Presently, a progressed selection of rehab exercises as elevated Hip-Thrusts and Body Weight Squats augmented by Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Training.
Currently 7 weeks after an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACL-R) and Sutured Meniscus.
By applying a step platform under the feed, range of motion of the knee can be increased and thereby shifting the muscle work from a primary glute-based exercise into a more hamstring dominant movement pattern.
This biomechanical consideration seems of importance in ACL rehab:
As the hamstrings posterior aspect inserts on the tibia (shin bone) and fibular head, the hamstrings can impart the posterior draw force on the knee. For this reason, the hamstrings are commonly referred to as ACL agonists as it co-contracts with the quadriceps during knee extension e.g. squatting to reduce anterior tibial translation.
Because the hamstring generates considerable antagonistic force, the hamstrings emerge as the principal structure contributing to reduce knee joint laxity after ACL-Reconstruction.
So, by specific hamstrings strength and endurance training you can assist the neuromuscular control of the knee as a likely protective mechanism by functional decreasing the demand for passive-mechanical joint stability.
In the second part of the video we got some body weight squats. This has been applied and progressed cautiously so far, because of the sutured meniscus and its inherently limited healing properties.
As a rule of thumb, when the meniscus has been sutured or resected, it is recommended to have a rather delayed implementation of bodyweight exercises considering the considerable risk of long-term osteoarthritis.
In the last part of the video, you will find the trick to completely deflate the cuff before detachment, which is important for the consecutive training session.
Source:
Bryant et al. (2008) Dynamic Restraint Capacity of the Hamstring Muscles Has Important Functional Implications After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.
