Dataset Information

Quadriceps Strength Symmetry Does Not Modify Gait Mechanics After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Return-to-Sport Training.

ABSTRACT:

Background

After anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR), biomechanical asymmetries during gait are highly prevalent, persistent, and linked to posttraumatic knee osteoarthritis. Quadriceps strength is an important clinical measure associated with preoperative gait asymmetries and postoperative function and is a primary criterion for return-to-sport clearance. Evidence relating symmetry in quadriceps strength with gait biomechanics is limited to preoperative and early rehabilitation time points before return-to-sport training.

Purpose/hypothesis

The purpose was to determine the relationship between symmetry in isometric quadriceps strength and gait biomechanics after return-to-sport training in athletes after ACLR. We hypothesized that as quadriceps strength symmetry increases, athletes will demonstrate more symmetric knee joint biomechanics, including tibiofemoral joint loading during gait.

Study design

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods

Of 79 athletes enrolled in the ACL-SPORTS Trial, 76 were participants in this study after completing postoperative rehabilitation and 10 return-to-sport training sessions (mean ± SD, 7.1 ± 2.0 months after ACLR). All participants completed biomechanical walking gait analysis and isometric quadriceps strength assessment using an electromechanical dynamometer. Quadriceps strength was calculated using a limb symmetry index (involved limb value / uninvolved limb value × 100). The biomechanical variables of interest included peak knee flexion angle, peak knee internal extension moment, sagittal plane knee excursion at weight acceptance and midstance, quadriceps muscle force at peak knee flexion angle, and peak medial compartment contact force. Spearman rank correlation (?) coefficients were used to determine the relationship between limb symmetry indexes in quadriceps strength and each biomechanical variable; alpha was set to .05.

Results

Of the 76 participants, 27 (35%) demonstrated asymmetries in quadriceps strength, defined by quadriceps strength symmetry <90% (n = 23) or >110% (n = 4) (range, 56.9%-131.7%). For the biomechanical variables of interest, 67% demonstrated asymmetry in peak knee flexion angle; 68% and 83% in knee excursion during weight acceptance and midstance, respectively; 74% in internal peak knee extension moment; 57% in medial compartment contact force; and 74% in quadriceps muscle force. There were no significant correlations between quadriceps strength index and limb symmetry indexes for any biomechanical variable after return-to-sport training (P > .129).

Conclusion

Among those who completed return-to-sport training after ACLR, subsequent quadriceps strength symmetry was not correlated with the persistent asymmetries in gait biomechanics. After a threshold of quadriceps strength is reached, restoring strength alone may not ameliorate gait asymmetries, and current clinical interventions and return-to-sport training may not adequately target gait.

SUBMITTER: Arhos EK

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7863565 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Quadriceps Strength Symmetry Does Not Modify Gait Mechanics After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Return-to-Sport Training.

Arhos Elanna K EK Capin Jacob J JJ Buchanan Thomas S TS Snyder-Mackler Lynn L

The American journal of sports medicine 20201229 2

<h4>Background</h4>After anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR), biomechanical asymmetries during gait are highly prevalent, persistent, and linked to posttraumatic knee osteoarthritis. Quadriceps strength is an important clinical measure associated with preoperative gait asymmetries and postoperative function and is a primary criterion for return-to-sport clearance. Evidence relating symmetry in quadriceps strength with gait biomechanics is limited to preoperative and early reha ...[more]

PMID: 33373534

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Project description:PurposeFor a successful return to sport (RTS) after an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), patients are recommended to attend a comprehensive rehabilitation program, followed by an RTS assessment, that is a combination of tests. The purpose of this study was to predict a successful return to sport using the results of the RTS assessment and self-reported questionnaires at minimum 2 years after ACLR.MethodsA total of 123 consecutive ACLR patients undertook an intensive rehabilitation program followed by a comprehensive RTS assessment that included an established combination of balance and strength tests, the ACL-return to sport after Injury scale (ACL-RSI) questionnaire and a KT1000 laximetry test. Preinjury and expected Tegner and Lysholm were collected at baseline, at RTS and prospectively collected at minimum 2-year follow-up. The patients were asked if they returned to their previous sport and at which level. All variables were included in a regression analysis predicting a successful return to previous sport, return to the same level of sport as well as the Tegner level at 2 years.ResultsSixty-two patients (50%) returned to their previous sport by the 2-year follow-up, without a difference in preinjury Tegner between these two groups (n.s.). Expected preoperative Tegner was the only significant predictor of a successful return to previous sport (p = 0.042; OR 1.300, 95% CI 1.010-1.672). Out of the 62 patients returning to their previous sport, 38 (61%) reported to be on the same or higher level. The only predictive variable for returning to the same level was the higher preinjury Tegner level (p = 0.048; OR 1.522). Multivariate regression analysis of Tegner level at 2 years found younger age to be the only predictive value. From the RTS assessment tests, the ACL-RSI questionnaire and the posterolateral balance test were predictive variables for Tegner at 2-year follow-up, albeit in the univariate regression analysis.ConclusionsPreoperative Tegner and expected Tegner level collected prior to an ACL reconstruction can aid in the objective prediction of patients' return to sport after 2 years. High-level athletes are more likely to return to their previous sport and to the previous level. Younger patients achieve a higher Tegner level at 2 years.Level of evidenceLevel III study.

Project description:BackgroundRates of return to preinjury level of play after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) remain unsatisfactory, particularly for patients who undergo revision surgery. Psychological readiness is associated with successful return to sport (RTS) and self-perceived preinjury sport performance.PurposeTo compare psychological readiness at RTS between patients who underwent revision ACL autograft reconstruction and matched controls who underwent primary ACL autograft reconstruction.Study designCohort study; Level of evidence, 3.MethodsData were gathered using a single orthopaedic surgeon database of patients who underwent ACLR between 2015 and 2018. Patients who underwent revision ACLR and met the study criteria (N = 92) were matched by age, sex, graft type, and rehabilitation protocol to a control group of patients who underwent primary ACLR (n = 92). Functional assessment at release to play was examined using passive knee range of motion, single-leg squat, and single-leg hop testing. Self-reported outcomes included the International Knee Documentation Committee subjective function survey and the ACL-Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) psychological readiness scale. Time to release to play was recorded as the number of months needed to reach a ≥90% limb symmetry index from the date of the index ACLR. Data were assessed for normality using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and univariate general linear models were utilized with an alpha level of .05.ResultsThe overall mean patient age was 29.9 ± 10 years, and 40% of patients were women. No significant differences between groups were noted in any of the baseline patient characteristics or surgical findings. At RTS, the mean ACL-RSI score was significantly lower in the revision surgery group (77.4 ± 19.4 vs 85.3 ± 17.4; P = .011). In addition, the revision surgery group returned to play significantly later than the primary surgery group (9.4 ± 2 vs 8.1 ± 1.3 months, respectively; P < .001).ConclusionWhen compared with primary ACL autograft reconstruction, revision reconstruction patients exhibited lower psychological readiness scores and a longer time to meet the objective criteria for RTS.RegistrationNCT03704376 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Dataset Information

Quadriceps Strength Symmetry Does Not Modify Gait Mechanics After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Return-to-Sport Training.

Background

Purpose/hypothesis

Study design

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Quadriceps Strength Symmetry Does Not Modify Gait Mechanics After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Return-to-Sport Training.

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