A Review of Knee Rehabilitation Methods

Dr. Larry McDaniel and Callin Haar investigate which methods of rehab should be used with different types of knee surgery. The knee injuries selected for review include the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and osteoarthritis.

There have been multiple studies completed comparing two different rehabilitation techniques, but these studies do not compare more than two techniques at a time. The focus of this study will be to compare two common knee rehabilitation techniques hydrotherapy and land-based exercises. The land-based exercises include neuromuscular training (NT) and strength training (ST). Strength training rehabilitation techniques include perturbation (P), open kinetic chain exercises (OKC), and closed kinetic chain exercises (CKC).

The function of perturbation training is to apply potential destabilizing forces to the injured knee. This process will enhance the neuromuscular responses of the knee that stabilize the joint (Snyder). Open kinetic chain exercise is a non-weight bearing exercise using forces applied to the foot when the foot is not in a fixed position. This process will assist in strengthening the knee.

Closed kinetic chain exercises are weight bearing exercises with the foot placed in a fixed position (Fitzgerald). Even though there is no one best method for performing knee rehabilitation, one form of rehab training may be more effective than another. Which techniques to be used for rehabilitation depend on the post rehabilitation goals of the patient (Fitzgerald).

Findings related to the selection of various rehabilitation techniques were inconclusive. However, Silva stated that there was little difference between the end-strength of the knee when comparing the land-based to hydrotherapy. The main difference was that there was less pain in the injured knee when a person went through hydrotherapy compared to the performance of land-based exercises. The scale for the end mean of pain for a hydrotherapy patient was 15.1 with a standard deviation of 19.8. The scale for the end mean of pain for a patient going through land-based exercises was 33.4 with a standard deviation of 31.7 (Silva 7).

Fitzgerald stated that although there were no statistical facts displayed there were charts that demonstrated that the knee joint would stabilize if the patient did use perturbation training. The reason for this finding was that perturbation caused the knee to destabilize which forced muscles that were weak to become active and stronger. These muscles would then assist the related muscles in the rehabilitation process (Fitzgerald 10). Andersen found that the seated exercise that isolated on the quadriceps femoris muscle was the most effective exercise in tests performed to strengthen the knee joint. The quadricep muscles are stronger and develop faster than the hamstrings. The hamstrings are the muscles that flex, laterally or medially rotate the knee.



The results of the Engebresten study showed that the NT patients completed therapy with better overall extension. The end result for extension at 60 degrees for ST patients was 67.3 with a standard deviation of 16.1, and the NT was 79.1 with a standard deviation of 17.1. The results for flexion differed for ST patients'. The ST patients produced results for a mean of 88.3 and a standard deviation of 14.4 compared to NT patients with results at 86.3 for the mean and a standard deviation of 14.3. These results showed that NT is an effective way of training. The results were similar for knee flexion exercises; performance of the extension exercises revealed NT training to be the most effective method of rehabilitation. An additional form of rehab included tests that involved patients performing a one-legged jump and a triple jump.

The NT patients' overall score and standard deviation were lower than the ST patients. The one-legged jump scores were 84.9 +/- 10.9 for NT patients and 81.0 +/- 18.2 for ST patients. The triple jump test scores were 88.5 +/- 10.4 for NT patients and 83.1 +/- 15.4. No significant differences were found between the two forms of therapy. The neuromuscular and strength training modes of rehabilitation produced similar results.

In a table of statistical data the mean torque for the comparison between the injured and non-injured knee, the mean torque for CKC pretest was 0.31 and posttest was 0.50. The CKC standard deviation for pretest was 0.21 and posttest was 0.22. The mean torque for OKC pretest was 0.26 and the posttest was 0.47. The pretest standard deviation for OKC was 0.15 and posttest was 0.19. These statistics demonstrate that there was little difference between the open kinetic chain (OKC) and closed kinetic chain (CKC) forms of therapy. The data revealed that the results for closed kinetic chain therapy were varied but the end result was superior. The data for open kinetic chain therapy demonstrates a lower end result but this type of therapy has provided more consistent results between patients (Drechsler).

Some suggestions for safety tips related to rehabilitation using the above modalities would include gradual or graded rehabilitation of the knee. Rushing the rehabilitation process may cause damage to the knee and related joints. At the start of the rehabilitation process most exercises should be performed without weights. Applying too much pressure on the injured leg could cause the development of irritation and swelling in the knee(Fitzgerald).

In conclusion, there is no one mode of therapy that works on one certain rehab situation. The literature stated that multiple forms of therapy must be applied to completely rehabilitate the injured knee. An additional study should be performed to investigate the effects of knee rehabilitation if hydrotherapy, perturbation, and open kinetic chain therapy were combined in the process of knee rehabilitation. When combined and used correctly these forms of therapy may reduce unnecessary impact from running, stabilize the knee, and strengthen the muscles of the knee.

STAY STRONG~~!!!
IPL