Does limited internal femoral rotation increase peak anterior cruciate ligament strain during a simulated pivot landing?

BACKGROUND: Many factors contributing to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk have been investigated. Recently, some ACL-injured individuals have presented with a decreased range of hip internal rotation compared with controls. The pathomechanics of why decreased hip range of motion increases risk of ACL injury have not yet been studied.

HYPOTHESIS: Peak relative strain of the anteromedial bundle of the ACL (AM-ACL) during a simulated single-leg pivot landing is inversely related to the available range of internal femoral rotation.

STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study.

METHODS: A series of pivot landings were simulated in 10 female and 10 male human knee specimens with a testing apparatus that applied a 2-bodyweight impulsive load, inducing knee compression, flexion moment, and internal tibial torque. The range of internal femoral rotation was (1) locked at ~0°, (2) limited with a hard stop to ~7°, (3) limited with a hard stop to ~11°, or (4) free, with rotation resisted by 2 springs to simulate the resistance of the active hip rotator muscles to stretch. The AM-ACL strain was quantified with a differential variable reluctance transducer. A linear mixed model was used to determine whether a significant linear relation existed between peak AM-ACL relative strain and range of internal femoral rotation.

RESULTS: Peak AM-ACL relative strain was inversely related to the available range of internal femoral rotation (R (2) = 0.91; P < .001), with strain increasing 1.3% for every 10° decrease in rotation; this represented a 20% increase in peak relative strain, given an average range of femoral rotation of 15° upon landing in healthy athletes.

CONCLUSION: Peak AM-ACL relative strain was inversely proportional to the available range of internal femoral rotation during simulated single-leg pivot landings.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Decreased range of internal femoral rotation results in greater ACL strain and may therefore increase the susceptibility to ACL rupture with athletic cutting and pivoting activities. Screening for a limited range of hip internal rotation should therefore become a component of not only ACL injury prevention programs but also evaluation protocols for those with ACL injuries and/or reconstructions.