Thigh muscle strength and endurance were measured following partial arthroscopic meniscectomy of the knee in 24 patients divided into group 1 (age < 20 yr), group 2 (age 24-40 yr), and group 3 (age > 50 yr). Subjects were studied during and after release from isokinetic rehabilitation. Isokinetic testing was performed at 1.04, 2.09, 3.14, 4.19, and 5.24 radians/second, with release from rehabilitation when quadriceps strength achieved 85% recovery of the non-surgical leg.No significant difference existed among the 3 groups in days from the time of surgery to the start of the first test or for the weeks to release from rehabilitation. Approximately 50% quadricep muscle strength loss was observed at the time of the initial isokinetic test. Quadriceps torque (mean + SE) measured in newton-meters for group 1 at the 1.04 rad/sec speed showed the surgical leg significantly weaker (P<0.001) than the non-surgical leg when tested at the initial test (101.6 +18.2 vs. 189.6 +17.2) and at release from rehabilitation (157.4 +13.3 vs. 176.3 +15.2). Torque measured at the other 4 speeds reached non-significance by the second or third week of rehabilitation. Isokinetic testing for groups 2 and 3 showed surgical leg strength significantly weaker (P<0.05) at the initial test and at week 1 of rehabilitation for the 5 testing speeds, with 85% return of strength by weeks 2 or 3. Strength recovery for all 3 groups showed no significant weakness between legs for hamstring torque after the initial or after the first week of rehabilitation. Percent of knee extensor torque achieved by the knee flexor muscles of the surgical leg for the 3 groups showed significantly greater (P<0.001) values only for the initial test at speeds 1.04 and 2.09 rad/sec. Measures of total work, average power, and endurance calculated from work tests showed little change in muscle endurance between legs.These data indicate that quadricep muscle function is negatively affected following arthroscopic meniscectomy. Release from rehabilitation when surgical to non-surgical leg strength is between 85% to 90X appears to be a valid measure for most patients, which indicates age alone does not appear to be a limiting factor in regaining strength.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/177453 |
| Date | January 1986 |
| Creators | Kovaleski, John Edward |
| Contributors | Craig, Bruce W. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | vii, 92 leaves ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
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