Preoperative Corrective Exercise Training in ACL Rupture: Effects on Pain, Stability, and Functional Outcomes: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of corrective exercise training in addition to routine exercises on patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. Method: 36 ACL ruptured participants were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into exercise and control groups. The exercise group (n=18) received corrective exercise training 5 days a week for 8 weeks in addition to the routine exercise program. The control group (n=18) received a routine exercise program. Demographic information, Visual Analog Scale for pain and instability feeling, Tegner Activity Scale, Lysholm Knee Scoring System, Kujala Patellofemoral Scoring System, and Functional Movement Screen evaluations were done. Evaluations were repeated before exercise training, at the end of the Results: The average age of the participants was 26.5 years in the exercise group and 28.3 years in the control group. A statistically significant difference was found between the groups in the feeling of stability and FMS total score parameters. However, no difference was found between the groups in the pain parameters, Lysholm score, and Kujala score after exercise (p<0.05). In intra-group comparisons before and after exercise, a significant difference was observed in the feeling of stability and FMS total score values in both groups, and in the same parameter, a considerable difference was found between the two groups after exercise. A significant difference was observed in pain, Lysholm and Kujala scores only in the corrective exercise group. Conclusion: Pre-operatively applied FMS-based corrective exercise therapy in patients with ACL injury led to significant improvements in pain, knee stability, function, and range of motion.