Tibial translation in exercises used early in rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: Exercises to achieve weight-bearing

Abstract

Accelerated rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction involves early weight-bearing. Exercises designed to achieve weight-bearing should be effective for the neuromuscular system and protect the knee from excessive anterior tibial translation. The aim of this study was to assess the anterior tibial translation under two different body-weight shift exercises at 2 weeks post-ACL reconstruction and compare this with healthy controls. Methods Seven patients at 2 weeks after ACL reconstruction and seven controls participated in the study. Dynamic sagittal tibial translation was registered during two body weight shift exercises (from side to side and forward–backward). Results There was no significant difference in maximal translation between the two exercises in the ACL-reconstructed group. In the control group, the body weight shift from side-to-side exercise resulted in larger anterior translation compared to the forward–backward body weight shift. Conclusions Two weeks after ACL reconstruction, both body weight shift exercises can be used to train body weight acceptance.