Early rehabilitation with weight-bearing standing-shaking-board exercise in combination with electrical muscle stimulation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

• Published in: Acta medica Okayama Vol. 66; no. 3; pp. 231 - 237
• Main Authors: Takahashi, Kingo, Hayashi, Masamichi, Fujii, Toshihiro, Kawamura, Kenji, Ozaki, Toshifumi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan 01.06.2012
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Anterior Cruciate Ligament - surgery; Electric Stimulation; Exercise; Female; Humans; Legs; Ligaments; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Strength - physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Muscles (exercise effects); Muscles (injuries); Muscles (size); Reconstructive Surgical Procedures; Rehabilitation; Stimuli; Strength; Weight-Bearing
• ISSN: 0386-300X
• DOI: 10.18926/amo/48562

The objective of early rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is to increase the muscle strength of the lower extremities. Closed kinetic chain (CKC) exercise induces co-contraction of the agonist and antagonist muscles. The purpose of this study was to compare the postoperative muscle strength/mass of subjects who performed our new CKC exercise (new rehabilitation group:group N) from week 4, and subjects who received traditional rehabilitation alone (traditional rehabilitation group:group T). The subjects stood on the device and maintained balance. Then, low-frequency stimulation waves were applied to 2 points each in the anterior and posterior region of the injured thigh 3 times a week for 3 months. Measurement of muscle strength was performed 4 times (before the start, and then once a month). Muscle mass was evaluated in CT images of the extensor and flexor muscles of 10 knees (10 subjects) in each group. The injured legs of group N showed significant improvement after one month compared to group T. The cross-sectional area of the extensor muscles of the injured legs tended to a show a greater increase at 3 months in group N. This rehabilitation method makes it possible to contract fast-twitch muscles, which may be a useful for improving extensor muscle strength after ACL reconstruction.