Effect of lower limb muscle strengthening in athletes with knee pathology.

Strengthening of the lower limb muscles namely the gluteal muscles, the quadriceps, hamstrings, adductors and abductors, the calf muscles, tibialis muscles and even the muscles of the foot showed an improvement in patients with knee injury and in patients with knee pain. 

Especially in patients with quadricep tendon weakness, with patellar tendon weakness and chondromalacia patellae. 

The strengthening reduced the morbidity and improved prognosis in these patients. 

These improvements were also noted in patients with weak lower limb musculature and in patients who suffered from imbalance in muscles 

MRI in these patients, before exercise, were seen to have signs of inflammation, joint effusion etc ligament strain, bursitis 

Strengthening of lower limb muscles reversed these changes significantly. 

All patients exercised for a period of 4 months 3 to 4 times a week. 

The strengthening acted as a preventive treatment by improving biomechanics, gait, centre of gravity, increased lean body mass.