Open AccessSymmetry restoration and functional recovery before and after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Author(s) -
Logerstedt David,
Lynch Andrew,
Axe Michael J.,
SnyderMackler Lynn
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.806
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1433-7347
pISSN - 0942-2056
DOI - 10.1007/s00167-012-1929-2
Subject(s) - anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction , medicine , anterior cruciate ligament , physical therapy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , athletes , return to sport , surgery
Purpose The aims of this study were to evaluate the functional recovery before and after ACL reconstruction and to evaluate the sensitivity to change in performance‐based and self‐reported outcomes prior to and after ACL reconstruction and to determine whether these changes represent clinically relevant improvement. Methods Eighty‐three athletes participated in this study. Athletes were tested after an ACL injury, after preoperative training, and 6 and 12 months after ACL reconstruction. Athletes completed quadriceps strength testing, hop testing, and self‐reported questionnaires for knee function (International Knee Documentation Committee subjective knee form, Knee Outcome Survey‐Activities of Daily Living Scale, and the Global Rating Scale of Perceived Function) at each testing period. Results A significant interaction of limb by time was seen in normalized quadriceps strength, and single, triple, and 6‐m timed hop, where the involved limb improved more than the uninvolved limb over time. A main effect of time was noted for performance‐based limb symmetry indexes and self‐reported measures. Conclusion Limb‐to‐limb asymmetries are reduced, and normal limb symmetry is restored after perturbation training and aggressive quadriceps strengthening and returned to similar levels 6 months after reconstruction. Performance‐based values on the involved limb and self‐reported outcomes are sensitive to change over time, and these were clinically relevant improvements. Level of evidence Prognostic study, Level II.