TERAPI LATIHAN FUNGSIONAL DI AIR MENINGKATKAN KEKUATAN KONTRAKSI ISOMETRIK OTOT PAHA PASIEN POST REKONSTRUKSI CEDERA ANTERIOR LIGAMENTUM CRUCIATUM PHASE 2 DI RSPAD GATOT SOEBROTO JAKARTA

Introduction: Decreased strength of thigh muscle contractions is a complication that often occurs in postoperative patients with the reconstruction of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury which can cause a decrease of motoric function and even disability. The application of functional exercise therapy in water has been proven to be effective in increasing the strength of the thigh muscle contractions which are very important in improving the range of motion and function of the patient’s knee joint. This study aims to prove that functional exercises in water are more effective in increasing the strength of the isometric contraction of the thigh muscles compared to exercises on hospital physical therapy’s room. Method: This is an experimental study with a type of randomized pre-posttest control group design, involving 38 post-ACL reconstruction patients as participants. The patients’ age was in the range of 20-50 years, which is divided into two groups by random allocation. Group 1 was given a conventional functional therapy (in a type of functional therapy held at the physical therapy or clinic room, and as a control group), while group 2 was given water functional therapy. The frequency of treatment was 2 times a week for 6 weeks, for 60 minutes at each training session. The strength of the thigh muscles isometric contraction was measured using a sphygmomanometer. Result: As baseline data, the mean of thigh muscles’ isometric contraction strength of Group 1 was 117.37 ± 7.14, and after being given conventional functional therapy was increased to be 133.42 ± 12.47. Whereas in Group 2 the isometric contraction strength of the thigh muscles before the intervention was 121.32 ± 6.83 and after being given functional therapy in water increased to be 140.79 ± 14.55. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference in the isometric contraction’ strength of thigh muscle between before and after intervention in groups I and II with p-value = 0.000. However, the strength of the isometric contraction of the thigh muscles after the intervention between Groups 1 and 2 was no significant difference in statistical tests with p-value = 0.158. Conclusion: The functional therapy in water and conventional functional therapy can significantly increase the strength of thigh muscles’ isometric contraction. However, there was no significant difference in isometric contraction’ strength after intervention between functional therapy in water as well as conventional functional therapy among post-operative ACL reconstruction patients.