Abstract:
Background: Antigravity treadmills have been used in orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation. However, there is little literature on their use in postoperative knee rehabilitation.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of antigravity treadmill use on balance in the early stages of postoperative knee rehabilitation.
Methods: Forty-nine patients who underwent knee surgery participated in this study (study design: cohort study; level of evidence: level II). One week after surgery, each patient underwent a timed single-leg stance (SLS) test on the floor over the operated knee. After the test, patients were divided into a counter-dynamic treadmill group (AG) or a control group (CG) according to their pain level. Patients in the AG group received balance training on a counter-dynamic treadmill with pressure adjusted to a pain-free or minimal pain level once a day for at least 5 days a week. Patients in the CG group received balance training on the floor in the same manner. All patients underwent the SLS test again 2 weeks after surgery.
The article is cited in:
Effect of anti-gravity treadmill on balance ability in patients with acute osteoporosis after surgery for knee joint rehabilitation
The study included 49 patients undergoing knee surgery at knee and sports clinics. All agreed to participate and provided signed informed consent to perform timed Single Leg Stand (SLS) training on the floor at 1 week and were assigned to perform timed Single Leg Stand (SLS) training on the floor at 1 week. Anti-gravity treadmill group (AG) or control group, (CG) based on patient comfort. Those who experienced a “significant increase” in pain levels during the first balance test were placed in the anti-gravity treadmill group. Other subjects in the CG group who felt “comfortable” and had no or little pain or no or little pain experienced increased pain. Subjects in the anti-gravity treadmill group performed balance training on the treadmill every day for at least 5 days, with the pressure on the anti-gravity treadmill adjusted to painless or minimal pain a few days a week between the first and second balance tests. Minimum pain level at the beginning of each balance training session. Patients in the CG group performed balance training on the floor at least 5 days per week. During each balance exercise each day between balance tests, subjects were asked to stand on the surgical leg with the knee slightly bent, aiming to remain standing. 30 seconds. Repeat 3 times resting 30 seconds between each exercise.
Conclusion:
When patients experience increased pain during weight bearing, an anti-gravity treadmill may help restore balance.
Unloading body weight may be an effective way to perform weight-bearing exercise while reducing pain levels caused by the following factors. More research is needed to investigate the effects of anti-gravity treadmill use during acute recovery.