Gait Alterations After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury and Implications for Return-to-Play Testing
Advisor Information
Brian Knarr
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
1-3-2019 12:30 PM
End Date
1-3-2019 1:45 PM
Abstract
Introduction: Reoccurring injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a major problem for individuals who undergo ACL reconstructive surgery despite them meeting current requirements for return-to-play. Previous studies have found alterations in gait kinetics and kinematics of ACL deficient and ACL reconstruction patients. It is unknown if gait parameters, such as peak joint angles and moments, provide different information about patient function from what is provided by return-to-play outcomes. Purpose: To assess the relationships between peak joint angles, peak joint moments, and return-to-play outcomes for individuals with ACL injury. Methods: 6 subjects (3 ACL reconstruction, 3 ACL deficient) performed two-minute walk trials on an instrumented split-belt treadmill while kinetics and kinematics were collected. Subjects additionally performed several clinical assessments, which were correlated with knee joint angles and moments. Conclusions: Mean peak joint angles and moments had weak to moderately strong relationships with return-to-play outcomes with knee extension moments generally showing the strongest relationships. Weak relationships suggest gait parameters may provide unique information about patient outcomes and can potentially be used in return-to-play assessment.
Gait Alterations After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury and Implications for Return-to-Play Testing
Introduction: Reoccurring injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a major problem for individuals who undergo ACL reconstructive surgery despite them meeting current requirements for return-to-play. Previous studies have found alterations in gait kinetics and kinematics of ACL deficient and ACL reconstruction patients. It is unknown if gait parameters, such as peak joint angles and moments, provide different information about patient function from what is provided by return-to-play outcomes. Purpose: To assess the relationships between peak joint angles, peak joint moments, and return-to-play outcomes for individuals with ACL injury. Methods: 6 subjects (3 ACL reconstruction, 3 ACL deficient) performed two-minute walk trials on an instrumented split-belt treadmill while kinetics and kinematics were collected. Subjects additionally performed several clinical assessments, which were correlated with knee joint angles and moments. Conclusions: Mean peak joint angles and moments had weak to moderately strong relationships with return-to-play outcomes with knee extension moments generally showing the strongest relationships. Weak relationships suggest gait parameters may provide unique information about patient outcomes and can potentially be used in return-to-play assessment.