Isokinetic assessment of muscle strength following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Cardone, C.^a | Menegassi, Z.^a | Emygdio, R.^a

Affiliations: [a] Departamento de Cirurgia Geral, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Associação Brasileira Beneficente de Reabilitação, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Av. Padre Leonel Franca, 90/502, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil, CEP 22451-000. Tel.: +5521 25114778; E-mail: claudiocardone@ig.com.br

Abstract: The purpose of this prospective study was to monitor the development of muscular strength and find possible deficits in following reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament and rehabilitated by means of the accelerated protocol. Isokinetic assessments of 67 patients were conducted at 2, 4 and 6 months postoperatively. A significant increase (30%) in knee extension strength was found in the operated knee between 2 and 6 months leaving a deficit of 25% relative to the healthy knee without clinical evidence of instability. Knee flexion strength did not vary during the treatment. We conclude that knee extension strength constitutes a reasonable developmental parameter during accelerated ACL reconstruction rehabilitation.

Keywords: isokinetic assessment, anterior cruciate ligament, rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/IES-2004-0169

Journal: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 173-177, 2004