholm Knee
Scoring Scale were used to evaluate pain and functional status respectively.
RESULTS: Preoperative proprioception loss was detected on the
patients' injured side when compared to the uninjured side and to healthy
volunteers (p = 0.00). A significant improvement was found in pain severity,
proprioception, and functional capacity after the postoperative six-month
rehabilitation program (p = 0.00). CONCLUSION: Preoperative proprioception loss was detected in
ACL-injured patients. The rehabilitation program predominantly consisting of
proprioception exercises provided considerable improvement on knee
proprioception and functional status.
Keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament injury, proprioception, functional status
