Knee Therapeutic Exercise (Ther Ex)

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering therapeutic exercise principles, knee extension and flexion interventions, biomechanical research, strength training principles, plyometric progressions, and return-to-running protocols.

Mobility Progression

The sequential order of range of motion interventions starting with Passive Range of Motion ($\text{PROM}$), progressing to Active-Assisted Range of Motion ($\text{AAROM}$), and advancing to Active Range of Motion ($\text{AROM}$).

Prone Hang (Static Stretch)

A static stretching positioning intervention aimed at restoring knee extension, typically initiated for a start time duration of $2\text{ to }5\text{ minutes}$.

Weighted Prone Hang Protocol

A knee extension stretching progression starting without weight for $10\text{ minutes}$ and advancing to increased ankle cuff weight and longer durations; a belt wrapped above the hips and secured around the table can be utilized to prevent hip compensations.

Self-Applied Mobilization with Movement (MWM) for Knee Flexion

A Mulligan technique executed in a weight-bearing position using a self-administered lateral glide of the distal femur paired with tibial fixation (shown with a blue star) during active knee flexion to decrease pain and disability in knee osteoarthritis.

Short Muscle

A muscle structurally shortened by a reduction in the number of sarcomeres; it responds more effectively to low-load, long-duration stress and typically coexists with a reciprocally lengthened muscle.

Muscle Stiffness

The property characterized as change in tension per unit of change in length within connective tissue; acting similarly to a spring, excessive stiffness in one muscle can induce altered movement patterns at another anatomical site.

Relative Stiffness of Rectus Femoris

A mechanical fault where relative stiffness of the rectus femoris causes movement to occur prematurely at the lumbar spine (manifesting as lumbar extension and anterior pelvic tilt) before muscle length is taken up during knee flexion.

Multi-Angle Quad Sets

Isometric quadriceps strengthening performed at varying set angles of knee flexion, commonly evaluated and trained at $30^\circ$, $60^\circ$, and $90^\circ$.

Overload Principle

The strength training principle stating that the musculoskeletal system must be loaded beyond its accustomed threshold over time to drive physiological adaptations and prevent muscular accommodation.

Specificity Principle

The principle of strength training establishing that physiological and muscular adaptations are strictly specific to the particular muscles and movement patterns trained.

Progression / Periodization

The systematic scheduling and variation of training stimulus to ensure overloading occurs at an optimal intensity and timeframe to maximize performance gains.

Individuality Principle

The concept that every individual exhibits a distinct physiological response to a specific training stimulus, requiring rehabilitation programs to be individually tailored.

Reversibility Principle

The strength training concept stating that physiological gains and adaptations will be lost if the training stimulus is discontinued for an extended duration.

Backward Lunge (PFJ Loading Rationale)

A lunge variation documented by Goulette et al. to produce lower patellofemoral joint ($\text{PFJ}$) loading variables than forward lunges, making it advantageous in early rehabilitation for individuals with patellofemoral pain ($\text{PFP}$).

Forward Lunge (Biomechanical Profile)

A closed-chain exercise that produces significantly greater quadriceps force, higher $\text{PFJ}$ reaction force, greater knee flexion angle, and a faster $\text{PFJ}$ loading rate along with lower forward trunk tilt compared to a backward lunge.

Resisted Terminal Knee Extension (TKE) with Step Down

A dynamic closed kinetic chain rehabilitation exercise utilizing an anteriorly anchored resistance band around the popliteal fossa to challenge active quadriceps terminal extension while controlling eccentric descent off a step.

Nordic Hamstring Exercise

A high-intensity eccentric hamstring exercise identified in early-stage protocols as the direct advanced progression from the bilateral eccentric slider.

Mini Hops (Plyometric Progression)

A beginner plyometric exercise performed at $0.5\text{ to }1\text{ inch}$ height with $15^\circ\text{ to }30^\circ$ maximum knee flexion per hop; recommended initial volume is $80\text{ to }100$ contacts for beginners and $100\text{ to }120$ for intermediate patients.

Return-to-Running Progression Rule (Pairot de Fontenay et al., 2022)

A criterion-based guideline within a 10-session ACL reconstruction running program requiring pain to remain $\le 2/10$ during running and completely absent ($0/10$) $1\text{ hour}$ afterward to advance sessions.

Next-Morning Swelling Rule (Return-to-Running)

The clinical decision rule for symptom flares: if swelling occurs the morning after running, the patient must rest $1\text{ day}$ and step back one session; if symptoms increase without swelling, they repeat the same session.