Open Kinetic Chain Exercises in a Restricted Range of Motion After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Background:Recent studies have shown that an early start of open kinetic chain (OKC) exercises for quadriceps strengthening in a full range of motion (ROM) could increase anterior knee laxity after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with flexor tendons. However, there are no clinical trials that evaluated outcomes of OKC exercises in a restricted ROM for pain, function, muscle strength, and anterior knee laxity at 1 year after surgery.Purpose:To determine if an early start of OKC exercises for quadriceps strength in a restricted ROM would promote a clinical improvement without causing increased anterior knee laxity in patients after ACL reconstruction.Study Design:Randomized controlled clinical trial; Level of evidence, 1.Methods:A total of 49 patients between 16 and 50 years of age who underwent ACL reconstruction with semitendinosus and gracilis autografts were randomly assigned to an early start OKC (EOKC) exercise group or a late start OKC (LOKC) exercise group. The EOKC group (n = 25; me...