Article

Following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL) patients have altered
movement patterns in the reconstructed knee during walking. There is limited
information about these alterations over an extended period of time. This study
was designed to present a longitudinal analysis of gait patterns following ACL
reconstruction surgery. Assessments of level walking were undertaken in 16
participants at a mean 10 months (initial assessment) and again at 3 years
(follow-up assessment) after ACL reconstruction surgery.
Kinematic and kinetic
variables were analysed using a two factor (time, limb) repeated measures ANOVA.
Kinematic data showed that patients were able to achieve greater extension about
the reconstructed knee at follow-up than at initial assessment. The reconstructed
knee was significantly less internally rotated than the contralateral knee at the
initial assessment but not at follow-up. Kinetic data showed a significant
increase in the external knee extension moment for the reconstructed limb over
time. There were also significant increases in the external knee adduction moment
for both limbs at the follow-up assessment. The external knee adduction moment
was however smaller in the reconstructed knee than the contralateral knee at both
assessments. The results indicate that gait variables do change over time and
that measurement at a single time point may not reflect the long term outcome of
ACL reconstruction surgery.
The changes were however small and may not be
clinically relevant. However, the consistently reduced external knee adduction
moment seen about the reconstructed knee in this study may suggest that factors
other than joint moments influence degenerative change over time.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS