What Is “Isokinetic”?

Isokinetic is a word that explains a certain type of movement. You may have heard medical staff, especially those in sports medicine, use it. It refers to movement at a constant speed, regardless of the force used. It’s different from isotonic movements which refers to fixed forces that we exert on objects in our daily lives. For instance, when lifting a glass to drink, the weight of the object remains stable. However, the speed with which we lift the glass may vary each time.

Set up the Isokinetic devices to operate at a certain fixed speed for exercises or muscle tests. The device adjusts to the resistance automatically, so that the operator’s joints retain the same speed of movement. Take for example,  an operator tries to deceive the device by applying more power. Then the device will automatically adjust its resistance to a higher level to adjust to the programmed speed.

Internationally, doctors and physiotherapists have been utilizing the Isokinetic devices for over 30 years for muscle training and therapy. These devices are considered to be the most effective tools for testing muscle efficiency. They are the preferred tool for training and rehabilitating muscles of patients who have undergone joint surgery, especially knee surgery.  Therefore, the Sport and Orthopaedic Center at Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital has introduced the use of isokinetic devices. Doctors will use it to: 

1. Assess and evaluate muscle and joint function including shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and ankle joints. This will assist in the planning of exercise and training programs for athletes, or for those who love to exercise.
2. Support strength conditioning and muscle memory for athletes, patients and the public.
3. Aid the rehabilitation process of patients, athletes and those who have sustained sports and exercise related injuries. Additionally, it will help in the recovery from surgery, enabling a swift return to daily life.

The Sports and Orthopedic Center also reaches out to anyone suffering from orthopedic injuries, or from acute or chronic damage to bones and joints. Our center brings together a highly accomplished team of 38 orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists and sports injury and physical rehabilitation experts. We pair these experienced experts with the latest orthopedic and physical rehabilitation equipment, ensuring all patients receive the best possible care.

Samitivej has a team ready to help and provide services for: 

• Treatment Plan Consultation with a doctor via online video-call (second opinion)
• Treatment Planning if you have medical records or a price estimate from another hospital 
• Cost Planning by our Appraisals Team with price guarantee (only for procedure packages without complications)
• Check Initial Coverage Eligibility with Thai and international insurance companies (only for insurance companies in contract with the Hospital)