# DEEP OSCILLATION THERAPY ENHANCES EARLY REHABILITATION AFTER ACL RECONSTRUCTION: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

## TL;DR

Deep oscillation therapy improves recovery after ACL surgery by reducing pain, swelling, and inflammation while enhancing knee mobility.

## Contribution

This is the first randomized controlled trial demonstrating deep oscillation therapy's benefits in early ACL rehabilitation.

## Key findings

- Patients with deep oscillation therapy showed significantly higher pain tolerance and reduced swelling after 2 and 4 weeks.
- The therapy group exhibited improved knee flexion and extension range of motion and achieved full knee extension by week four.
- Deep oscillation therapy led to a more pronounced decrease in inflammatory markers C-reactive protein and D-dimer.

## Abstract

This study investigated the effectiveness of deep oscillation therapy on early rehabilitation outcomes and inflammatory markers in 60 patients (32.7 ± 6.5 years) following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

A randomized controlled study was undertaken.

Patients were randomly allocated into a deep oscillation therapy group (n = 30) receiving a physiotherapy protocol plus deep oscillation therapy, and a control group (n = 30) receiving a physiotherapy protocol alone. Outcomes assessed over 4 weeks included pain (algesimeter), knee circumference (swelling), active range of motion for flexion and extension (goniometer), and biomarkers: C-reactive protein (inflammation) and D-dimer (thromboembolic risk) blood tests.

Results showed significantly (p < 0.01) higher pressure pain threshold (i.e., increased tolerance of pressure-evoked pain), swelling reduction, and improved knee flexion and extension range of motion in the deep oscillation therapy compared with the control group after 2 and 4 weeks. The deep oscillation therapy achieved full extension by week four. Deep oscillation therapy also led to a more dynamic and pronounced decrease in C-reactive protein and D-dimer levels in the deep oscillation therapy compared with the control group (p < 0.01), with the deep oscillation therapy exhibiting significantly lower levels after 2 and 4 weeks. Correlations were observed in the deep oscillation therapy between reduced inflammatory markers and improved mobility and swelling.

These findings suggest that deep oscillation therapy can significantly enhance early rehabilitation outcomes and reduce inflammation in patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

After surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament, patients often deal with pain, swelling, and limited movement. This study looked at whether a gentle treatment called deep oscillation therapy could help people recover faster. Sixty patients were divided into 2 groups: 1 received regular physiotherapy, and the other was given the same therapy plus deep oscillation therapy. Over 4 weeks, those who received deep oscillation therapy had less pain and swelling, could move their knee better, and showed signs of less inflammation in their bodies. These improvements happened more quickly and were more noticeable than in those who received regular therapy alone. By the end of the study, patients using deep oscillation therapy had better flexibility and could straighten their knees fully. These results suggest that adding deep oscillation therapy to regular rehabilitation could speed up recovery and improve outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament surgery, helping people return to their daily activities sooner and more comfortably.