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Better and early recovery in ACL reconstructed elite players with addition of core stability exercises in postoperative rehabilitation program

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Abstract

Background

Role of core stability exercises in ACL rehabilitation program is not well studied.

Purpose

To study the effect of addition of core stability exercise on outcome of ACL reconstruction surgery.

Materials and methods

Ninety-two male sportspersons (18–40 years) who underwent ACL reconstruction were enrolled in the study. Sportspersons were divided into two groups depending upon the computer-generated random number sequence—group A (conventional rehabilitation; n = 46) and group B (core stabilization + conventional rehabilitation; n = 46). All sportspersons were assessed at 6, 9 and 12 months for the functional outcome (IKDC score, single hop test, triple hop test, and VAS score), return to sports, and knee laxity (KT-1000).

Results

IKDC scores were higher in group B as compared to group A at all follow-ups (p < 0.05). Similarly, single and triple hop test jump distances were wider in group B as compared to group A at all the follow-ups (p < 0.05). Incidence of return to sports was significantly higher in group B (35/45) as compared to group A (24/43; p = 0.02). Mean time to return to sports was 10.77 ± 1.7 months in group A and 9.44 ± 1.8 in group B (p = 0.006). There was no difference in knee laxity between the two groups.

Conclusion

The addition of core stability exercises in the ACL rehabilitation program results in better functional outcome and early return to sports. However, core stability exercises have no effect on knee stability.

Study design

Level III, prospective observational study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India

    Ravi Gupta, Sudhir Rana, Anil Kapoor, Bharath Patil, Varun Sachdeva & Gladson David Masih

Authors
  1. Ravi Gupta
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  2. Sudhir Rana
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  3. Anil Kapoor
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  4. Bharath Patil
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  5. Varun Sachdeva
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  6. Gladson David Masih
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Correspondence to Anil Kapoor.

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No conflict of interest for any author exist.

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This study was approved by the institutional ethical committee (GMCH, Chandigarh).

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Written and informed consent was received from all the patients.

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Gupta, R., Rana, S., Kapoor, A. et al. Better and early recovery in ACL reconstructed elite players with addition of core stability exercises in postoperative rehabilitation program. Sport Sci Health 17, 357–362 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-020-00696-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-020-00696-6

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