This athlete is rehabilitating from her second contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. She is almost 33 weeks out from her surgery. Her rehabilitation is currently at late phase 3 having met the criteria for strength, power, and endurance.

The single leg box drop exercise is great for relearning motor control. Once she lands, she has to quickly react with a lateral, forward, or medial change of direction to catch the ball.

She performed this exercise at the end of her treatment session to focus on dynamic knee stabilization when fatigued.

Challenging her vision with the strobe eyewear (level 4) presented an immediate effect on dynamic stability.

Based on her ACL reconstruction (ACL-R), there is altered proprioception for the left leg. If not properly addressed in rehab, it could result in re-injury or loss of performance (unable to return to pre-injury level).
 
The application of the strobe eyewear has been investigated with ACL-R patients. The research is studying neuroplasticity for visual-motor training.

The clinical reasoning is

❌ Disrupted afferent input
❌ Altered proprioception
❌ Altered efferent output
❌ Change in postural control
❌ Change in movement control

The change in movement control is the reliance on visual feedback to maintain neuromuscular control. Treatment with strobe eyewear is utilized for visual-motor training with criterion-based exercise progressions.

The verbal cues for this exercise are:

🔑 Land softly
🔑 Don’t let the knees cave in (avoid knee valgus)
🔑 React quickly

As always — train both legs!

Effective and efficient rehab is criterion-based, not time-based.

🔹Move Better
🔹Feel Better
🔹Live Better

Evolve Physical Therapy
20510 SW Roy Rogers Rd. Suite 120
Sherwood, OR. 97140

P: (971) 213-3335
F: (971) 213-3389

info@ptevolve.com

www.ptevolve.com
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Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program. STOP exercising if you experience any symptoms of weakness, unsteadiness, light-headedness/dizziness, chest pain or pressure, nausea, or shortness of breath.

Performing these exercises should not cause pain. If you experience pain while exercising, decrease the speed of your movement. If the pain persists - STOP. Mild soreness after exercising may be experienced after beginning a new exercise.

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