Isokinetics in the assessment of rehabilitation: a case report

The purpose of this study was to quantify the rehabilitation of an English First Division soccer player by using the Cybex II Isokinetic system. The subject had received extensive injuries to the right knee during play. Isokinetic measurement permitted the objective assessment of the initial injury and the subsequent quantification of the effectiveness of the rehabilitation programme. The subject was required to repeat the same test protocol on three occasions 12, 20, and 27 weeks post-operatively. At the initial assessment bilateral comparative data provided the physiotherapist with objective rehabilitation targets based on the subject's own muscle function profile. Comparative data was also made available by testing an uninjured 'control' subject. In addition to conventional physiotherapeutic techniques, two different isokinetic devices were used in the subject's daily rehabilitative regime. On the final assessment, 27 weeks post-operatively, the subject showed a 344% increase in the peak torque of the quadriceps, and a 302% increase in the peak torque of the hamstrings. Range of movement increased from 40° to 106° and the bilateral deficit was reduced from 70% to 26% in the quadriceps, and from 52% to 16% in the hamstrings.