Strength recovery and muscle activation of the knee extensor and flexor muscles after arthroscopic meniscectomy. A pilot study.

Maximal isokinetic strength and electromyographic activity of the operated leg were measured preoperatively and one, two, three, and eight weeks postoperatively after a partial medial meniscectomy by arthroscopy in a group of ten patients. Strength deficits, measured with a Kin-Com dynamometer using a static preloading protocol, were found in comparison with a group of matched healthy subjects preoperatively and three and eight weeks postoperatively in the knee extensors. These deficits were related to previously unreported modifications in the shape of the moment-angle curves and a tendency to lower activation levels of the vastus medialis (VM) but not the vastus lateralis or rectus femoris muscles. No deficits were found in the knee flexors preoperatively or three and eight weeks postoperatively, but the medial hamstrings activation level was lower for movements at 30 degrees per second. During flexion movements, the percentage of coactivation of the antagonist VM was significantly greater than healthy values at 30 degrees and 180 degrees per second. These results clearly indicate that neuromuscular recovery is not complete when return to work is advocated three to four weeks postoperatively. Such findings suggest the need for a rehabilitation program to promote recovery of the knee muscles in workers with a physically demanding occupation.