Clinical Research Directory

Comparison of Low-Level Laser Therapy Versus Infrared Therapy in Grade II ACL Injury Rehabilitation

This study is being conducted to compare two commonly used physical therapy treatments, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and infrared therapy, for people with a Grade II anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury of the knee. A Grade II ACL injury is a partial tear of the ACL, which may cause knee pain, reduced movement, weakness, and difficulty performing daily or physical activities. Rehabilitation is an important part of recovery after this type of injury. Physical therapy may help reduce symptoms and improve knee function and confidence during movement. In this randomized controlled trial, participants with a Grade II ACL injury will be assigned to one of two treatment groups. One group will receive low-level laser therapy along with standard physiotherapy, while the other group will receive infrared therapy along with the same standard physiotherapy program. The low-level laser therapy group will receive laser treatment in addition to exercises used in standard physiotherapy. The infrared therapy group will receive infrared treatment in addition to the same standard physiotherapy exercises. The standard physiotherapy program includes knee range-of-motion exercises, knee isometric strengthening exercises, and light aerobic exercises. Treatment will be provided five days per week for four weeks. Participants will be assessed before treatment and again after completion of the four-week rehabilitation program. The main outcomes of the study include pain intensity and psychological readiness to return to activity following an ACL injury. Pain will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), while psychological readiness will be assessed using the Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) scale. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings will also be considered in relation to the ACL injury. The purpose of this study is to determine whether low-level laser therapy or infrared therapy, when combined with standard physiotherapy, provides greater improvement in patients undergoing rehabilitation for Grade II ACL injury. The findings may help physiotherapists and other health care providers select an appropriate adjunct treatment during ACL rehabilitation.

Do Patients With ACL Tears Demonstrate Weakness of the Soleus Muscle?

The goal of this prospective, cross-sectional study is to test the strength of the soleus muscle in participants who have a ACL tear confirmed by MRI. Previous studies have shown that the soleus muscle, which one of the muscles situated in the calf, decreases mechanical loading on the ACL. Therefore, we aim to test soleus muscle strength using a seated plantar flexor test. The main questions we aim to answer are: * Do patients with ACL tears demonstrate inter-limb soleus strength asymmetry (\>10%) * Do patients with ACL tears have soleus muscle weakness compared with uninjured (normative) participants? * Do changes in soleus strength values correlate with patient reported outcomes and stability, as measured by the IKDC questionnaire? To achieve this the VALD force frame will be used as the testing device for plantar flexor strength testing. This device records the force generated by the movement. This will be repeated three times on each leg as part of the testing procedure. Furthermore, as part of the testing procedure participants will be required to fill out an IKDC form to assess their knee stability. Interrater reliability of the force frame will be investigated. Further data from participants without ACL tears will be used to compare results. Thus allowing us to see if people with ACL tears have a weakness in the soleus muscle.