Physical therapy and electrical stimulation effects on patients, following anterior cruciate ligament operation, strengthening of quadriceps, knee range of motion and pain

The aim: To analyze the quadriceps muscle strength recovery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using electrical stimulation and physical therapy. Research methods: There was two randomly selected groups, with eight people in each group. The selection criteria was that the subjects had to have anterior cruciate ligament operation six weeks prior and were very active physically. One group was for research (study group), the other one for reference (control group). The study group had electrical stimulation combined with physical therapy exercises two times a week, for 45 minutes. The control group had exercises to strengthen the quadriceps muscle also two times a week, for 45 minutes. Both groups before and after the research were tested. The things evaluated during the test were - visual pain scale (VAS) scores, quadriceps muscle strength during straightening and bending using (R. Lovett) scoring system and goniometry showing degrees of straightening and bending. Results: Comparing both, study and control groups, there was statistically significant improvement (p