Leg extension test, sEMG and vibratory stimuli to assess functional recovery following knee joint surgery

OBJECTIVE: the purpose of this study was to introduce new procedure to determine the magnitude of functional recovery after knee surgery. DESIGN: we compared the performance in the leg extension test and the response in the sEMG activity to vibration in the operated to the non-operated leg. Thirty-eight patients with knee operation and 14 healthy subjects participated in these experiments. RESULTS: during leg extension test, the mechanical power of the operated leg showed a lower value (P<0.001) than the contralateral one, while no differences were noted in the sEMG activity. The sEMG activity during vibration treatment was higher in the operated compared to non-operated leg (P<0.001). It has been suggested that the reduced motility trigger functional adaptations that are exhibited via the vibration test. CONCLUSIONS: results of our study suggest that combination of vibration and sEMG recordings may detect the impairment as well as monitoring progress of the rehabilitation programs.