Variability in leg muscle power and hop performance after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2012 Jun;20(6):1143-51. doi: 10.1007/s00167-012-1912-y. Epub 2012 Feb 8.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this prospective study was to describe the variability in leg muscle power and hop performance up to 2 years among patients following ACL reconstruction and specifically to illustrate the effects of various criteria for an acceptable level of muscle function.

Methods: Eighty-two patients (56 men and 26 women)with a mean age of 28 years, who underwent ACL reconstruction using either hamstring tendons (n = 46) or a patellar tendon (n = 36), were assessed pre-operatively and 3, 6, 12 and 24 months post-surgery with a battery of three lower extremity muscle power tests and a battery of three hop tests.

Results: Leg symmetry index (LSI) values at group level ranged between 73 and 100% at all follow-ups. When the tests were evaluated individually, patients reached an average LSI of ≥ 90% at 24 months. The success rate at 24 months for the muscle power test battery, that is,patients with an LSI of ≥ 90% in all three tests, was 48 and 44% for the hop test battery. The success rate at 24 months for both test batteries on all six muscle function tests was 22%. The criterion of an LSI of ≥ 80% resulted in 53% of the patients having an acceptable level on all six tests,while with a criterion of an LSI of ≥ 100%, none of the patients reached an acceptable level.

Conclusion: At group level and in single muscle function tests, the muscle function outcome 1 and 2 years after ACL reconstruction is satisfactory in the present study and on a par with the results presented in the literature. However,when using more demanding criteria for a successful muscle function outcome, using batteries of tests or increasing the acceptable LSI level from ≥ 90% to ≥ 95%or ≥ 100%, the results are considered to be poor. It is suggested that this should be taken into consideration when presenting results after ACL rehabilitation, deciding on the criteria for a safe return to sports, or designing rehabilitation programmes after ACL reconstruction.

Level of evidence: Prognostic prospective cohort study, Level I.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament / surgery
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries*
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / rehabilitation*
  • Exercise Test
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Knee Injuries / surgery*
  • Leg / physiology*
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Motor Skills*
  • Muscle Strength*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Recovery of Function
  • Treatment Outcome