Function and Disability Journal (Jan 2018)
Musculoskeletal Complication Following Arthroscopy Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction 6 Months Post-operatively
Abstract
Abstract Farsi Background and Objective: Muscle strength deficits have usually been found after ACL reconstruction. Some studies have demonstrated a relationship between lower extremity muscle strength and the single-leg hop test in the ACL reconstructed knees. The aim of this study is to evaluate possible differences in lower limbs including function, muscle strength length and anterior knee pain, 6 months after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction between involved and uninvolved side. Method: Sixty patients who underwent anatomic double bundle ACL reconstruction were examined 6 - 36 months post-operatively. All subjects had undergone the same rehabilitation protocol after ACL reconstruction. Lower extremity isometric strength, muscle length and Triple Single-leg hop test were assessed. Measurements were performed 3 times within a 2-minute interval. The normal limb was tested before the operated limb. The peak strength value was normalized by the body weight. Results: In the Single-leg hop test there was statistically significant difference in the lower limbs comparing the involved with the uninvolved knee (P < 0.001). In the Tensor Fascia Lata-Ilio Tibial Band (ITB/TFL) length, there was statistically significant difference in the lower limbs (P < 0.001). In the isometric knee flexion strength there was statistically significant difference in the lower limbs at 90° (P < 0.001) and 105° (P < 0.001) knee flexion. In the isometric knee extension strength there was statistically significant difference in the lower limbs at 5° (P < 0.001), 45° (P = 0.025) and 90° (P = 0.003) knee flexion. In the isometric hip abduction, internal rotation and plantar flexion strengths there were statistically significant difference in the lower limbs (P < 0.001). There was statistically significant correlation between isometric muscle strength ratio (involved vs. uninvolved) and Single-leg hop test in hip abduction (r = 0.345, P < 0.001) , knee extension at 45° (r = 0.245, P = 0.05) and at 90° (r = 0.379, P = 0.002) knee flexion and between isometric muscle strength ratio and anterior knee pain in hip abduction (r = 0.345, P = 0.03) , knee extension at 90° (r = 0.311, P = 0.009) and at 5° (r = 0.272, P = 0.023) knee flexion. Conclusion: Our study shows that after ACL reconstruction, lower limb function and strength deficit remained despite the completion of rehabilitation. These deficits were found at knee, hip and ankle joints. The present results can be used for re-planning rehabilitation protocol.
