Physiotherapy Management in Post ACLR Phase III with a Combination of NMEs and Exercise Therapy

Abstract

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACLR) is a surgical proce-dure aimed at restoring knee joint stability following an Anterior Cru-ciate Ligament (ACL) injury. Phase III post-ACLR conditions often cause several problems, including decreased muscle strength, limited range of motion, balance disorders, and reduced functional activity. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) and exercise therapy in phase III post-ACLR patients at ABR Physiotherapy Bojonegoro. The method used was a case study on an 18-year-old male patient, Mr. V, diagnosed with phase III post-ACLR who received physiotherapy intervention for four treatment sessions. Evaluations were conducted using Manual Muscle Testing (MMT), a goniometer, the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), and the Y-Balance Test. The results showed improve-ments in muscle strength, an increase in range of motion from 120° to 135°, as well as improvements in functional activity and dynamic balance. The combination of NMES and exercise therapy proved to have a positive effect in improving knee function in phase III post-ACLR patients. Therefore, physiotherapy interventions using NMES and exercise therapy can be used as an effective rehabilitation method to support recovery in post-ACL reconstruction patients.