Affiliations: [a] Department of Exercise Physiology & Prescription,
Graduate School of Health Promotion, Hanseo University, Seosan, Republic of
Korea | [b] Department of Occupational Therapy, Wooksuk
University, Wanju, Republic of Korea | [c] Department of Disease Prevention & Rehabilitation
Center, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea | [d] Research institute of Sports Science, Korea
University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Note: [] Corresponding author: Yong-Seok Jee, Department of Exercise
Physiology & Prescription, Graduate School of Health Promotion, Hanseo
University, #360 Daegok-ri, Haemi-myun, Seosan 356-706, Republic of Korea.
Tel.: +82 41 660 1028; E-mail: jeeys@hanseo.ac.kr
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a
12-week rehabilitation program on functional scores and isokinetic torques of
the knee joint in patients with an arthroscopic excision to the medial plica.
Twenty-eight young individuals 16 men and 12 women aged 20.4
(± 3.21) and 21.0 (± 1.41) years,
respectively. The independent variables in this study were knee sides (involved
and uninvolved) and times (pre-test and post-test). The rehabilitation program
consisted of physical and exercise therapies. The latter composed of a warm-up,
work-out, and cool-down. The work-out was followed by 1^{st} phase (1 day ∼ 2 weeks),
2^{nd} phase (2∼6 weeks), and 3^{rd} phase (6∼12 weeks). The results indicate
that 12 weeks post-operatively the Lyslome and Tegner scores were almost fully
normalized. Furthermore, both score and level which related to knee discomfort
and functional activity were improved within the abovementioned program
compared to a 6-week rehabilitation program. Especially, the Lysholm knee score
and Tegner activity levels of female group were higher than those of male group
around 12 weeks. Such a result suggest that the both scores in the male group
were pitched at too low levels compared to those of female group at the
baseline. However, the scores of male group improved and were close to the
levels of female group after 12 weeks. The isokinetic extensor absolute and
normalized PT at 180°/s in the involved side of both
groups, were significantly lower compared to the sound side at 6 week but were
normalized at the termination of the program. At 60°/s
the findings of the male group were still not significant. We think that these
results were affiliated with pre-status of males' symptom or activity level.
However, in spite of the inter-gender differences there was a general
improvement following 12 weeks. It is concluded that a 12-week rehabilitation
program can reduce knee discomfort, improve knee functional activity, and
enhance isokinetic torques of the major muscles following excision of the
medial plica.
