Abstract

Background and Aim: Patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency are divided to coper and noncoper groups. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of perturbation training with traditional rehabilitation on functional tests of lower extremity and knee muscles isokinetic peak torque ratio in two groups of patients with ACL-deficient: coper and noncoper

Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, 24 patients with ACL-deficient were divided to two groups: coper and noncoper. They participated in a management plan for 4 weeks, three times a week, including perturbation exercises and traditional rehabilitation (stretching, strengthening, and endurance exercises). Lower extremity functional tests through hop tests and knee muscles isokinetic peak torque ratio were evaluated.

 Results: After 4 weeks, all the functional tests improved significantly in both groups and timed 6-meter hop test showed significant improvement in coper group with respect to noncoper grouop (p< 0.05). There was no significant difference between two groups in knee flexors to extensors isokinetic peak torque ratio but this ratio was lower and close to normal values in coper group.

Conclusion: Perturbation training with traditional rehabilitation improves functional abilities of lower extremity in both groups of coper and noncoper of the patients with ACL-deficient. Probably, the patients of noncoper ACL-deficient have chance to return in some daily activities too.

Keywords: anterior cruciate ligament, perturbation training, functional tests, knee isokinetic peak torque