The Relationship between Peak Torque and Work of the Quadriceps and Hamstrings after Meniscectomy

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between isokinetic peak torque and work of the quadriceps and hamstrings in the injured and uninjured leg after arthroscopic meniscectomy. Subjects were 19 male patients who were recovering from knee arthroscopic meniscectomy with an average follow-up time from surgery to isokinetic testing of 5 months. Testing was performed at 120, 180, and 240 degrees /sec. A high correlation (r = 0.858-0.970) was noted between peak torque and work for the quadriceps and hamstrings of both legs at all three testing speeds. At the slowest speed work was significantly greater than peak torque, while at the fastest speed work was significantly less than peak torque. At the middle speed, peak torque and work did not differ significantly. Work deficits clearly reflected peak torque deficits of the injured and uninjured knees. In summary, work analysis may offer little additional information to that attained by peak torque analysis.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1987;8(8):405-408.