Özet:

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hip abductor strengthening exercises in addition to the knee muscle strengthening exercise program on knee functional recovery in patients who had undergone medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction. Methods: Thirty patients were included in the study. The patients were randomly assigned to the knee muscle strengthening exercise group and the hip abductor exercise group in addition to the knee strengthening exercises group and included in a 12-week exercise program. Kujala, (International Knee Documentation Committee) subjective knee evaluation form, Tegner and Lysholm scores were evaluated preoperatively at 3rd, 6th and 12th months after surgery. Results: Knee scores were similar between the groups (p>0.05) in the preoperative period. Compared to the control group, Kujala (6th months: p=0.03, 12th months: p=0.03), International Knee Documentation Committee subjective knee evaluation form (3rd months: p=0.01, 6th months: p=0.01, 12th months: p=0.03) and Lysholm (3rd month: p=0.04, 6th month: p=0.04, 12th month: p=0.01) scores were higher in the study group at 6th and 12th months after surgery. Similarly, the Tegner activity score was higher in the study group at 12 months after surgery (p=0.04). Conclusion: Hip abductor strengthening exercises in addition to the knee strengthening exercise program was more effective than only knee strengthening exercises in terms of improving knee functions in individuals who have undergone medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction. Therefore, the inclusion of hip abductor exercises in the rehabilitation program will be important in terms of improving performance.