Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of isokinetic and isotonic rehabilitation programmes in patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Thirty patients who had undergone anterior ligament reconstruction after sports injuries took part in the study. Rehabilitation was preceded by a Cybex 340 test at 60°/sec knee flexion and extension. After the rehabilitation phases had been completed, the Cybex 340 test was repeated. Participants were divided into two groups. Group A underwent an isokinetic rehabilitation programme and Group B an isotonic rehabilitation programme. The 3-week isokinetic rehabilitation programme consisted of three training sessions per week. Ten different angular velocities per exercise session were used, with three to ten repetitions per angular velocity. Participants in the isotonic rehabilitation group followed an exercise programme from week nine to week twenty-four post-operative, which included three exercise sessions per week. Both groups started a proprioception programme after the second Cybex 340 test. This was continued until the proprioception programme could be followed with ease. The differences between pre- and post-test values of the two groups were analyzed by means of the standard t-test. After three weeks of rehabilitation the effect of the isokinetic rehabilitation programme differed significantly (p<0, 05) from that of the isotonic rehabilitation programme in both knee extension and flexion measurements. In conclusion, results indicated that rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is both faster and more effective with an isokinetic rehabilitation programme. Verf.-Referat