Patellar Tendon Repair Rehab: Improving Leg Strength After Surgery With Cross-Education | Phase 1

There are significant limitations with strength training after patellar tendon repair surgery. For the first 8 to 12 weeks, patients are not performing closed kinetic chain (CKC) exercises. If rehab is too aggressive, significant damage can occur to the surgical site, and too passive prolongs their functional recovery. * In phase 1, do not perform these exercises on the surgically repaired leg!

Cross-education with blood flow restriction (BFR) bands is a solution to minimize the leg's strength loss after surgery. Meta-analysis has shown a contralateral (opposite or surgical side) strength gain after unilateral training of the non-surgical side. Combining cross-training with BFR training is an excellent strategy for phase 1 rehab. Successful early rehab facilitates tissue healing and minimizes the loss of strength.

Green, L. A. and D. A. Gabriel (2018). "The effect of unilateral training on contralateral limb strength in young, older, and patient populations: a meta-analysis of cross education." Physical Therapy Reviews 23(4-5): 238-249.

Effective and efficient rehab is criterion-based, not time-based.

🔹Move Better 🔹Feel Better 🔹Live Better

Evolve Physical Therapy Sherwood
20510 SW Roy Rogers Rd. Suite 120
Sherwood, OR. 97140
P: [phone] F: [phone]

Evolve Physical Therapy Bethany
18215 NW West Union Rd, Suite B
Portland, OR 97229
P: [phone] F: [phone]

Instagram: @evolve_a4l and @evolve_a4l_bethany
Twitter: @evolve_a4l

Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program. STOP exercising if you experience any symptoms of weakness, unsteadiness, light-headedness/dizziness, chest pain or pressure, nausea, or shortness of breath.

Performing these exercises should not cause pain. If you experience pain while exercising, decrease the speed of your movement. If the pain persists - STOP. Mild soreness after exercising may be experienced after beginning a new exercise.

#shorts #physicaltherapy #physiotherapy #patellartendon #legstrength #crosseducation #legpress #bloodflowrestriction #strength

[sbybill]

That electrical cord is under stress and will break very soon.