Effects of rehabilitation program on functional scores and isokinetic torques of knee medial plica-operated patients

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a 12-week rehabilitation program on functional scores and isokinetic torques of the knee joint in patients with an arthroscopic excision to the medial plica. Twenty-eight young individuals 16 men and 12 women aged 20.4 (± 3.21) and 21.0 (± 1.41) years, respectively. The independent variables in this study were knee sides (involved and uninvolved) and times (pre-test and post-test). The rehabilitation program consisted of physical and exercise therapies. The latter composed of a warm-up, work-out, and cool-down. The work-out was followed by 1 st phase (1 day∼ 2 weeks), 2 nd phase (2∼6 weeks), and 3 rd phase (6∼12 weeks). The results indicate that 12 weeks post-operatively the Lyslome and Tegner scores were almost fully normalized. Furthermore, both score and level which related to knee discomfort and functional activity were improved within the abovementioned program compared to a 6-week rehabilitation program. Especially, the Lysholm knee score and Tegner activity levels of female group were higher than those of male group around 12 weeks. Such a result suggest that the both scores in the male group were pitched at too low levels compared to those of female group at the baseline. However, the scores of male group improved and were close to the levels of female group after 12 weeks. The isokinetic extensor absolute and normalized PT at 180 ◦ /s in the involved side of both groups, were significantly lower compared to the sound side at 6 week but were normalized at the termination of the program. At 60 ◦ /s the findings of the male group were still not significant. We think that these results were affiliated with pre-status of males' symptom or activity level. However, in spite of the inter-gender differences there was a general improvement following 12 weeks. It is concluded that a 12-week rehabilitation program can reduce knee discomfort, improve knee functional activity, and enhance isokinetic torques of the major muscles following excision of the medial plica.