The Effect of Physiotherapy on Standing Balance in Chronic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Insufficiency

Abstract

Body sway movements in the frontal plane in a single- limbed stance test were used to assess postural control in 26 patients with chronic anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency. The injured and the noninjured legs were tested before the patients were committed to physio therapy for 3 to 6 months. Follow-up tests were made after 3, 12, and 36 months. Significant disturbance of the balance of both legs was found before training, com pared with a reference group of normal subjects. Values of the noninjured leg were normalized after 3 months of training, but the injured leg still showed an increased body sway. Normal balance parameters on the injured side were found at examination after 12 months. Follow-up examination after 36 months proved persis tent normalization of the single-limbed balance on both sides.