title: Dynamics of the increase in strength and girth of quadriceps muscle after the reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reconstruction is the method of choice in the treatment of ACL rupture. Postoperative rehabilitation is a very important aspect of therapeutic management. One of priority elements is to regain proper strength and function of the quadriceps muscle in a short time. The aim of this study was to estimate the dynamics of the increase in strength and girth of quadriceps after ACL reconstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  The examined group consisted of 30 patients who had undergone arthroscopic assisted quadruple bundle dual channel ACL reconstruction surgery in years 2010-2011. The average age of the patients at the time of operation was 31.7 years (range 17-53). Each patient was examined 4 times: before the surgery as well as in the second, sixth and twelfth week after the reconstruction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Examination revealed a significant increase in quadriceps girth, with peak increase rate observed within the two first weeks after the surgery. Between weeks 2 and 6, a decrease in quadriceps girth was observed followed by repeated increase worm week 6 on. The greatest increase in the girth at the thickest point of the muscle was observed in rehabilitation weeks 6 through 12. A significant decrease in muscle strength was observed in the first 2 weeks after the surgery. In the remaining periods, the strength of the quadriceps muscle continued to grow. The average KSS score increased from 109.1 at week 2 to 162.3 at week 12 after the surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rehabilitation results in a dynamic increase in the strength of quadriceps between weeks 6 and 12 following reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament. However, the 12-week rehabilitation period is not sufficient to regain full functionality.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jarmuziewicz
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland.
authors.forename: Sławomir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Snela
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland.
authors.forename: Arkadiusz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bielecki
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dudek
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bazarnik-Mucha
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000209:etiology; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D009929:Organ Size; D011184:Postoperative Period; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012421:Rupture; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult