The benefits of wearing a compression sleeve after ACL reconstruction

Purpose: It was the purpose of the present study to examine the possibility of increased muscle coordination after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) re construction through the wearing of a compression sleeve. Methods: Thirty-s ix patients were studied who had undergone unilateral ACL reconstruction at least 12 months previously. All subjects were required to perform a 10-cm standing drop jump from an elevated platform onto a force plate, to land on one leg, and thereafter maintain a one-legged balance for 25 a. This task was repeated three times without and three times with an elastic compressio n sleeve worn on the reconstructed limb. For analysis, the task was partiti oned into a landing phase (150 ms), an adjusting phase (10 s), and a balanc ing phase (10 s). The peak impact loadings were measured in each direction (Fx, Fy, and Fz) during landing, while force-time integrals (intFz, intFy, and intFz) and root mean square (RMS) error of these forces were calculated for the adjusting and balancing phases. The path length and RMS of the cen ter of pressure coordinates (Ax and Ay) were obtained for the adjusting and balancing phases combined. Results: Drop landings with the bandage produce d significantly larger (P < 0,001) peak ground reaction forces in the verti cal and anteroposterior direction, suggesting increased subject confidence in their knee. Wearing the knee bandage also enabled the patients to reduce all measured parameters in the anteroposterior direction (rmsFx, intFx, rm sAx) during both the adjusting and balancing phases (P < 0.001). A signific ant reduction in the center of pressure path length further indicated an en hanced steadiness during the one-legged stance. Conclusions:Tt was conclude d that a compression sleeve improved the total integration of the balance c ontrol system and muscle coordination.