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Symmetry restoration and functional recovery before and after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

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.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Therapy, University of Delaware, 301 McKinly Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA

    David Logerstedt & Lynn Snyder-Mackler

  2. Biomechanics and Movement Science, University of Delaware, 301 McKinly Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA

    Andrew Lynch

  3. Medical Arts Pavilion I, 4745 Ogletown-Stanton Road, Suite 225, Newark, DE, 19713, USA

    Michael J. Axe

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  1. David Logerstedt
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  2. Andrew Lynch
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  3. Michael J. Axe
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  4. Lynn Snyder-Mackler
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Correspondence to David Logerstedt.

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Logerstedt, D., Lynch, A., Axe, M.J. et al. Symmetry restoration and functional recovery before and after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 21, 859–868 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-012-1929-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-012-1929-2

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