Utilizing Hip Abduction Strength to Body-Weight Ratios in Return to Sport Decision-Making After ACL Reconstruction

Abstract

# Background Despite the association between hip abduction weakness and non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, hip abduction strength is rarely considered in return to sport decision-making following ACL reconstruction (ACLR). # Hypothesis/Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare self-reported function, objective functional test performance, and re-injury rates in patients with high (≥33%) versus low (<33% ) isometric hip abduction strength to body weight (BW) ratios when returning to activity following ACLR. # Study Design Cohort study # Methods Data were gathered from a single-surgeon database and included baseline demographics. Clinical outcomes were assessed at the time of release to activity and included self-reported outcomes and a functional testing battery. Isometric hip abduction strength was obtained using a handheld dynamometer. Groups were dichotomized into those with low vs high strength to BW ratios. Two-year follow-up was performed using the single assessment numeric evaluation (SANE). Data were analyzed using univariate general linear models with an alpha level of .05. # Results Of the 528 enrolled patients, 364 (68.9%) demonstrated a low strength to BW ratio. Baseline comparisons revealed more females and higher BMI (P <.05) in the <33% group. At release to activity, the <33% BW group demonstrated lower International Knee Documentation Committee survey scores (88.2 ± 13.6 vs 93.5 ± 10.3, P<.01), ACL-Return to Sport After Injury (76.2 ± 15.4 vs 88.5 ± 16.9, P<.01) scores, and isokinetic hamstring peak torque (P=.04). At 2-years, the <33% group reported lower SANE scores (83.3 ± 21.1 vs 92.83 ± 11.4, P=.05) with no significant differences in re-injuries. # Conclusion Patients with low hip abduction strength to BW ratios demonstrated lower subjective function, psychological readiness, and isokinetic hamstring peak torque when completing functional testing following ACLR. Subjective deficits remained at 2-years. # Level of Evidence Level 3 # Key Terms ACL injury, hip abduction strength, return to sport, strength ratio # Clinical Relevance Assessing isometric hip abduction strength to body weight ratio may be beneficial in determining readiness to return to sport following ACL reconstruction. # What is Known About the Subject Three prospective studies have provided conflicting evidence regarding the relationship between hip abduction strength and ACL injury. A clinical cut-point of hip abduction strength:BW ratio <35.4% has been suggested to identify athletes at risk of sustaining a non-contact ACL injury. To our knowledge no studies have examined isometric hip abduction strength:BW ratios in athletes attempting to return to sport following ACLR. # What This Study Adds to Existing Knowledge This study examines the potential for hip abduction strength:BW ratio to be included as an additional metric in return to sport testing batteries.