Inferences about change-points in rehabilitation on the outcome of a knee arthroscopy as a results of patello femoral pain syndrome in sport

English: Rehabilitation is recognized as a critical component in the treatment of sports injuries, and has been the subject of intense research over the past decade. As a result, sound scientific principles have been applied to the realm of rehabilitation data and results. Life in the world as we know it is fast becoming a flustering playground that also affects rehabilitation as such, and especially the cost and time of the rehabilitation programs prescribed. By developing ways to minimize time-consuming efforts and at the same time optimize the efficiency of a rehabilitation program, we will be able to keep up with our constant changing world. As a result of the aforementioned, significant evidence has been found for a Change- Point model using rehabilitation data. A statistical method for analyzing rehabilitation data/sequences containing a Change-Point is therefore proposed. The methods may be extended in many directions. By calculating a patients' Change-Point during his rehabilitation process, one will be able to either take a more aggressive, or a more conservative approach when adjusting the exercise prescription of a patient during the different phases of the rehabilitation process. Evidence suggests that Change-Point analysis may be a completely new direction in rehabilitation as we know it. In order to implement the use of Change-Point analysis on rehabilitation data, one needs to identify an injury(s) along with the treatment used for it. Patello Femoral disorders, especially the Patello Femoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is a well-known problem in all age groups. This disorder is a very common complaint amongst the general population. Conservative treatment will always be the first option with regard to rehabilitation of this disorder. If, however, this method fails, the surgeon will opt for a surgical procedure, in this case a procedure known as and arthroscopy. An arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that can be performed for the purpose of diagnosing and the following treatment of problems within the internal structure of joints. Over the past decade, it has become one of the most frequently used procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of knee injuries. In addition, various rehabilitation or treatment modalities are proposed after a patient underwent a knee arthroscopy. One of these modalities is isokinetic exercise. Isokinetic exercise is a popular dimension in the field of resistive exercise and muscle evaluation. It is made possible by an electro-mechanical device that keeps limb motion at a constant, predetermined velocity. Many competitive and recreational athletes perform resistance training as a part of their conditioning program. Resistance training in addition to increasing muscular strength and hypertrophy may also aid in the prevention of injuries. Research indicates that resistance training promotes growth and/or increases in the strength of ligaments, tendons, tendon to hone and ligament to bone junction strength, joint cartilage and the connective tissue sheaths within muscle. Studies involving humans and animal models also demonstrate resistance training can cause increased bone mineral content and therefore may aid in the prevention of skeletal injuries. Change-Point analysis can therefore be of high value to the Biokineticist in helping him/her to evaluate the progress of rehabilitation more successfully. Because of our rapid changing world, it is imperative that new methods of analyzing and interpreting rehabilitation data are developed and created. This will aid in our understanding thereof and it will have a significant effect on the cost, time and outcome of a prescribed, rehabilitation program. Only then, will we as Biokineticists truly fulfill the mission of our profession, which is to improve the quality of life of our fellow human beings.