Changes in muscular activity after knee arthrotomy and arthroscopy

Rehabilitation after autologous chondrocyte implantation in athletes

Over the years a variety of cartilage restorative procedures have been developed for athletes to address focal, full-thickness cartilaginous defects in the knee joint, including microfracture, osteochondral autografts, osteochondral allografts, autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), and most recently, next-generation ACI involving scaffolds or cell-seeded scaffolds. Since its introduction, ACI has yielded some very promising results in athletes and nonathletes alike. Rehabilitation following ACI requires an in-depth understanding of joint mechanics, and knowledge of the biologic and biomechanical properties of healing articular cartilage. A patient-, lesion-, and sports-specific approach is required on the part of the trainer or physical therapist to gradually restore knee joint function and strength so that the athlete may be able to return to competitive play. This article reviews the rehabilitation protocols for injured athletes following an ACI procedure.

Autologous chondrocyte implantation postoperative care and rehabilitation: science and practice

Autologous chondrocyte implantation is an advanced, cell-based orthobiological technology used for the treatment of chondral defects of the knee. It has been in clinical use since 1987 and has been performed on 12 000 patients internationally; but despite having been in clinical use for more than 15 years, the evidence base for rehabilitation after autologous chondrocyte implantation is notably deficient. The authors review current clinical practice and present an overview of the principles behind autologous chondrocyte implantation rehabilitation practices. They examine the main rehabilitation components and discuss their practical applications within the overall treatment program, with the aim of facilitating the formulation of appropriate, individualized patient rehabilitation protocols for autologous chondrocyte implantation.

Single-versus two-incision technique in anterior cruciate ligament replacement: influence on postoperative muscle function

The purpose of this study was to find out whether the single-incision technique for anterior cruciate ligament repair has advantages over the two-incision technique in terms of muscular function up to 1 year postoperatively. Twenty patients who underwent unilateral anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with bone-patellar tendon-bone autografts were randomly assigned to one of the two procedures. Both groups (10 patients in each) were followed up at 1 year. Lysholm and International Knee Documentation scores and thigh circumferences were markedly reduced after surgery in both groups but improved up until the last follow-up examination at 12 months postoperatively. Clinical examination, functional scores, stabilometry measurements, and thigh circumferences did not differ between the two groups. Isokinetic evaluation revealed a significant reduction of extensor peak torques in both groups that was most pronounced at 3 months, then improved continuously but was still present 12 months postoperatively. A significant reduction of peak torques, up to 35%, was seen in the flexor muscles of the involved legs compared with the contralateral legs, but this deficit vanished completely after 12 months in both groups. At 3 and 6 months, for the flexor as well as the extensor muscles, the deficits in peak torque on the injured sides were found to have improved faster in the single-incision group. These results indicate improved dynamic muscle function with use of the single-incision technique because the dissection of the vastus lateralis muscle that occurs in the two-incision technique is avoided.