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Differences in patellofemoral kinematics between weightbearing and non-weightbearing conditions in patients with arthrofibrosis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

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A Letter to the Editor to this article was published on 30 May 2022

Abstract

Objective

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the difference of patellofemoral kinematics between weightbearing and non-weightbearing conditions in the arthrofibrotic knee after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Methods

Twenty patients with arthrofibrosis after ACL reconstruction were included in the study. Computed tomography scanner and dual fluoroscopic imaging techniques were used to compare patellofemoral kinematics of the affected knee between weightbearing knee flexion and non-weightbearing knee flexion. In both positions, patellofemoral kinematics in six degrees-of-freedom (6 DOF) were measured respectively.

Results

The patellar lateral tilt angle (p = 0.007) and medial patellar translation (p = 0.043) under the weightbearing condition were significantly decreased compared to the non-weightbearing task between 5° and 15° of knee flexion. The lateral patellar translation during a non-weightbearing task was significantly decreased between 60° and 75° of knee flexion (p = 0.005), and the inferior patellar translation under the weightbearing condition was significantly increased between 45° and 75° of knee flexion (p = 0.040).

Conclusion

These results indicate that patellofemoral kinematics during non-weightbearing positions do not sufficiently represent the patellar tracking during functional weightbearing activities. Our findings of this study establish the clinical relevance and significance of assessing the patellofemoral kinematics under the weightbearing condition when evaluating patients with arthrofibrosis after ACL reconstruction.

Trial registration

Trial registration number: ChiCTR1900025977.

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Availability of data and material

Data are available on reasonable request.

Code availability

Not applicable.

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Acknowledgements

This manuscript has been edited for English language by professional editors at Editage, a division of Cactus Communications.

Funding

This study is supported by the (China) State’s Key Project of Research and Development Plan [grant numbers 2018YFF 0300504].

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 500th Quxi Road, Shanghai, 200010, China

    Ling Zhang, Shuai Fan, Jiling Ye & Bin Cai

  2. Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Science, Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China

    Ling Zhang & Shao-bai Wang

Authors
  1. Ling Zhang
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  2. Shao-bai Wang
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  3. Shuai Fan
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  4. Jiling Ye
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  5. Bin Cai
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Contributions

(I) Conception and design: B Cai; (II) administrative support: SB Wang, S Fan; (III) provision of study materials or patients: L Zhang, S Fan; (IV) collection and assembly of data: L Zhang, JL Ye; (V) data analysis and interpretation: L Zhang, SB Wang; (VI) manuscript writing: all authors; (VII) final approval of manuscript: all authors.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bin Cai.

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Ethics approval

The authors are accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. This study was performed in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki (as revised in 2013) and approved by the Ethics Committee of Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China (reference number: SH9H-2019-T220-1). Informed consent was obtained from each patient before taking part.

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Paper submitted with consent participation of patients.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Zhang, L., Wang, Sb., Fan, S. et al. Differences in patellofemoral kinematics between weightbearing and non-weightbearing conditions in patients with arthrofibrosis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 46, 837–843 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-022-05302-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-022-05302-7

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