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Quadriceps function relates to muscle size following ACL reconstruction
Author(s) -
Kuenze Christopher M.,
Blemker Silvia S.,
Hart Joseph M.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1554-527X
pISSN - 0736-0266
DOI - 10.1002/jor.23166
Subject(s) - medicine , vastus medialis , magnetic resonance imaging , quadriceps muscle , thigh , physical medicine and rehabilitation , physical therapy , surgery , electromyography , radiology
It remains unclear what role reduced volume and cross‐section area (CSA) of individual quadriceps muscles may play in persistent quadriceps weakness and more global dysfunction following ACL reconstruction (ACLR). The purpose of this investigation was to establish the relationship between cross‐sectional area of the quadriceps muscle group and measures of knee related and quadriceps function following ACLR. Thirty participants with a history of primary, unilateral ACLR experiencing persistent quadriceps activation failure participated in this cohort study. Clinical factors including International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, normalized knee extension MVIC torque (Nm/kg) and quadriceps central activation ratio (CAR, %) were assessed in addition to CSA. Quadriceps CSA was measured via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; Siemens Avanto 1.5T). Quadriceps CSA (cm 2 ) and quadriceps volume (cm 3 ) as well as individual muscle estimates were identified within a 10 cm mid‐thigh capture area. Pearson's product‐moment correlation coefficients ( r ) established relationships between CSA and all other variables. Stepwise linear regression established which CSA factors were able to successfully predict clinical factors. Knee extension MVIC torque was strongly correlated with Vastus Intermedius (VI; r = 0.857, p < 0.001) CSA as well as partial VI ( r = 0.849, p < 0.001) and quadriceps ( r = 0.830, p < 0.001) volume. Partial VI ( r = 0.365, p = 0.047) volume was weakly correlated with IKDC score. Knee extension MVIC torque was strongly predicted using VI CSA alone ( R 2 = 0.725) or in combination with Vastus Medialis CSA (VM; R 2 = 0.756). Statement of Clinical Significance: Atrophy of the VI and VM muscles negatively impacts knee extension strength following ACLR. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1656–1662, 2016.