scholarly journals Recovery of preoperative absolute knee extension and flexion strength after ACL reconstruction

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramana Piussi ◽  
Daniel Broman ◽  
Erik Musslinder ◽  
Susanne Beischer ◽  
Roland Thomée ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundThe recovery of muscle function after an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction is most commonly reported as limb-to-limb differences using the Limb Symmetry Index (LSI), which is not free from limitations. The purpose of this study was to compare the proportion of patients who recover their Preoperative Absolute Muscle Strength (PAMS) 8 and 12 months after ACL reconstruction with the proportion of patients who recover their symmetrical knee strength. A secondary aim was to assess the relationship between psychological Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) and recovering PAMS at 8 and 12 months after ACL reconstruction and rehabilitation.MethodPreoperative, 8- and 12-month results from quadriceps and hamstring strength tests and PROs for 117 patients were extracted from a rehabilitation registry. Individual preoperative peak torques from strength tests were compared with results from the 8- and 12-month follow-ups respectively. Patients were defined as having recovered their PAMS upon reaching 90% of their preoperative peak torque for both quadriceps and hamstring strength. Patients were defined as having recovered their LSI upon reaching a value ≥ 90% when comparing the results for their injured knee with those of their healthy knee. Correlations between the recovery of PAMS and PROs at 8 and 12 months were analyzed.ResultsThere was no difference in the proportion of patients who recovered their PAMS compared with patients who recovered their LSI. In all, 30% and 32% of the patients who recovered their LSI had not recovered their PAMS at 8 months and 12 months respectively. In the patients who had recovered their PAMS, 24% and 31% had not recovered their symmetrical LSI at 8 months and 12 months respectively. There was no significant correlation between the recovery of PAMS and psychological PROs. ConclusionThe use of both PAMS and LSI provides more detailed information on the recovery of muscle strength after ACL reconstruction. The recovery of PAMS was not correlated with psychological traits, which implies that both PROs and PAMS are important when evaluating patients after ACL reconstruction.Trial RegistrationEthical approval has been obtained from the Regional Ethical Review Board in Gothenburg, Sweden (registration numbers: 265-13, T023-17).

Author(s):  
Ramana Piussi ◽  
Daniel Broman ◽  
Erik Musslinder ◽  
Susanne Beischer ◽  
Roland Thomeé ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The recovery of muscle function after an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction is most commonly reported as limb-to-limb differences using the Limb Symmetry Index (LSI), which is not free from limitations. The purpose of this study was to compare the proportion of patients who recover their Preoperative Absolute Muscle Strength (PAMS) 8 and 12 months after ACL reconstruction with the proportion of patients who recover their symmetrical knee strength. A secondary aim was to assess the relationship between psychological Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) and recovering PAMS at 8 and 12 months after ACL reconstruction and rehabilitation. Method Preoperative, 8- and 12-month results from quadriceps and hamstring strength tests and PROs for 117 patients were extracted from a rehabilitation registry. Individual preoperative peak torques from strength tests were compared with results from the 8- and 12-month follow-ups respectively. Patients were defined as having recovered their PAMS upon reaching 90% of their preoperative peak torque for both quadriceps and hamstring strength. Patients were defined as having recovered their LSI upon reaching a value ≥90% when comparing the results for their injured knee with those of their healthy knee. Correlations between the recovery of PAMS and PROs at 8 and 12 months were analyzed. Results There was no difference in the proportion of patients who recovered their PAMS compared with patients who recovered their LSI. In all, 30% and 32% of the patients who recovered their LSI had not recovered their PAMS at 8 months and 12 months respectively. In the patients who had recovered their PAMS, 24% and 31% had not recovered their symmetrical LSI at 8 months and 12 months respectively. There was no significant correlation between the recovery of PAMS and psychological PROs. Conclusion The use of both PAMS and LSI provides more detailed information on the recovery of muscle strength after ACL reconstruction. The recovery of PAMS was not correlated with psychological traits, which implies that both PROs and PAMS are important when evaluating patients after ACL reconstruction. Trial registration  This trial was not registered.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 471-476
Author(s):  
Heleodório Honorato Santos ◽  
Catarina de Oliveira Sousa ◽  
Christiane Lanatovitz Prado Medeiros ◽  
José Angelo Barela ◽  
Ana Maria Forti Barela ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Introduction: Eccentric training and jump tests are widely used to recover and measure deficits in knee strength and functionality after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Objective: To correlate knee extension and flexion torque generated by eccentric isokinetic training, with functional jump tests in subjects with reconstructed ACL. Method: Sixteen men with unilateral ACL reconstruction were assessed before and after 12 weeks of eccentric isokinetic training of knee flexors and extensors (3×10 MVC, 2x/week) at 30°/s for extension and flexion torque (isometric; concentric and eccentric at 30 and 120°/s) and functional jump tests (single, triple, cross and figure of 8). Inter- and intra-limb pre- and post-training mean peak torque (MPT), distance and jump test times were compared along with the correlations between these variables, considering P<0.05. Results: The affected limb (AL) showed significant gain of extension and flexion torque (P<0.01) in the different test categories and velocities evaluated. In the non-affected limb (NAL), this only occurred in the eccentric category (30 and 120°/s), in the extension (P<0.01) and flexion (P<0.05 and P<0.01) torques, respectively. In the jumps, there was an increase in distance (single and triple; P<0.05) and a decrease in time (crossed and figure of 8; P<0.01), however, MPT x Jump correlations were weak (r<0.3) in the pre and post-training period in both limbs. Conclusion: Despite the gain in knee extension and flexion torque and jumping performance, the expected correlation was not satisfactory, suggesting that knee functionality involves other variables inherent to motor control. Level of Evidence IV; Type of study: Case series.


2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guri Ranum Ekås ◽  
Håvard Moksnes ◽  
Hege Grindem ◽  
May Arna Risberg ◽  
Lars Engebretsen

Background: There is no consensus regarding the best treatment approach for skeletally immature children with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. High-quality studies with long-term follow-up are lacking, and evidence to support decision making is limited. Purpose: To evaluate functional and patient-reported outcome, surgical history, and complications among young adults who sustained an ACL injury before the age of 13 years and were treated with active rehabilitation and the option of delayed ACL reconstruction if needed. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Forty-six children aged <13 years with a total intrasubstance ACL injury were included. None of these patients had additional injuries that warranted early surgery. At final follow-up at a mean 8 years after the time of injury, 44 patients remained in the study. The same test battery was conducted at baseline, 1 and 2 years, and final follow-up at approximately 18 years of age. The test battery included functional tests (hop tests and isokinetic muscle strength tests of quadriceps and hamstrings), patient-reported outcome measures (including the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form), and clinical examination. Medical records were reviewed to assess surgical history and complications. Results: At a mean 8 years of follow-up, 24 patients (55%) had undergone ACL reconstruction, and 16 (36%) had undergone meniscal surgery. Quadriceps muscle strength symmetry was >90% for 30 patients (68%). Mean leg symmetry indexes for hop and strength tests were consistently >90%, except for the single-hop test and hamstrings muscle strength for ACL-reconstructed knees. Mean ± SD International Knee Documentation Committee scores were 86.3 ± 13.7 for the ACL-reconstructed knees and 90.6 ± 11.8 for the nonreconstructed knees. At final follow-up, forty patients (91%) remained active in sports, but 29 (66%) restricted their activity level to nonpivoting sports. Conclusion: Active rehabilitation may have a role in treatment of children with ACL injury. Approximately 50% of children may cope well, even to adulthood, without a surgical intervention. The other half may develop instability that warrants ACL reconstruction, and one-third may require meniscal surgery.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4_suppl3) ◽  
pp. 2325967120S0022
Author(s):  
Adam Weaver ◽  
Lauren Macmillan ◽  
Danielle Suprenant ◽  
Nicholas Giampetruzzi

Background: Quadriceps Femoris (QF) strength has been identified to impact patient reported function following ACL reconstruction (ACLR) at time of return to sport. Patients with higher subjective reports of knee function displayed greater QF symmetry. To our knowledge the relationship between patient reported outcomes and strength measurements have not been studied during the rehabilitation process in adolescent patients post ACLR. Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of International Knee Documentation Committee subjective form (IKDC) and the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Return to Sport After Injury (ACL-RSI) scores to isometric QF strength at three months status post ACLR. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients treated with ACLR between July 2017 and April 2019 at a single institution. Patients between 12 and 20 years of age that underwent ACLR and completed a three-month functional tests assessment were included in the study. Data was collected for IKDC and ACL-RSI scores, and isometric strength testing at 60° of knee flexion on the HUMAC isokinetic dynamometer (CSMI USA, Stoughton, MA). Pearson correlation was used to determine if there is an association between IKDC and isometric strength, and Spearman Correlation to determine if there is an association between ACL-RSI and isometric strength. Results: The cohort included 138 patients (68 females; 16.16±1.88) (97.31±16.12 post-op days) status post ACLR, with an average IKDC score of 69.73±13.19 and average ACL-RSI score of 60.08±24.19. Hamstring autografts were the most common reconstruction (n=80, 58%). The average QF peak torque was 71.30±28.98 ft-lbs and average isometric QF strength deficit was 31.07±23.85 percent. IKDC scores were positively associated with QF peak torque isometric strength (r=0.437, P=<.0001). ACL-RSI scores were also positively associated with peak torque QF isometric strength (r=0.284, P=.001) and negatively associated with QF strength deficit (r= -.279, P=<.002). Conclusion: IKDC and RSI were positively associated with QF isometric strength in adolescent patients three months status post ACLR. These finding suggest that QF strength impacts patients’ reported function and psychological readiness to return to sport at this time point. Possible impact on rehabilitation includes implementing strategies to progress QF strength from three months status post to time of return to sport.


1998 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 172-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Allen Hardin ◽  
John A. Guido ◽  
Christopher J. Hughes

Due to the likelihood of hamstring dysfunction associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, it is clinically significant to determine if a hamstring weakness exists preoperatively. The purpose of this study was to determine if a hamstring muscle deficit existed at the time of surgery and to determine the time necessary to achieve hamstring strength equal to preoperative measures of the uninvolved extremity during postoperative rehabilitation. Twelve patients who underwent ACL reconstruction using a patellar tendon autograft participated. Each subject underwent a preoperative isometric knee strength evaluation at 60° of knee flexion. Each subject underwent postoperative rehabilitation including hamstring muscle strengthening. Repeat isometric testing was performed on each subject at 21 and 42 days postoperative. There was no statistical difference in hamstring muscle strength, as measured by isometric peak torque, either preoperatively or postoperatively. Therefore, maintaining rather than increasing hamstring strength postoperatively should be emphasized as an integral part of rehabilitation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (08) ◽  
pp. 796-803
Author(s):  
Brian Zhaojie Chin ◽  
Ian Jun Yan Wee ◽  
Nicholas Li-Xun Syn ◽  
Lingaraj Krishna

AbstractThe objective of this study was to provide a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to compare patient-reported outcomes and functional knee parameters of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery with semitendinosus (ST) and ST-gracilis (G) grafts. This study was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. All studies in PubMed and Embase that reported functional knee parameters and patient-reported outcomes after ACL reconstruction with ST and ST-G grafts independently were included in the review. Selected end points for random effects, pairwise meta-analysis included side-to-side deficit (%) in isokinetic peak torque, peak torque ratio (%), side-to-side difference (mm) in anterior laxity, and patient-reported outcome scores at minimum 2-year follow-up. A total of 15 primary references comprising 1,109 participants were identified. The ST group had decreased side-to-side deficit in isokinetic peak torque when compared with the ST-G group for flexion at 60 degrees/s (p = 0.02) and 180 degrees/s (p = 0.01) at 2-year follow-up. There were no significant differences in side-to-side difference in anterior laxity (p = 0.81), hamstring/quadriceps peak torque ratios at 60 degrees/s (p = 0.83) and 180 degrees/s (p = 0.36), and patient-reported outcomes in the International Knee Documentation Committee score (p = 0.06) and Lysholm score (p = 0.67). The addition of the gracilis tendon to the hamstring autograft in ACL reconstruction results in increased side-to-side deficits in isokinetic peak flexion torque. However, patient-reported outcome scores and knee laxity measurements are comparable with those of ST grafts.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martijn Dietvorst ◽  
Maarten H. Brzoskowski ◽  
Marieke van der Steen ◽  
Eugenie Delvaux ◽  
Rob P. A. Janssen ◽  
...  

Abstract Specific return to sport criteria for children and adolescents after anterior cruciate ligament injury and reconstruction are unknown. The aim of this scoping review is to provide an overview of current tests regarding return to sport for children and adolescents. This scoping review was performed according to the PRISMA statement. A systematic search was performed on PubMed and EMBASE. The inclusion criteria were diagnostic and prognostic studies evaluating tests regarding return to sport after ACL injury and reconstruction in children/adolescents (age < 18 years). Twenty-six studies were included, of which 22 studies evaluated tests in the age category of 16 to 18 years. All studies evaluated tests after ACL reconstruction, no studies have been conducted in non-operative patients. Strength tests, movement quality and patient reported outcomes measures (PROMs) are investigated most frequently. Clearance for return to sport should be based on a test battery including strength tests, movement quality during sport-specific tasks and (paediatric) patient reported outcome measures. There are no recommendations on which specific tests regarding quantity and quality of movement should be used. Future research should aim at at developing and validating a test battery including movement quality and neuromotor control in a sport-specific context for both younger children and adolescents after both operative and non-operative treatment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 935-940
Author(s):  
Brendon C. Mitchell ◽  
Matthew Y. Siow ◽  
Tracey Bastrom ◽  
James D. Bomar ◽  
Andrew T. Pennock ◽  
...  

Background: The coronal lateral collateral ligament (LCL) sign is the presence of the full length of the LCL visualized on a single coronal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) slice at the posterolateral corner of the knee. The coronal LCL sign has been shown to be associated with elevated measures of anterior tibial translation and internal rotation in the setting of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. Hypothesis: The coronal LCL sign (with greater anterior translation, internal rotation, and posterior slope of the tibia) will indicate a greater risk for graft failure after ACL reconstructive surgery. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Retrospective review was performed of adolescent patients with ACL reconstruction: a cohort without graft failure and a cohort with graft failure. MRI was utilized to measure tibial translation and femorotibial rotation and to identify the coronal LCL sign. The posterior tibial slope was measured on lateral radiographs. Patient-reported outcomes were collected. Results: We identified 114 patients with no graft failure and 39 patients with graft failure who met all criteria, with a mean follow-up time of 3.5 years (range, 2-9.4 years). Anterior tibial translation was associated with anterolateral complex injury ( P < .001) but not graft failure ( P = .06). Internal tibial rotation was associated with anterolateral complex injury ( P < .001) and graft failure ( P = .042). Posterior tibial slope was associated with graft failure ( P = .044). The coronal LCL sign was associated with anterolateral complex injury ( P < .001) and graft failure ( P = .013), with an odds ratio of 4.3 for graft failure (95% CI, 1.6-11.6; P = .003). Subjective patient-reported outcomes and return to previous level of sport were not associated with failure. Comparison of MRI before and after ACL reconstruction in the graft failure cohort demonstrated a reduced value in internal rotation ( P = .003) but no change in coronal LCL sign ( P = .922). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that tibial internal rotation and posterior slope are independent predictors of ACL graft failure in adolescents. Although the value of internal rotation could be improved with ACL reconstruction, the presence of the coronal LCL sign persisted over time and was predictive of graft rupture (without the need to make measurements or memorize values of significant risk). Together, these factors indicate that greater initial knee deformity after initial ACL tear predicts greater risk for future graft failure.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 3391
Author(s):  
Jan Marušič ◽  
Goran Marković ◽  
Nejc Šarabon

The purpose of this study was to evaluate intra- and inter-session reliability of the new, portable, and externally fixated dynamometer called MuscleBoard® for assessing the strength of hip and lower limb muscles. Hip abduction, adduction, flexion, extension, internal and external rotation, knee extension, ankle plantarflexion, and Nordic hamstring exercise strength were measured in three sessions (three sets of three repetitions for each test) on 24 healthy and recreationally active participants. Average and maximal value of normalized peak torque (Nm/kg) from three repetitions in each set and agonist:antagonist ratios (%) were statistically analyzed; the coefficient of variation and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC2,k) were calculated to assess absolute and relative reliability, respectively. Overall, the results display high to excellent intra- and inter-session reliability with low to acceptable within-individual variation for average and maximal peak torques in all bilateral strength tests, while the reliability of unilateral strength tests was moderate to good. Our findings indicate that using the MuscleBoard® dynamometer can be a reliable device for assessing and monitoring bilateral and certain unilateral hip and lower limb muscle strength, while some unilateral strength tests require some refinement and more extensive familiarization.


2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Kuenze ◽  
Jay Hertel ◽  
Susan Saliba ◽  
David R. Diduch ◽  
Arthur Weltman ◽  
...  

Context:Normal, symmetrical quadriceps strength is a common clinical goal after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Currently, the clinical thresholds for acceptable unilateral quadriceps function and symmetry associated with positive outcomes after return to activity are unclear.Objective:To establish quadriceps-activation and knee-extension-torque cutoffs for clinical assessment after return to activity after ACLR.Design:Descriptive laboratory study.Setting:Laboratory.Patients:22 (10 female, 12 male; age = 22.5 ± 5.0 y, height = 172.9 ± 7.1 cm, mass = 74.1 ± 15.5 kg, months since surgery = 31.5 ± 23.5) recreationally active persons with a history of unilateral, primary ACLR at least 6 months prior and 24 (12 female/12 male, age = 21.7 ± 3.6 y, height = 168.0 ± 8.8 cm, mass = 69.3 ± 13.6 kg) recreationally active healthy participants.Main Outcome Measures:Patient-reported measures of pain, knee-related function, and physical activity level were recorded for all participants. Normalized knee-extension maximum-voluntary-isometric-contraction (MVIC) torque (Nm/kg) and quadriceps central-activation ratio (CAR, %) were measured bilaterally in all participants. Receiver-operator-characteristic (ROC) curves were used to establish thresholds for unilateral measures of normalized knee-extension MVIC torque and quadriceps CAR, as well as limb-symmetry indices (LSI). ROC curves then established clinical thresholds for normalized knee-extension MVIC torque and quadriceps CAR LSIs associated with healthy knee-related function.Results:Involved-quadriceps CAR above 89.3% was the strongest unilateral indicator of healthy-group membership, while quadriceps CAR LSI above 0.996 and knee-extension MVIC torque above 0.940 were the strongest overall indicators. Unilateral normalized knee-extension MVIC torque above 3.00 Nm/kg and quadriceps CAR LSI above 0.992 were the best indicators of good patient-reported knee-related outcomes.Conclusions:Threshold values established in this study may provide a guide for clinicians when making return-to-activity decisions after ACLR. Normalized knee-extension MVIC torque (>3.00 Nm/kg) and quadriceps CAR symmetry (>99.6%) are both strong indicators of good patient-reported outcomes after ACLR.


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