Exercises are given for the symptoms of knee edema, knee range of motion, and quadriceps
reflex inhibition in the acute period after anterior cruciate ligament surgery. In recent
years it has been shown that the different focuses when explaining exercises to patients
affect exercise performance and rehabilitation outcomes. It has been shown that the
increase in performance of some exercises that require strength and power, such as long
jump and sprint, especially with the applied external focus (the method of focusing on
the result of the movement). However, it has been shown that there is an increase in
muscle activation with internal focus (focusing on the muscles that reveal the movement).
There is no study examining the effects of focusing differences on the exercise program
given after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, especially on muscle activation
after knee reflex inhibition.
30 individuals between the ages of 18-and 30 who had undergone anterior cruciate ligament
reconstruction for the first time will be included in the study. The first evaluation
will be performed and rehabilitation will begin in the first week after surgery. Patients
who were taken into rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament surgery will be
distributed into two different groups by the block randomization method. The same
structured exercise program will be applied to the patients in both groups. Only the
commands given during the exercise will be different.
Group 1: Internal Focused Exercise: E.g; While describing the knee pressing exercise
(quadriceps isometric) in the long sitting position, the command "press your knee towards
the bed by squeezing your thigh muscle" will be given by showing the muscle.
Group 2: External Focused Exercise: E.g; While describing the knee pressing (quadriceps
isometric) exercise in the long sitting position, the command "press the towel/cloth that
we put under your knee and compress your knee" will be given by showing the towel.
Patients will be followed under the supervision of a physiotherapist in the clinic 2 days
a week and exercise progression will be provided. On the other days, the exercises will
be continued as a home program. In order for the patients to comply with the exercises
more easily and to be reminded easily, an exercise brochure will be given to the patients
with the commands written and the exercises explained with pictures.
The last measurements will be performed at the end of one month after surgery.