Foot-pounds of torque of the normal knee and the rehabilitated postmeniscectomy knee.

Foot-pounds of torque of the knee flexors and knee extensors of eight rehabilitated patients who had had meniscectomies were obtained isometrically and at 60 and 210 degrees per second by use of an isokinetic apparatus. Our purpose was to test the null hypothesis that no significant difference in torque would be manifested between the rehabilitated postmeniscectomy knee and the normal knee. Mean torque developed by the rehabilitated postoperative knee was 10 to 12 percent less than the mean torque developed by the normal knee. We found a significant difference between means of torque of the normal knee and the rehabilitated knee for isometric flexion, rapid dynamic flexion, and rapid dynamic extension. Means of torque of knee extension for the three types of contraction for both knees of the subjects demonstrated similar patterns in which torque developed isometrically was greater than torque developed by slow dynamic tension, which in turn was greater than torque developed by rapid dynamic contraction. Means of torque of knee flexion for the three types of contraction for both knees of the subjects created patterns in which torque developed isometrically was essentially equal to torque developed by slow dynamic tension, and both these measurements exceeded torque developed by rapid dynamic contractions. Overall, the results suggest that physical therapists need to use rehabilitative techniques that promote muscular power and muscular endurance in addition to muscular strength and that more attention needs to be directed to the rehabilitation of knee flexors.