Functional assessment using the step-up-and-over test and forward lunge following ACL reconstruction

This investigation compared lower extremity function of a control group and a group of patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using a repeated measures post-test only control group design. The ACL reconstruction group consisted of 18 patients at least 6 months postoperative (mean 58+/-19 weeks) and the control group consisted of 18 healthy, recreationally active individuals. Both groups performed a step-up-and-over test and a forward lunge on a long force plate. During the step-up-and-over test, the control group produced significantly more force during the initial step than the ACL reconstruction group. Also, when the ACL reconstruction patients led with the involved extremity, they were significantly slower. During the forward lunge test, the impact index and force impulse measurements were significantly greater for the uninvolved leg than the involved leg in the ACL reconstruction group. The implications are that force generation during functional tests may remain compromised for >1 year following reconstruction. The aforementioned tests are promising for evaluation of function following ACL reconstruction.