Dr. Grossfeld wants her patients to stay informed on the latest research that becomes available. Many patients that come in needing an ACL repair surgery fear the possibility of weakening the uninjured leg while healing. This common concern has prompted researchers to analyze and study this issue.
An excellent study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine in December, 2015 specifically looked at the question, “Does the non-injured leg after an ACL injury and subsequently surgery become weak?”
The researchers out of the University of Seoul, Korea, with the lead author of Dr. Chung, found that patients with ACL injuries of one leg also experienced significant weakness that occurs to the non-injured leg. Their conclusion of the study was in addition to rehabbing the injured leg, the non-injured leg must undergo rehab, too.
What they found is that by 24 months after ACL reconstructions, the isokinetic extensor muscle strength and functional status of the contralateral leg fell, but both measurements improved significantly as the follow up time progressed. It is important to not only strengthen the surgical/injured knee with the ACL injury, but also the contralateral leg.
For those that may be undergoing ACL surgeries in the future, remember that this is a process. This information has proven that it is not only important to strengthen the injured leg, but this will also be required for the uninjured leg as well. Try to not get discouraged during this rehabilitation journey. Because this process requires double rehabilitation, it may be slow, painful and difficult at some times. Just remember that this process will help get you back on your feet and possibly on the playing field or court!
More Information
For more information about treatment of ACL injuries and the latest research, check out more blog posts from Dr. Grossfeld. After reading up on this material, if you still have questions, comments or concerns, call 502-212-2663 to make an appointment with Dr. Grossfeld today!
Recent Comments