Bialy M1,2, Kublin K1, Niechaj G2, Rachwalska J2, Hofstede J2, Gnat R3
1The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Motion Analysis Laboratory, Knee Research Group, Katowice, Poland, 2Sport-Klinika, Endoscopic Surgery Clinic, Functional Diagnosis Laboratory, Żory, Poland, 3The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Motion Analysis Laboratory, Katowice, Poland
Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are one of the most common knee ligament lesions accounting for up to 64% of all knee injuries. Even though reconstruction is first treatment for ACL rapture, the optimal time for surgery and its influence on postsurgical functional outcome remains unclear.
Purpose: The goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of different latencies between the primary ACL tear and its reconstruction on postsurgical functional outcome as measured by Functional Movement Screen tests (FMSTM) and muscle strength tests.
Methods: A group of 210 patients undergoing single-bundle ACL reconstruction (semitendinosus and gracilis tendon graft) was divided into 3 groups with regard to the latency between the primary ACL tear and surgery: low (1-3 mth, n=71); intermediate (4-12 mth, n=69) and high latency (>12 mth, n=70). Subjects' functional capability was determined using FMSTM battery of tests as well as isokinetic quadriceps and hamstrings strength tests at 60°/s and 180°/s collected with the use of Biodex Testing System. All measurements were taken by the two experienced investigators. The interrater reliability of FMSTM and isokinetic measurements was verified in the group of 12 healthy subjects. All subjects did not attend the preoperative rehabilitation program. After surgery they received a standardized rehabilitation intervention.
Results: With no exceptions, the ANOVA and post hoc Tukey's test revealed no significant inter-group differences between the outcomes of the FMSTM tests and values of all parameters gathered during the isokinetic strength tests.
Conclusion(s): In the light of this study, the latency between the primary ACL tear and surgery (1-3, 4-12, >12 mth) does not influence the postoperative functional outcome as measured by the FMSTM tests and muscle isokinetic strength tests up to one year after reconstruction. These findings may suggest that other clinical factors, e.g. attending preoperative rehabilitation program focused on swelling and edema management, restoring range of motion, muscle strength and movement coordination; might be more useful in predicting the functional outcome of the intervention.
Implications: For predicting functional results of ACL reconstruction, health practitioners, surgeons and physiotherapist should not consider timing from primary ACL tear to surgery as a main outcome predictor. It seems that other factors e.g. patient preoperative functional status, should be take into account for anticipating outcome after ACL surgery.
Keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, timing, functional tests
Funding acknowledgements: No funding to declare.
Purpose: The goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of different latencies between the primary ACL tear and its reconstruction on postsurgical functional outcome as measured by Functional Movement Screen tests (FMSTM) and muscle strength tests.
Methods: A group of 210 patients undergoing single-bundle ACL reconstruction (semitendinosus and gracilis tendon graft) was divided into 3 groups with regard to the latency between the primary ACL tear and surgery: low (1-3 mth, n=71); intermediate (4-12 mth, n=69) and high latency (>12 mth, n=70). Subjects' functional capability was determined using FMSTM battery of tests as well as isokinetic quadriceps and hamstrings strength tests at 60°/s and 180°/s collected with the use of Biodex Testing System. All measurements were taken by the two experienced investigators. The interrater reliability of FMSTM and isokinetic measurements was verified in the group of 12 healthy subjects. All subjects did not attend the preoperative rehabilitation program. After surgery they received a standardized rehabilitation intervention.
Results: With no exceptions, the ANOVA and post hoc Tukey's test revealed no significant inter-group differences between the outcomes of the FMSTM tests and values of all parameters gathered during the isokinetic strength tests.
Conclusion(s): In the light of this study, the latency between the primary ACL tear and surgery (1-3, 4-12, >12 mth) does not influence the postoperative functional outcome as measured by the FMSTM tests and muscle isokinetic strength tests up to one year after reconstruction. These findings may suggest that other clinical factors, e.g. attending preoperative rehabilitation program focused on swelling and edema management, restoring range of motion, muscle strength and movement coordination; might be more useful in predicting the functional outcome of the intervention.
Implications: For predicting functional results of ACL reconstruction, health practitioners, surgeons and physiotherapist should not consider timing from primary ACL tear to surgery as a main outcome predictor. It seems that other factors e.g. patient preoperative functional status, should be take into account for anticipating outcome after ACL surgery.
Keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, timing, functional tests
Funding acknowledgements: No funding to declare.
Topic: Orthopaedics; Musculoskeletal: lower limb
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice
Ethics committee: Bioethics Committee
Ethics number: 42795
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
