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Lower body positive-pressure exercise after knee surgery.
Robert K Eastlack1, Alan R Hargens, Eli R Groppo
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California-San Diego, 200 West Arbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92103, USA.
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
|February 3, 2005
Summary
Lower body positive pressure exercise safely reduces joint impact and pain after knee surgery. This technique facilitates postoperative gait by unloading lower extremities during rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Sports Medicine
- Physical Therapy
Background:
- Lower body positive pressure (LBPP) technology unloads lower extremities during treadmill exercise.
- Postoperative rehabilitation often involves managing gait mechanics and pain after knee surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the preliminary feasibility of LBPP exercise as a rehabilitation technique.
- To examine the effects of LBPP exercise on gait mechanics and pain postoperatively.
Main Methods:
- Fifteen patients underwent LBPP exercise (normal, 60%, 20% body weight) post-arthroscopic meniscectomy or anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
- Collected data included ground reaction forces, electromyography, knee range of motion, and visual analog scale pain scores.
Main Results:
- Ground reaction forces significantly reduced at 60% (42%) and 20% (79%) body weight.
- Knee range of motion decreased only at 20% body weight post-meniscectomy.
- Pain relief was significant after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with LBPP ambulation.
Conclusions:
- LBPP exercise effectively reduces joint loading during postoperative gait.
- This technique safely facilitates ambulation and offers pain relief in knee surgery rehabilitation.
Keywords:
Non-programmatic