Functional Evaluation of Knee after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction -6-month Post-operative Follow-up

Abstract

Of 35 patients, their knee function was evaluated 6 months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Isometric (60° and 90°) and isokinetic (60°/sec and 180°/sec) thigh muscular strength were measured by Cybex II, and KT-1000 measurement was made for identifying anterior-posterior knee stability. In the thigh muscular strength, peak torque/body weight × 100 (%) of knee extension at 60°/sec (% peak torque) was calculated. Fourteen patients showed more than 65 % peak torque (A group), while 21 patients showed less than 65 % (B group). Significantly higher values were found in the A group in isometric 60° and isokinetic 60°/sec and 180°/sec testing conditions. In the results of KT-1000 measurement, mean side-to-side difference in manual maximal anterior displacement was 2.7 ± 2.8mm in A group, and 0.8 ± 2.7mm in B group. Moreover, for the A group, functional ability test (FAT), which included one-legged figure-of-8 hopping, one-legged side-hopping, and one-legged long hopping, were performed in order to estimate their performance. Only 3 patients indicated results “normal” in all the three tests of FAT. In conclusion, at the 6-month post-operative follow-up period, we should examine not only knee stability and thigh muscular strength but also functional performance to identify restoration of their knee function after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.