Functional assessment of knee muscles 13 weeks after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction - pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Knee injuries with interior cruciate ligament rupture or strain are one of more common and more complicate ones for diagnosis, operation and multistage rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was assessment of force - velocity parameters of knee flexors and extensors in patients 13 weeks after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: 13 men, aged 18- 34 years participated in this research. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in 4 Polyclinic in Wrocław was carried out in each subjects. Assessment of force-velocity parameters of knee flexors and extensors both limbs in isokinetic conditions (in 180 degrees /s loads) was performed in all subjects. Each subject had to perform 5 flexion and extension movements in the knee in the sagittal plane. It was necessary for the subject to develop the peak torque in the shortest time possible, in each movement.

RESULTS: Significant statistically deficits of peak torque, maximum work and average power was obtained in injury limb. The registered deficit exceeded the 30% for all measured values.

CONCLUSIONS: After ACL reconstruction functional deficiency relates first of all to the quadriceps femoris what is confirmed by the higher H/Q ratio in peak torque compare to the healthy limb. Although low number of subjects participating in the study results of tests demonstrates reliable assessment of knee muscles' function in patients after ACL reconstruction allows calculation of deficit levels of force - velocity parameters and ipso facto possibility to select optimal rehabilitation program for each patient.