Side-to-side differences in lower limb joint kinematics during an unanticipated cutting task and the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score in female athletes who returned to sport following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Abstract

The side-to-side differences in lower limb kinematics during sport-related activities and self-reported outcome measures in female athletes who returned to play following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction(RTP-ACLR) are unknown. The purposes of this study were to identify the characteristics of side-to-side differ ences in lower limb joint kinematics during an unanticipated cutting task (UCT), and to measure the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) in female athletes following RTP-ACLR. Fifteen competitive female bas ketball athletes who RTP-ACLR participated in this study. Lower limb joint kinematics during the UCT were as sessed using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. KOOS was assessed for subjectsʼknee condition. The injured-side maximal hip flexion angle, knee flexion angle at initial contact and maximal knee flexion angle during the UCT were significantly smaller than on the uninjured side. The KOOS subscales on the injured side were sig nificantly lower than on the uninjured side. Female athletes following RTP-ACLR had reduced hip and knee flex ion angles on the injured side during the UCT, and lower KOOS scores on the injured side compared to the non injured side.