Effectiveness of Rehabilitation After Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction Using Inertial Exercises

Summary

The primary aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of two rehabilitation protocols for patients following ACL reconstruction. The first group (SR) underwent standard rehabilitation, which included the following treatments:

Manual therapy: manual mobilization of the patella and fibular head Anti-swelling therapy: manual lymphatic drainage techniques Compression and cryotherapy Reflex therapy: clavi-therapy Kinesiotherapy: strength exercises Kinesiotaping Osteopathic techniques Myofascial release Manual scar treatment Activation of gliding movement in the knee joint; soft tissue techniques in the popliteal region Flossing Knee flexion and extension exercises in a closed and next in open kinematic chain Isometric quadriceps exercises at full extension and 45-degree flexion

In addition to the above, the second group (SR+I) performed inertial exercises, which were introduced starting from the fifth week of rehabilitation. After 12 weeks of rehabilitation, its effectiveness was evaluated using standard tests.

The results indicate that the innovative rehabilitation protocol incorporating inertial exercises can be effectively applied in the rehabilitation of individuals following arthroscopic ACL reconstruction. None of the monitored rehabilitation effectiveness indicators in the SR+I group were inferior to those in the SR group. Moreover, certain parameters assessing rehabilitation effectiveness showed the SR+I protocol to have advantages over the SR protocol.

Conditions

• Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

Interventions

OTHER

Standard rehabilitaion after ACL reconstruction

The SR group, consisting of 12 participants, underwent a standard rehabilitation program twice a week for 12 weeks. Each session lasted approximately 60 minutes and was conducted by the same therapist. After 12 weeks of rehabilitation, effectiveness was evaluated using standard tests. Before rehabilitation involving kinesiotherapy (two weeks post-surgery), the following measurements were conducted: Height and body weight Thigh circumference measurements Assessment of muscle and tendon stiffness Body composition evaluation After the rehabilitation the following measurements and assessments were conducted: Body weight Thigh circumference measurements Assessment of muscle and tendon stiffness Body composition evaluation Evaluation of the strength of knee extensor and flexor muscles under isokinetic conditions Evaluation of knee extensor strength under inertial conditions Postural stability assessment

OTHER

Standard rehabilitaion after ACL reconstruction plus inertial exercises

The SR+I group, consisting of 12 participants, underwent a standard rehabilitation program twice a week for 12 weeks including inertial exercises. Each session lasted approximately 70 minutes and was conducted by the same therapist. Subjects also performed inertial exercises from the fifth week of rehabilitation. These exercises were conducted on an InerKnee. The inertial exercises protocol included: knee extension exercises performed in a seated position for the operated leg, 4 sets of exercises, each lasting 15 seconds individually, adjusted resistance to maintain a 1-second extension cycle, passive rest periods of 2 minutes between sets After 12 weeks of rehabilitation, effectiveness was evaluated using standard tests the same as in SR group.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Poznan University of Physical Education

  collaborator OTHER

• University in Zielona Góra

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-04-02

Primary Completion

2023-02-28

Completion

2023-02-28

Countries

• Poland

Study Locations