Affiliations: [a] Department of Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Beni Suef University, Beni Suef, Egypt
| [b] Department of Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders and its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| [c] Physical Therapy Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| [d] Vice Dean for Education and Students affairs, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Deraya University, New Minya, Egypt
| [e] Department of Physical Therapy for Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, October 6 University, Giza, Egypt
| [f] Department of Rehabilitation, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Noha Fekry Mahmoud, Neighborhood 2, District 5October 6 City, Cairo 1133, Egypt.
E-mail: nfmahmoud@pnu.edu.sa.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are considered to be among the most disabling knee injuries. The proprioception function affected due to ACL injuries results in functional instability as neuromuscular control is altered in consequence. PURPOSE:To compare proprioceptive training outcomes following ACL reconstruction with and without stump removal. METHODS:Thirty male patients received a three months rehabilitation program, including an integral proprioceptive training component, after having autogenous hamstring tendon ACL reconstruction. Fifteen patients had done stump shaving technique (group A), and fifteen patients with stump preservation (group B). Mean age was (32.87±7.51 years) for group A and (31.53±6.46 years) for group B. Clinical evaluation included functional performance measured by Lysholm scale, dynamic balance measured by Biodex balance system test (overall stability index), and sense of position measured by active and passive repositioning tests (absolute angular error) on Biodex system 3 isokinetic dynamometer. RESULTS:No significant differences were detected for active and passive repositioning tests and overall stability index of affected and non-affected legs between groups. Moreover, Lyshlom scores between both groups revealed no significant difference. Pairwise comparisons of affected and non-affected legs within either groups were also non- significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION:Proprioceptive training after arthroscopic ACL reconstruction showed similar effects on function, dynamic balance, and sense of position in patients operated by stump shaving or preservation techniques.
Keywords: ACL reconstruction, proprioceptive training, balance, residual stump, joint position sense