Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
Conditions
Brief summary
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a commonly performed surgical procedure for restoring knee stability in patients following ACL injuries. Despite surgical success, postoperative rehabilitation remains crucial for improving functional outcomes, addressing quadriceps strength deficits, and reducing recovery time.
Detailed description
This study investigates the combined impact of open kinetic chain (OKC) knee extension exercises and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on the functional recovery of post-ACL reconstruction patients. This randomized clinical trial involves 58 patients, divided into two groups: an experimental group receiving OKC knee extension exercises combined with NMES and a control group receiving OKC exercises alone. Functional outcomes, range of motion (ROM), and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are assessed using validated tools.
Interventions
COMBINATION_PRODUCTGroup 1 (Experimental Group - OKC + NMES)
OKC Knee Extension Exercises: Seated Knee Extensions: Resistance bands or machine, 10-15 reps, 2-3 sets. Straight Leg Raises: With or without ankle weights, 12-15 reps, 2-3 sets. Quadriceps Isometric Holds: Held for 5-10 seconds, 10 reps, 2-3 sets. Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES): Electrode Placement: Over the motor points of the quadriceps. Frequency: 35-50 Hz. Pulse Duration: 200 microseconds. Intensity: Adjusted for strong yet tolerable contractions. On-Off Cycle: 10 seconds on, 20 seconds off.
DIAGNOSTIC_TESTGroup 2 (Control Group - OKC Only
Open Kinetic Chain Knee Extension Exercises without NMES. Method & Details: The same OKC exercises as the experimental group but without NMES. All exercises are supervised by trained physiotherapists.
Sponsors
Superior University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Both genders aged 18-45 years * Subjects who have undergone unilateral primary ACL reconstruction surgery * Subjects who are exactly 4 weeks post-surgery at the start of the study * Subjects who received a hamstring tendon autograft or patellar tendon graft for ACL reconstruction * Subjects cleared by a physician to begin open kinetic chain exercises in their rehabilitation program * Subjects who are generally healthy with no significant comorbidities that could interfere with rehabilitation * Willingness to provide informed consent and commit to the entire duration of the study
Exclusion criteria
* Presence of additional knee injuries (e.g., meniscal tears, collateral ligament injuries) that might affect rehabilitation * History of prior ACL injury or reconstruction on the same knee * Patients who underwent reconstruction of other ligaments along with the ACL * Presence of conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, uncontrolled diabetes) that could influence recovery * Any significant injury or surgery to the opposite knee within the last six months * Factors that indicate a high risk of non-compliance with the rehabilitation protocol, such as poor availability, or lack of commitment to follow the exercise regimen * Conditions affecting neuromuscular control that could interfere with exercise performance or rehabilitation response
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale | 12 Months | Measures knee function with a maximum score of 100. Scoring Interpretation: 95-100 points: Excellent function. 84-94 points: Good function. 65-83 points: Fair function. \<65 points: Poor function. |
| Universal Goniometer | 12 Months | Measures ROM (Flexion & Extension). Interpretation: Knee flexion and extension are assessed against standard angles. Higher reliability and validity in measuring knee movement. |
Countries
Pakistan
Outcome results
None listed