The effects of isokinetic and proprioceptive exercises in patients with functiona ankle instabiityl

Objective: The study is designed to measure the effect of ankle isokinetic and proprioceptive exercise program, on muscle strength and proprioception in patients with functional instability.Materials and Methods: Study was completed with 28 patients diagnosed with ankle functional instability .Patients randomly divided into 2 groups 1 isokinetic exercise group (Group 1), 2 proprioceptive exercise group (Group 2) and 3 were group of untreated control patients (Group 3) occurred. Exercise and control group patients at the end of follow-up with the same parameters were evaluated before and after 6 weeks. SportKAT used for the measurement of balance. Each patient underwent assessment of static and dynamic balance. Cybex Norm isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure the Invertor and the evertor strength of ankle muscles . To evaluate proprioception , same device was used to test active and passive repositioning. The functional scale, Kaikkonen et al also applied to patients, is used. All tests were taught to people with the stable ankle and then the tests were performed in the unstable ankle. Group1 and Group2 program was held 3 days a week and 6 weeks,.Results: The three groups included in the study did not differ significantly when compared between the pre-treatment static and dynamic balance values, active and passive repositioning tests, isokinetic invertor and evertor muscle strength and functional scale values between groups (p>0.05).Group 1 patiens when compared before and after the treatment in balance, joint position sense, muscle strength and functional scale values there were statistically significant improvements (p<0.05). All the parameters had statistically significant values when compared with group 3 (p<0.05).Group 2 patiens when compared after the treatment in balance, joint position sense,functional scale values there were statistically significant improvements (p<0.05). In muscle strength there were no statistically significiant difference before and after the treatment (p>0.05). When compared with group 3 statistically significiant difference obtained in balance, joint position sense, functional scale values (p<0.05). Two groups had no statistically significiant difference in izokinetic muscle strength (p>0.05).Group 1 and Group 2 had no statistically significiant difference in balance, joint position sense, functional scale values (p>0.05). In izokinetic muscle strength, statistically significiant difference obtained in favour of Group 1.Discussion and Conclusion: The isokinetic exercise with strengthening exercises in patients with ankle functional instability have contributed not only to the muscle strength, but also has positive effects on the sense of balance and proprioception. Proprioceptive exercise programs improve the balance and proprioceptive senses. Although it doesn?t create statistically significant improvement of muscle strength, increase of the evertor muscles strength has been found. Compared with the control group, even in chronic functional ankle instability, exercise programs, have positive contributions on balance, proprioception, muscle strength and functional scale.Key words: ankle functional ankle instability, proprioception, isokinetic exercise, functional scale.