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Early open kinetic chain exercises improve quadriceps strength after ACL reconstruction
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Researchers from Brazil found that early start of open kinetic chain exercises for quadriceps strengthening with a limited range of motion improves muscle strength after ACL reconstruction compared to late start open kinetic chain exercises, however, there are no significant differences in pain or function to either exercise regime.
“An early start of [open kinetic chain] OKC exercises for quadriceps strengthening in a restricted [range of motion] ROM did not differ from a late start in terms of anterior knee laxity,” Thiago Yukio Fukada, PT, PhD, and colleagues wrote in the study abstract. “The [early start] group reached the same findings in relation to pain decrease and functional improvement when compared with the [late start] group but showed a faster recovery in quadriceps strength.”
Patients in the EOKC group started quadriceps exercises with a range of motion between 45° and 90° at 4 weeks postoperatively, while the LOKC group engaged in exercises with a range of motion between 90° and 120° 12 weeks after surgery. The researchers analyzed outcomes using an 11-point numerical pain rating scale, Lysholm knee score, anterior knee laxity as well as single leg and crossover hop tests.
Both groups had improved pain and function scores at 19 weeks, 25 weeks and 17 months postoperatively compared to 12 weeks postoperatively, according to the abstract. However, the EOKC group showed a faster recovery in quadriceps strength, having significantly improved strength at all follow-up periods, where the LOKC group only started to improve at 17-month follow-up.
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.
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