Mechanical Factors Contributing to Altered Knee Extension Moment during Gait after ACL Reconstruction: A Longitudinal Analysis

This study aimed to comprehensively examine the extent to which knee flexion angle at initial contact, peak knee flexion angle, and vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) contribute to knee extension moments during gait in individuals with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods Overground gait biomechanics were evaluated in 26 participants with ACL reconstruction at three time points (about 2, 4, and 6 months after the surgery). Knee flexion angle at initial contact, peak knee flexion angle, peak vGRF, and peak knee extension moment were calculated for each limb during the early stance phase of gait for all three time points. A change score from baseline (time point 2 − time point 1 and time point 3 − time point 1) along with limb symmetry values (ACL − non-ACL limb values) was also calculated for these variables. Multiple linear regressions utilizing classical and Bayesian interference methods were used to determine the contribution of knee flexion angle and vGRF to knee extension moment during gait. Results Peak knee flexion angle and peak vGRF positively contributed to knee extension moment during gait in both the reconstructed (R2 = 0.767, P
Source: Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise - Category: Sports Medicine Tags: APPLIED SCIENCES Source Type: research