title: A noninvasive biomechanical treatment as an additional tool in the rehabilitation of an acute anterior cruciate ligament tear: A case report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Conservative treatments for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears may have just as good an outcome as invasive treatments. These include muscle strengthening and neuromuscular proprioceptive exercises to improve joint stability and restore motion to the knee. The Purpose of the current work presents was to examine the feasibility of a novel non-invasive biomechanical treatment to improve the rehabilitation process following an ACL tear. This is a single case report that presents the effect of this therapy in a patient with a complete ACL rupture who chose not to undergo reconstructive surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 29-year old female athlete with an acute indirect injury to the knee who chose not to undergo surgery was monitored. Two days after injury the patient began AposTherapy. A unique biomechanical device was specially calibrated to the patient's feet. The therapy program was initiated, which included carrying out her daily routine while wearing the device. The subject underwent a gait analysis at baseline and follow-up gait analyses at weeks 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 26.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A severe abnormal gait was seen immediately after injury, including a substantial decrease in gait velocity, step length and single limb support. In addition, limb symmetry was substantially compromised following the injury. After 4 weeks of treatment, patient had returned to normal gait values and limbs asymmetry reached the normal range.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this case report suggest that this conservative biomechanical therapy may have helped this patient in her rehabilitation process. Further research is needed in order to determine the effect of this therapy for patients post ACL injuries.
authors.affiliation: AposTherapy Research Group, Herzliya, Israel.
authors.forename: Avi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elbaz
authors.affiliation: AposTherapy Research Group, Herzliya, Israel.
authors.forename: Marc S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: AposTherapy Research Group, Herzliya, Israel.
authors.forename: Eytan M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Debbi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Udi
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rath
authors.affiliation: AposTherapy Research Group, Herzliya, Israel.
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mor
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morag
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Assaf HaRofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel.
authors.forename: Yiftah
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Beer
authors.affiliation: AposTherapy Research Group, Herzliya, Israel.
authors.forename: Ganit
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Segal
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon, Israel.
authors.forename: Ronen
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Debi
keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament tear; biomechanical therapy; proprioception