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Age as a predictor of residual muscle weakness after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this study was to reveal the predicting factors for muscle recovery in the lower extremity after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Methods

One hundred and thirty-five (135) patients who underwent ACL reconstruction using hamstring autograft were evaluated. Exclusion criteria were bilateral ACL injury, chondral treatment and multiple ligament injury. Nonanatomical single-bundle reconstruction (SB) was performed in 79 patients, and anatomical double-bundle reconstruction (DB) was performed in 56 patients. Strength of quadriceps and knee flexion muscles were assessed at 60°/s using a Cybex II dynamometer (Lumex, Ronkonkoma, NY) at 3, 6 and 9 months after ACL reconstruction. Anterior tibial translation and pivot shift test were also evaluated. The medical records were reviewed to extract the following information: age, gender, the amount of pre and postoperative KT 1000, technique of reconstruction (SB or DB) and postoperative knee rotation.

Results

No significant difference of muscle recovery in the lower extremity was observed at any time point after ACL reconstruction between the SB and DB groups. The DB group showed significantly better postoperative antero-posterior and rotational knee laxity than the SB group. Logistic regression analysis showed significant correlation with only age and muscle recovery.

Conclusion

For clinical relevance, there is a risk of muscle recovery delay when ACL reconstruction is performed in elderly patients. Anatomical DB reconstruction resulted in significantly better knee stability, but had no positive effect on muscle recovery.

Level of evidence

Retrospective study, Level II.

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Abbreviations

ACL:

Anterior cruciate ligament

ATT:

Anterior tibial translation

RH:

Rehabilitation

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Conflict of interest

The authors received no funding support for this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Rehabilitation Medicine, Gunma University Hospital, Showa machi 3-39-15, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan

    Takanori Iriuchishima, Kenji Shirakura, Naoki Wada, Makoto Sohmiya & Masayuki Tazawa

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kamimoku Hot Springs Hospital, Minakami, Japan

    Takanori Iriuchishima

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Surugadai Nihon University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

    Takashi Horaguchi

  4. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Freddie H. Fu

Authors
  1. Takanori Iriuchishima
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  2. Kenji Shirakura
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  3. Takashi Horaguchi
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  4. Naoki Wada
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  5. Makoto Sohmiya
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  6. Masayuki Tazawa
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  7. Freddie H. Fu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Takanori Iriuchishima.

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Iriuchishima, T., Shirakura, K., Horaguchi, T. et al. Age as a predictor of residual muscle weakness after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 20, 173–178 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-011-1633-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-011-1633-7

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