Analysis of Limb Loading and Lower Extremity Strength Recovery Across Time After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Abstract

Background: Evidence as to how patient thigh muscle strength and limb loading (LL) during a squatting task recovers throughout rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is lacking.

Hypothesis: Patients will improve LL and strength throughout rehabilitation. Changes in LL and strength over time will be positively correlated.

Study design: Prospective cohort study.

Level of evidence: Level 3.

Methods: A total of 60 participants (28 male/32 female; age, 22.5 ± 9.35 years) participated in 2 visits post-ACLR, assessing LL and strength. Using an instrumented pressure mat, patients completed 3 sets of 3 repetitions of bodyweight squats. Peak force (N), unilateral cumulative load (%), and quadriceps and hamstring isokinetic peak torque (N·m) were calculated and recorded bilaterally. LL and peak torque were compared over time and between limbs.

Results: A significant limb-by-time interaction was observed for LL peak force (N), where patients underloaded the ACLR limb at visit 1 compared with the contralateral limb (P < 0.01). Patients increased their ACLR LL across visits (P = 0.04). A limb-by-time interaction for quadriceps peak torque (N·m) was observed where the ACLR limb increased peak torque across visits (P < 0.01); however, strength deficits persisted at visit 2 (P < 0.01) when compared with the nonoperative limb. Weak correlations were observed between all change scores metrics (r, 0.20-0.25).

Conclusion: Patients recovering from ACLR exhibited more symmetric loading during a squatting task and improved their lower extremity strength over time. Changes in strength were not related to changes in LL during a squatting task over time.

Clinical relevance: Squatting tasks are safe and easily implemented throughout ACLR recovery. As changes in functional LL and strength recovery are not related, both should be considered in serial postoperative testing for more comprehensive function and strength assessments.