Rehabilitation after Menisectomy in Elite Soccer Players

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of systemic and appropriate rehabilitation after menisectomy. METHOD: We reviewed the medical records of 13 patients who had been in rehabilitation program after menisectomy. We measured the range of motion of the knee joint, pain intensity by visual analogue scale (VAS) score, the difference of thigh circumference between normal and menisectomied legs, and strength of flexors and extensor of the knee and functional tests before and after rehabilitation. RESULTS: Range of motion, VAS score, thigh circumference, strength of flexors and extensors of the menisectomied knee were significantly different before and after rehabilitation. Knee flexion angle increased from 76.9degrees to 135degrees and knee extension angle increased from -10.8degrees to 0degrees. VAS score decreased from 4.3 to 0.9. The difference of thigh circumference decreased from 2.80 to 0.44 cm. The torque of flexors increased from 82.88 to 120.05 Nm and that of extensors increased from 97.83 to 149.77 Nm at 60 degrees/ sec. Twelve out of 13 players performed functional activities and returned to sports successfully after systemic rehabilitation. The average duration of rehabilitation was 16.6 weeks. CONCLUSION: We suggested that systemic and appropriate rehabilitation after the menisectomy was needed for successful return to sports.