PROPRIOCEPTIVE TRAINING FOLLOWING ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency of proprioceptive training in patients after ACL reconstruction surgery. The study cohort comprised 35 patients with arthroscopic patellar tendon reconstruction. The patients began their kinesiotherapy from the maximum protection phase to complete restoration of lower extremity function and pre-traumatic locomotor activity level. A number of methods for functional study and evaluation of the patient cohort were applied to determine the initial status and the results at the end of rehabilitation procedures. According to the applied kinesiotherapy protocol, patients were allotted either to a control or to an experimental group. Both groups were submitted to a standardised programme enhanced by proprioceptive training in the experimental group. The results from the studies and analyses confirmed the positive effect of proprioceptive training for the reduction of congestion events and pain. A faster return to daily, professional and sports activities is achieved, which in turn improves the quality of life of patients after ACL reconstruction. Proprioceptive training is very efficient for the faster functional recovery of the lower extremity. The recovery period and necessary number of rehabilitation sessions are reduced. The early inclusion of proprioceptive training in rehabilitation protocol plays a key role for recovering to a previous level of locomotor activities.