Knee Extensor Rate of Torque Development Before and After Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy, With Analysis of Neuromuscular Mechanisms

Reviewed by Tyler Tice, PT, DPT, OCS, ATC

Introduction:

Arthroscopic partial meniscectomies (APM) are a minimally invasive surgical procedure that is used to reduce or even eliminate the symptoms associated with a meniscus injury. It is common for patients to return to normal recreational activities with very little supervised rehabilitation through physical therapy. However, it is becoming increasingly clear within current evidence that patients who undergo meniscectomy surgeries demonstrate significant quadriceps atrophy, quadriceps inhibition, and strength. Although muscular strength and hypertrophy are common goals of physical therapy after APM, the rate of torque development (RTD) is a metric that is often overlooked in its significance for performing recreational activities and as result many patients maintain a low RTD even 5 weeks post-op. The importance in RTD after APM has not been widely studied and was theorized by the researchers to be heavily linked to patient reported outcomes after surgery because of its role in performance of recreational activity.

Methods:

The study included 20 participants undergoing APM. Participants were excluded from the trial if they had a current or recent other knee ligament injury, recent lower extremity fracture, BMI of 40kg/m2, or inability to perform an MRI. Each participant underwent MRI imaging to determine muscle volume, EMG analysis of quadricep activation, muscle contraction speed testing, knee extension maximal voluntary isometric contraction testing, RTD testing, and voluntary activation completeness.

Conclusions of the Study:

Researchers concluded that there were several factors that contributed to the RTD deficits seen after APM. Maximum strength and the time it takes for the participant to reach maximal strength accounted for roughly 10-15% of the between limb deficits seen in patients after APM. Deficits in neuromuscular control of the quadriceps were a predicted contributor to the slowed RTD seen in APM patients. It was also noted that although a participant may be able to restore quadricep muscle volume and absolute strength after surgery, it does not correlate with a return to previous RTD and deficits in RTD were similar at 2 weeks and 5 weeks post-op to pre-surgical measures. Participants with greater side-to-side differences were associated with worse patient related outcomes, however due to the smaller size of this study and limited scope of time utilized to see patient outcomes these results should be interpreted with caution until a larger study is conducted with the same results.

Clinical Implications:

Quadriceps strength and knee extension range of motion are key aspects of rehab for most post-op knee related patients. However, what is often not considered is the RTD which can be significantly lacking after APM and potentially other arthroscopic surgical interventions. Normal recreational and activities of daily living require a great deal of rapid muscle activation to perform them well. Therefore, it is advised based on the evidence in this study to incorporate rapid knee extension based movement into patient’s rehabilitation program whenever it is appropriate in order to improve RTD. Incorporating knee extension focused power, plyometric, and agility movements, while also promoting quadriceps absolute strength and hypertrophy, could improve patient related outcomes within the first 5 weeks post-op as long as the exercise selection is appropriate for the patient’s goals. However, further investigation is needed in order to determine if there are long term deficits in RTD in APM and other arthroscopic surgical patients that can be addressed by incorporating power, agility, and plyometric training earlier in rehabilitation.

Reference

Cobian, D. G., Koch, C. M., Amendola, A., & Williams, G. N. (2017). Knee extensor rate of torque development before and after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy, with analysis of neuromuscular mechanisms. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 47(12), 945–956. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2017.7310

Coper Classification Early After ACL Rupture Changes with Progressive Neuromuscular and Strength Training and is Associated with Two-year Success: The Delaware-Oslo ACL Cohort Study

Reviewed by Austin Mowrey PT, DPT

Introduction:

ACL injuries are one of the most common sports-related injuries. After someone suffers an ACL injury they can be classifies as either a coper or non-coper.  The term “coper” is utilized to describe someone that can return to prior levels of activity after an ACL rupture without dynamic instability. Previous studies have shown that you are classified as a coper or non-coper based on the Knee Outcome Survey- Activities of Daily Living Scale score ≥80%, global rating scale ≥60%, ≥80% symmetry on the timed hop and ≤ 1 recent episode of giving was during activities of daily living. Non-copers fail to meet one of these criteria. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the consistency of early coper classification before and after 10 sessions of progressive neuromuscular training and strength testing (NMST) in athletes early after acute ACL rupture and to evaluate the association of early coper classification with two-year outcomes.

 Methods and Interventions:

This study was the primary analysis of the Delaware-Oslo ACL cohort, a prospective study evaluating athletes after ACL Rupture. 300 subjects participated in the study after the met the following criteria: unilateral ACL rupture confirmed by MRI within seven months of enrollment and regularly participated in level I/II sports prior to injury, had full knee range of motion, minimal effusion, minimal pain, and quadriceps limb symmetry index ≥70% . Participants were excluded if they had a previous injury or surgery on the contralateral knee or significant concomitant injuries.  Prior to NMST, participants were identified as copers and non-copers based on the following criteria: Knee Outcome Survey- Activities of Daily Living Scale score ≥80%, global rating scale ≥60%, ≥80% symmetry on the timed hop and ≤ 1 recent episode of giving was during activities of daily living. Non-copers fail to meet one of these criteria. All athletes participated in a 10-session NMST program over approximately 5 weeks, consisting of progressive strengthening, plyometric, and neuromuscular exercises with the goal of restoring muscle strength and neuromuscular control. After the exercise interventions, participants were re-assessed if they classified as copers or non-copers.  Success two years after ACLR or non-op rehabilitations was defined as meeting or exceeding sex and age-matched norms on the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form, no ACL graft ruptures and ≤ 1 episode of giving way within the last year.

Results:

Of the 300 athletes who enrolled in the study, 271 completed the post-training data collection. Of the 271 participants that completed the post-training data collection, 219 returned for the two-year follow up. Out of the 219 participants that returned, 93 were ACLR potential copers, 61 were ACLR non-copers, 51 were non-op potential copers and 14 were non-op non-copers.

55% were potential copers at screening and 68% were potential copers at the end of training. 45% of initial potential non-copers become potential copers post-training, while only 13% of initial potential copers become non-copers after training. About 25% of the athletes were non-copers at screening and remained non-copers at the end of training.

At the two year follow-up, 64% of the ACLR group and 74% of the non-op group were successful per the previously described criteria.  Using coper classifications at screening, ACLR potential copers had a 2.3 times the odds of success compared to the ACLR non-copers. Non-op potential copers and non-copers did not significantly differ from ACLR non-copers. Using coper classification post-training, ACLR and non-op potential copers had 2.7 and 2.9 times the odds of success compared with ACLR non-copers. The non-op non-copers had 0.51 times the odds of success compared to ACLR non-copers, however it was not statistically significant.

Conclusion:                                                                                                        

Nearly 45% of non-copers become potential copers following NMST, while conversion from potential coper to non-coper was 13%. Athletes who were potential copers post-training were more likely to have a successful two-year outcome regardless of operative management compared to the non-copers who received ACLR.

Take Home Message:

  • Coper classification can change after NMST.
  • Coper classification after a challenge to the neuromuscular system improves insight into two-years outcomes.
  • Brief prehabilitation improves long term success.
  • Dynamic stability may be more important than mechanical stability for two-year success.
  • Alternative strategies are needed for persistent non-copers.

Reference:

Thoma LM, Grindem H, Logerstedt D, et al. Coper Classification Early After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture Changes With Progressive Neuromuscular and Strength Training and Is Associated With 2-Year Success: The Delaware-Oslo ACL Cohort Study. Am J Sports Med. 2019;47(4):807-814. doi:10.1177/0363546519825500

Physical Therapy and Tension Type Headaches: A Systematic Review of Randomized Control Trials

Reviewed by Mark Boyland PT, DPT, CSCS

Physical Therapists can assist with many patient complaints, and this also includes headaches.  This review specifically focused on tension type headaches but there are several headache types.  Tension type headaches are classified as headaches which present on both of sides of the head, are non pulsing, mild to moderate intensity, don’t get worse with motion, or may be associated with nausea/vomiting depending on how long you’ve had tension type headaches.  Also, those who have tension type headaches may also present with light/noise sensitivity but not both at the same time.  Those who have tension type headaches may have at least 10 episodes per year with duration of headaches lasting 30 minutes to 7 days.  In short headaches aren’t a pleasant experience especially if they can last upwards of 7 days.  Despite our ability to classify headaches we are not exactly sure what causes them which makes treating them a challenge.  This review found exactly that, and that while there is no treatment standard in physical therapy for tension type headaches interventions that address the neck, jaw, and thoracic spine are common treatment trends.  Not having a standard of treatment provides benefits for our patients as we can customize your treatment plan based on your preferences and dysfunctions as opposed to a cookie cutter model.

This systematic review examined the available trials and found that treatments benefits were divided into short, medium, and long term.  While there was no definition provided for short term effects, medium term was defined between 8 weeks and 3 months, and long term was defined as beyond 36 weeks. Treatment interventions included manual therapy including myofascial release of cervical tissues, joint mobilization/manipulation of the cervical and thoracic spine, as well as progressive relaxation of the jaw and cervicothoracic musculature which included patient education as well as other modalities. 

With al this said many of the interventions studied had improvements in headache frequency and intensity which is again a good thing for out patients. Unfortunately due to the nature of randomized control trials and systematic reviews the quality of evidence was low for several of the randomized control trials and that no specific recommendations can be made based on their findings.  This is the joy of research.  However ,with all this said, while many can have tension type headaches, not all symptoms and dysfunctions are the same between all patients and therefore our treatments should be tailored to our patients.

Patient summary: Your therapist will likely address your neck, midback, and jaw during your sessions.  You should expect interventions to include manual therapy including soft tissue and joint mobilization will be applied.  There’s also going to be some exercises including relaxation, mobilization, and stabilization will be included. 

Dynamic scapular recognition exercise improves scapular upward rotation and shoulder pain and disability in patients with adhesive capsulitis: a randomized controlled trial

Reviewed by: Zachary Stango, SPT; Bridget Collier, PT, DPT

The act of raising one’s arm overhead is a simple motion in theory, but biomechanically, it requires a great deal of coordinated motions between a multitude of joints that comprise the shoulder complex. Of the intra-articular motions that occur during arm elevation, upward rotation of the scapula is necessary to allow for full range of motion. Adhesive capsulitis, more commonly known as frozen shoulder, is a common condition that is associated with alterations in the kinematics of the shoulder, contributing to scapular dyskinesis and variations in the amount of upward rotation noted during these motions. Decreased motion of the shoulder is associated with alterations in proprioception of the joint, possibly further contributing to the abnormal rotational movements attributed to this condition. The randomized controlled trial conducted by Mohamed et al. (2020) aimed to analyze the effects of improving awareness of scapular motions on pain, disability, and range of motion in individuals with adhesive capsulitis.

The inclusion criteria for this study consisted of patients with the inability to raise their arm above 100 degrees of scaption, with limitations in both active and passive range of motion interfered by pain. 66 individuals aged 40-60 years old were evenly split into two groups, performing their respective routines for 40 minutes, three times a week for two months while also receiving hot packs and scapular mobilizations. Baseline measurements for shoulder flexion, abduction, external rotation, and scapular upward rotation were noted using an inclinometer. The control group performed active shoulder flexion and abduction exercises, while the experimental group performing dynamic scapular recognition utilized a ViMove motion sensor system, an audible biofeedback device that was placed on the spine of the scapula. The participants performed shoulder abduction, with greater upward rotation of the scapula increasing the sound of the device, providing feedback to the participant that they are performing the desired movement.

Follow up metrics were taken at two weeks, two months, and 6 months following the procedure and the results displayed a significant improvement in upward rotation between the dynamic scapular recognition group compared to the control group at all three timelines. The range of motion values proved to be of similar results, with significant improvements of flexion, abduction, and external rotation of the experimental group noted compared to the control group after 6 months. The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index was the validated measure used to assess pain and disability of the shoulder, with scores exhibiting significant reductions in pain and disability of the experimental group compared to the control group at two weeks and two months. Through the use of the audible biofeedback device, the participants were able to receive active interpretations of their scapular kinematics, perhaps aiding in their joint’s proprioceptive ability to decrease elevation of the scapular prior to the rotational component motions needed to successfully execute full arm elevation.

Clinical Bottom Line:

The results of this trial serve as evidence that biofeedback markers can increase one’s awareness of their compensatory mechanisms and therefore, in this case, can assist in mitigating abnormal kinematics in order to restore proper joint biomechanics. Further research is needed to generalize this theory to other movements that also require a successful synchronicity of the surrounding joints, but this can be trialed as an intervention for those individuals who may respond well to a unique style of cueing.

References:

Mohamed AA, Jan YK, El Sayed WH, Wanis MEA, Yamany AA. Dynamic scapular recognition exercise improves scapular upward rotation and shoulder pain and disability in patients with adhesive capsulitis: a randomized controlled trial [published correction appears in J Man Manip Ther. 2020 Jun 10;:1]. J Man Manip Ther. 2020;28(3):146-158.

Effectiveness of Unilateral Training of the Uninjured Limb on Muscle Strength and Knee Function of Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cross-Education

Reviewed by Tyler Tice, PT, DPT, OCS, ATC

After ACL reconstruction surgery, the quadriceps muscle is commonly about 20% weaker on the surgical side than the healthy side. Recent evidence states that changes in the central nervous system can account for some of these deficits, which is why ACL rehabilitation plans need to also include strategies that address these central neural mechanisms and in turn reduce strength loss. Cross education is one such way to do this. Cross Education (CE) is the strength gain found when a patient performs a strengthening exercise program on the uninjured limb to maintain or even gain strength in the injured limb. This can be an effective strategy when a patient’s injury requires complete immobilization or has limited motion due to the recency of the injury. CE can induce structural and functional changes in the patient’s nervous system which increases their ability to activate the quadriceps muscle and thus increase its strength.

Methods:

This systematic review included 7 randomized control trials that met these specific criteria:

  • Patients > 18 years old after arthroscopic ACL reconstruction
  • Interventions used included unilateral strength, motor control, and balance training to the uninjured limb
  • Plans utilized standard protocols of rehabilitation for ACL
  • Strength testing was performed on quadriceps and hamstring muscles
  • Study was a randomized control trial or controlled clinical trial.

Individuals with other ligamentous injuries of the knee were excluded from this study. Each utilized a variety of training frequencies (2,3, or 5 times per week) and for varying total weeks of training time with 8, 24, 26 weeks total being most common. Several different measures were used among each of the studies to determine the effects of the CE through unilateral training including maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) of the quadriceps, self-reported knee function, and limb symmetry index (LSI) which is a ratio of the estimated performance of the involved limb and uninvolved limb.

Conclusions of the Study:

All the studies demonstrated a significant difference in quadriceps MVIC between participants who performed standard rehabilitation and unilateral training versus standard rehabilitation alone. The self-reported knee function measures were mostly inconclusive among all the studies, but one that determined at 8 weeks of rehabilitation there was a significant difference in knee function according to the participants suggesting a potential short term benefit to the CE. The LSI scores in studies that extended to the 24 and 26 week time frames demonstrated significant difference between groups who performed the unilateral training and standard rehabilitation and those who did not perform unilateral training. However, this measure is simply and estimation and can be significantly overestimate the functional abilities of an ACL patient at 6 months post-operation. The results of the study concluded that by including unilateral training in the participant’s rehabilitation program, the loss of strength typically experienced by the patients after an ACL reconstruction was reduced by 8.52%. This same effect has been even higher in other types of patients like those with osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis, or other limb immobilizations and therefore would be an excellent addition for most ACL reconstruction patients.

Clinical Implications:

Through stimulating the nervous system and activating the spinal nerve pathways that contribute to movement of the uninvolved limb, ACL reconstruction patients could experience a protective effect to atrophy and strength loss of the quadricep muscle on the affected side by performing unilateral training of the uninvolved limb. PTs should include this in all stages of rehabilitation, but especially in the early stages when the patient is immobilized or has restricted motion due to surgical protocols. Exercises like the single leg squats or long arc quads that require high degrees of quadriceps activation could be great options to promote this protective effect, as long as it fits within the parameters of the patient’s surgical protocol.

References:

Cuyul-Vásquez, I., Álvarez, E., Riquelme, A., Zimmermann, R., & Araya-Quintanilla, F. (2022). Effectiveness of unilateral training of the uninjured limb on muscle strength and knee function of patients with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-education. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 31(5), 605–616. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2021-0204