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Background. Although traumatic dislocation of the hip often occurs as a result of automobile accidents, dislocations have been reported to occur during sports activities. Objective. Using the experience in treating a 17-year-old high school football player with a posterior dislocation, complicated by involvement of the sciatic nerve, this case report provides background information on hip dislocations and provides a description of the immediate treatment by the physician, followed by 6 weeks of immobilization, and a detailed account of the 5-month intervention. Case Description. The patient was injured while making a tackle during a high school football game when another player fell on him from behind. The case report describes his plan of care after immediate hip reduction surgery and 6 weeks on crutches. Generally, the program utilized a progression of non-weight-bearing resistance training and stretching in the initial stages of intervention and progressed to weight-bearing activities (on land and in the pool) as the patient was able to tolerate more stress. In addition, the treatment of the sciatic nerve using electrical stimulation during treadmill walking is described. Outcomes. The patient was seen in an outpatient physical therapy clinic an average of 2 times per week for 5 months. At the end of 5 months, results of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) indicated that recreational and sporting activities were within normal limits, and the patient was able to return to playing on his high school football team the next year., Traumatic dislocation of the hip is an orthopedic emergency requiring early recognition and prompt reduction for successful management, (1,2) In a posterior dislocation, the head of the femur lies posterior [...]

Background and Purpose. Frequency and duration of static stretching have not been extensively examined. Additionally, the effect of multiple stretches per day has not been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal time and frequency of static stretching to increase flexibility of the hamstring muscles, as measured by knee extension range of motion (ROM). Subjects. Ninety-three subjects (61 men, 32 women) ranging in age from 21 to 39 years and who had limited hamstring muscle flexibility were randomly assigned to one of five groups. The four stretching groups stretched 5 days per week for 6 weeks. The fifth group, which served as a control, did not stretch. Methods. Data were analyzed with a 5 X 2 (group X test) two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures on one variable (test). Results. The change in flexibility appeared to be dependent on the duration and frequency of stretching. Further statistical analysis of the data indicated that the groups that stretched had more ROM than did the control group, but no differences were found among the stretching groups. Conclusion and Discussion. The results of this study suggest that a 30-second duration is an effective amount of time to sustain a hamstring muscle stretch in order to increase ROM. No increase in flexibility occurred when the duration of stretching was increased from 30 to 60 seconds or when the frequency of stretching was increased from one to three times per day. [Bandy WD, Irion JM, Briggler M. The effect of time and frequency of static stretching on flexibility of the hamstring muscles. Phys Ther. 1997;77:1090-1096.], Key Words: Flexibility, Lower extremity, Muscle, Muscle performance. Zachezeweski[1] has defined muscle flexibility as "the ability of a muscle to lengthen, allowing one joint (or more than one joint in [...]

Background and Purpose. To date, there are no reports comparing duration of static stretch in humans on joint range of motion (ROM) and hamstring muscle flexibility. The purpose of this [...]

Background and Purpose. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of isometric training of the quadriceps femoris muscles, at different joint angles, on torque production and electromyograpbic (EMG) activity. Subjects. One hundred seven women were randomly assigned to one of four groups Three groups trained with isometric contractions three times per week at a knee flexion angle of 30, 60, or 90 degrees. The fourth group, which served as a control, did not exercise. Methods. Isometric torque was measured using a dynamometer, and EMG activity was measured using a multichannel EMG system. Measurements were obtained during maximal isometric contraction of the quadriceps femoris muscles at 15-degree increments from 15 to 105 degrees of knee flexion. Measurements were taken before and after 8 weeks of training. Results. Following isometric exercise, increased torque and EMG activity occurred not only at the angle at which subjects exercised, but also at angles in the range of motion at which exercise did occur. Further analyses indicated that exercising in the lengthened position for the quadriceps femoris muscles (90 [degrees] of knee flexion) produced increased torque across all angles measured and appeared to be the more effective position for transferring strength and EMG activity to adjacent angles following isometric training as compared with the shorter positions of the muscle (30 [degrees] and 60 [degrees] of knee flexion). Conclusion and Discussion. These findings suggest that an efficient method for increasing isometric knee extension torque and EMG activity throughout the entire range of motion is to exercise with the quadriceps femoris muscles in the lengthened position. [Bandy WD, Hanten WP. Changes in torque and electromyographic activity of the quadriceps femoris muscles following isometric training. Phys Ther. 1993;73:455-467.], Key Words: Electromyography; Exercise, general; Functional training and activities, Lower extremity, knee; Muscle performance, lower extremity. Isometric contractions are used for strengthening exercises in the rehabilitation of orthopedic and sports-related [...]

Sprains of the lateral ligamentous structures of the ankle joint as a result of inversion are common and frequently result in pain. In most cases, the pain is related to soft-tissue injury and the associated hemorrhage and swelling. This case report describes the complication of posttraumatic false aneurysm of the peroneal artery following an inversion ankle sprain in a 22-year-old athlete, a complication that should be added to the differential diagnosis as a rare, but important possibility. Emphasis of the case report is placed on the rehabilitation of the patient following medical intervention. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1996;23(4):272-279.

The purpose of this paper was to examine the use of the Autorange® to increase range of motion in patients with restricted joint motion. Twenty subjects were treated with the Autorange for decreased motion of knee flexion, elbow extension, or elbow flexion after conventional therapy had failed. Results indicated a significant improvement in range of motion utilizing the Autorange when compared to conventional therapy. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1986;7(5):240-243.