Plyometric and agility training into the regimen of a patient with post-surgical anterior knee pain

ObjectivesThe objective of this case report is to present an approach to clinical outcome assessment for a high-level athlete with post-surgical anterior knee pain. Additionally systematic dosage and patient response to plyometric and agility training exercises is presented.DesignCase report.Case descriptionA 23-year-old athlete, 12 weeks post-surgery, with left knee pain and swelling preventing participation in practice and competition. The athlete attended therapy for 8 weeks. In the final 4 weeks, agility drills and plyometric exercises were introduced into the rehabilitation regimen.Main outcome measuresOutcome measures used were the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), Knee Outcome Survey, vertical jump, T-test agility test, and 40-yard sprint test.ResultsDuring the “return-to-sports” phase of rehabilitation, the patient had meaningful changes on the LEFS, Knee Outcome Survey, vertical jump, T-test agility test, and 40-yard sprint. All changes were either greater than the standard error, or the minimally detectable changes, of the tools used to measure outcome in this case.ConclusionsUsing a combination of validated outcome tools and novel field tests, meaningful changes in impairment and function were demonstrated during a controlled introduction of advanced conditioning techniques.