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BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

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Open Access 01-12-2020 | Research article

Innovative rehabilitative bracing with applied resistance improves walking pattern recovery in the early stages of rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction: a preliminary investigation

Authors: Jacopo Emanuele Rocchi, Luciana Labanca, Valeria Luongo, Lorenzo Rum

Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

The use of knee braces early after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a controversial issue. The study preliminarily compares the effect of a traditional brace blocked in knee extension and a new functional brace equipped with a spring resistance on walking and strength performance early after ACL reconstruction performed in the acute/subacute stage.

Methods

14 ACL-reconstructed patients wore either a traditional (Control group: CG, 7 subjects) or a new functional brace (Experimental group: EG 7 subjects) until the 30^th post-operative day. All patients were tested before surgery (T0), 15, 30, and 60 days after surgery (T1, T2, and T3, respectively). Knee angular displacement and ground reaction forces (GRF) during the stance phase of the gait cycle were analyzed at each session and, at T3, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) for knee flexor/extensor muscles was performed. Limb symmetry indexes (LSI) of GRF and MVIC parameters were calculated.

Results

At T3, EG showed greater peak knee flexion angle of injured limb compared to CG (41 ± 2° vs 32 ± 1°, p < 0.001). During weight acceptance, a significant increase of anteroposterior GRF peak and vertical impulse from T1 to T3 was observed in the injured limb in EG (p < 0.05) but not in CG (p > 0.05). EG showed a greater side-to-side LSI of weight acceptance peak of anteroposterior GRF at T2 (113 ± 23% vs 69 ± 11%, p < 0.05) and T3 (112 ± 23% vs 84 ± 10%, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The preliminary findings from this study indicate that the new functional brace did help in improving gait biomechanical pattern in the first two months after ACL reconstruction compared to a traditional brace locked in knee extension.

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Title: Innovative rehabilitative bracing with applied resistance improves walking pattern recovery in the early stages of rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction: a preliminary investigation
Authors: Jacopo Emanuele Rocchi
Luciana Labanca
Valeria Luongo
Lorenzo Rum
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-020-03661-z

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Innovative rehabilitative bracing with applied resistance improves walking pattern recovery in the early stages of rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction: a preliminary investigation

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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