title: A new isometric quadriceps-strengthening exercise using EMG-biofeedback.
abstract: A new isometric contraction quadriceps-strengthening exercise was developed to restore the quadriceps strength lost after knee surgery more rapidly. This study evaluated the results of this new method. Patients were taught to perform the isometric quadriceps-strengthening exercise in the unaffected knee in the supine position, and then they performed it in the affected knee. First, patients were taught the classical isometric quadriceps-strengthening exercise, and then they were taught our new alternative method: "pull the patella superiorly tightly and hold the leg in the same position for 10 seconds". Afterward, the quadriceps contraction was evaluated using a non-invasive Myomed 932 EMG-biofeedback device (Enraf-Nonius, The Netherlands) with gel-containing 48 mm electrodes (Türklab, The Turkey) placed on both knees. The isometric quadriceps-strengthening exercise performed using our new method had stronger contraction than the classical method (P < 0.01). The new method involving pulling the patella superiorly appears to be a better choice, which can be applied easily, leading to better patient compliance and greater quadriceps force after arthroscopic and other knee surgeries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Kocaeli University School of Medicine Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cumhur C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Kesemenli
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Abant Izzet Baysal University School of Medicine Bolu, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sarman
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Kocaeli University School of Medicine Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tuncay
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Baran
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Kocaeli University School of Medicine Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kaya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Memisoglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Golcuk Necati Celik State Hospital Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Binbir
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University School of Medicine Çanakkale, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yilmaz
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Savas
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Abant Izzet Baysal University School of Medicine Bolu, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cengiz
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Isik
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Abant Izzet Baysal University School of Medicine Bolu, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Boyraz
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Abant Izzet Baysal University School of Medicine Bolu, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bunyamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Koc
keywords: EMG biofeedback; exercise; quadriceps; strengthening