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, by Marko Dombi Athlete-Centric Care: Elevating ACL Rehab with Next-Gen Performance Tools
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, by Marko Dombi Launch of the EasyBase - Force Plate System For Rehabilitation and Sports
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, by Marko Dombi Interview with the researcher | Enhanced Paper Grip Test Project
Athlete-Centric Care: Elevating ACL Rehab with Next-Gen Performance Tools
- , by Marko Dombi
- 4 min reading time
As human performance continues to reach new heights, athletes are pushing their limits like never before. Yet, this ascent has been paralleled by an unfortunate rise in injuries—specifically ACL tears, which have increased by 26% among teen athletes in the last decade5. As the need for recovery and rehabilitation grows, clinicians find that successful outcomes depend on accurate, objective data to guide treatment and track progress.
One of the toughest calls we must face as clinicians is determining when to return an athlete back to play after a major injury, like an ACL tear. While the debate regarding optimal recovery protocols and specific re-injury risks is still ongoing, many clinicians have been incorporating performance data, like that from force plates, to aid in this decision-making process. Force plates like EasyBase are advanced tools that measure how the body generates force during activities like jumping or landing. These measurements can reveal important details about how an athlete’s body moves–identifying asymmetries between limbs that might suggest an increased risk of re-injury. While sources indicate that most athletes return to their sports within 8-12 months post-ACLR, one study showed that it can take over a year for the interlimb asymmetries to return to below 10%, and over two years for these values to return to levels observed in non-injured athletes3. Another study using force plate data from individuals who returned back to play showed that during single-leg stop jumps, the knee joint contribution to the total support moment of the involved limb partially shifted to the ankle4. This pattern of compensation that persists, despite being “cleared”, could leave the door open to re-injury down the line. Force plate data can also be used in a preventative manner, as one study was able to predict future ACL injuries based on jumping kinetics in D1 athletes2. While there are a myriad of factors that must be considered when returning an athlete to live action, many rehab specialists are utilizing data from dual force plate systems such as EasyBase to add a dimension worth understanding.
Witnessing the impact of modern technology on the standard of rehabilitation has impressed me as a physical therapist, both through the lens of efficiency and quality of care provided. Experiencing the hustle of a busy clinic myself, I’ve found Meloq’s devices to be a game-changer for streamlining data collection and saving time. Using the EasyAngle, for instance, allows me to quickly assess a patient’s range of motion with greater precision. Because I’m not fumbling with a traditional goniometer, I can focus more on guiding the patient through the movement safely, leading to more accurate and reliable results. Similarly, EasyForce makes taking strength measurements more ergonomic, eliminating the struggle when attempting to provide counter forces with a conventional push-type dynamometer.
Integrating cutting-edge technologies into rehabilitation isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity for providing the best care possible. From tracking subtle changes in performance to reducing the risk of re-injury, the devices designed by Meloq are helping clinicians like me optimize outcomes. As the industry continues to evolve, the tools we use must evolve with it, ensuring that every athlete has the best chance at a full recovery and return to peak performance.
Key Takeaways:
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Force plates like EasyBase can identify movement system imbalances & compensation patterns, which may predict future injuries in athletes.
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EasyAngle and EasyForce augment the efficiency and accuracy of data collection, likely improving outcomes in rehabilitation.
– Matt Stefurak, PT, DPT
matthew.stefurak@meloq.se
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-stefurak-pt-dpt-344821303/
References
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Labban W, Manaseer T, Golberg E, et al. Jumping into recovery: A systematic review and meta-analysis of discriminatory and responsive force plate parameters in individuals following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction during countermovement and drop jumps. J Exp Orthop. 2024;11(2):e12018. Published 2024 Apr 2. doi:10.1002/jeo2.12018
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Pontillo M, Hines S. M., & Sennett B. J. (2021). Prediction of ACL injuries from Vertical Jump Kinetics in division 1 collegiate athletes. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.18819
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Jordan M. J., Challis G, Morris N, et al. (2020, March 9). Assessing vertical jump force-time asymmetries in athletes with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury. Aspetar Sports Medicine Journal. https://www.aspetar.com/journal/viewarticle.aspx?id=490
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Ma, W., Pan, C. Y., Diehl, L. H., Wittstein, J. R., Riboh, J. C., Toth, A. P., Amendola, A., Faherty, M. S., Killelea, C., Le, D. T., & Sell, T. C. (2022). Altered lower extremity biomechanics following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction during single-leg and double-leg stop-jump tasks: A bilateral total support moment analysis. Clinical Biomechanics, 91, 105533. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2021.105533
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Minjares, V. (2023, November 27). Analysis: Serious knee injury among teen athletes grows 26%. Project Play. https://projectplay.org/news/2023/11/22/analysis-serious-knee-injury-among-teen-athletes-grows-26
