Strength training in postoperative rehabilitation of Anterior Cruciate Ligament: a review

Abstract

Post-surgery anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation protocols are undergoing studies and modifications. In order to minimize muscle weakness and atrophy, strength training is being used even in the early post-intervention stages. Of the different types of training of this capacity, better results in terms of safety and functional rehabilitation have been verified with the use of closed kinetic chain exercises. Of the different types of contraction regimens used, the isometric contraction exercises applied in the first stage of the rehabilitation have shown positive results, whereas after this stage the eccentric muscular training is the one that has shown better results to reverse the sarcopenia and dynapenia associated with this type of surgical interventions, resulting in a better and faster functional rehabilitation and quality of life of the patient.