PDA

View Full Version : Early exercises after ACL


Danny
23-04-2005, 01:18 PM
......Isometric quadriceps exercises and straight leg raises can be safely prescribed during the first two postoperative weeks and confer advantages for faster recovery of knee range of motion and stability. It remains to be proven whether the magnitude of differences between groups is clinically significant


Australian Journal of Physiotherapy
Abstracts - Volume 51, No 1, March 2005

Shaw T, Williams MT and Chipchase LS (2005): Do early quadriceps exercises affect the outcome of ACL reconstruction? A randomised controlled trial. Australian Journal of Physiotherapy 51: 9–17

A prospective, blinded, randomised controlled trial investigated the effectiveness of quadriceps exercises following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. A treatment group (Quadriceps exercise group) performed straight leg raises and isometric quadriceps contractions throughout the first two postoperative weeks, and a second group (No quadriceps exercise group) did not. A battery of outcome measures assessed subjects postoperatively at day one, two weeks, and one, three and six months. A total of 103 patients (Quadriceps exercise n = 48, No quadriceps exercise n = 55) commenced the study with 91 subjects available at final follow up (Quadriceps exercise n = 47, No quadriceps exercise n = 44). Performance of quadriceps exercises significantly improved a number of knee flexion and extension range of motion measurements (p = 0.01 to 0.04). No significant differences were found between the two groups at any postoperative period for quadriceps lag (p = 0.36), functional hop testing (p = 0.49 to 0.51), isokinetic quadriceps strength (p = 0.70 to 0.72), the majority of numerical analogue scores (p = 0.1 to 0.94) and Cincinnati scores (p = 0.10 to 0.84). Subjects performing quadriceps exercises reported significantly higher pain scores with exercise on the first postoperative day (p = 0.02). At six months postoperatively, the Quadriceps exercise subjects reported significantly more favourable Cincinnati scores for symptoms (p = 0.005) and problems with sport (p = 0.05). While average knee laxity was not significantly different between treatment groups over time (p = 0.27 to 0.94), quadriceps exercise performance was associated with a significantly lower incidence of abnormal knee laxity. Isometric quadriceps exercises and straight leg raises can be safely prescribed during the first two postoperative weeks and confer advantages for faster recovery of knee range of motion and stability. It remains to be proven whether the magnitude of differences between groups is clinically significant.

Alla
23-05-2005, 09:21 PM
Hi there,

I had an ACL reco about 3 weeks ago and was prescribed these exercises..... problem is I cannot do a straight leg raise... .I dont think my quad muscle is strong enough to do it.... I cant lift my heal off the ground/bed when I try to do them.... it is very frustrating.... can anyone suggest anything.. or am I just going to have to wait it out till I have some quad to do the exercise?

Alla

injuryupdate
24-05-2005, 11:01 AM
Try static quads contractions until you have the strength to do a straight leg raise. It will come back eventually.

Alla
25-05-2005, 03:06 PM
Thanks heaps....

mplawssix
22-02-2008, 11:03 AM
Can you recommend some programs for building six pack abs (http://www.squidoo.com/get6packabs)?

I'm a novice muscle builder and want to compile as much info as possible.

alan
22-03-2008, 09:40 AM
hi, i am 2wks from surgery for right knee acl reconstruction from the hamstring, a micro pick. on the mcl ?, and an opening wedge ? oste....couldn't read the rest, i am into pre -op exercises posted material is better then my physo thank you, alan

ange1os
06-07-2008, 11:23 AM
alla,
try getting some1 to lift ur heel up and u get ur leg used to the excercise. if they slowly release the holding of ur heel ur quad will eventually trigger. muscular atrophy is common post op. focus on tensing ur quad.
a good excercise to do which u probably already do is lye flat on ur bed and place two pillows under your heel. Try to press ur knee into the ground using ur heel and ur quads, people will try to use their gluts(dont) but this helps with quad strength and eventually u'll get there. week 1 I was having the same problems. but its more time then anything i reckon, dont try to speed up ur recovery. if it hurts, stop.