Correlation between Hamstring Flexor Power Restoration and Functional Performance Test: 2-Year Follow-Up after ACL...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Sports medicine
• Rehabilitation science

Background:

• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a common orthopedic procedure.
• Hamstring autografts are frequently used for ACL reconstruction.
• Restoration of knee flexor power is crucial for functional recovery post-ACL surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the recovery of knee flexor power after ACL reconstruction with hamstring autograft.
• To determine the correlation between flexor power and functional performance tests (FPTs) at one and two years post-surgery.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 23 male patients undergoing ACL reconstruction with hamstring autograft was assessed.
• Evaluations included Lysholm score, Subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Tegner activity score, isokinetic flexion/hyperflexion power tests, and FPTs at 1 and 2-year follow-ups.
• Analysis focused on the change in power from year 1 to year 2 and correlations between power deficits and FPTs.

Main Results:

• Tegner activity scores significantly increased from 5.7 to 6.3 (p=.010) between follow-ups.
• Hyperflexion power deficits in the operated knee significantly decreased at 2 years compared to 1 year (p<.001).
• A correlation was observed between flexor power deficit and co-contraction, carioca, and single-leg hop tests, but not with hyperflexion power deficits and FPTs.

Conclusions:

• Hyperflexion power deficit following ACL reconstruction with hamstring autograft shows improvement at the 2-year follow-up compared to the 1-year mark.
• The degree of hyperflexion power deficit does not appear to influence the outcomes of functional performance tests at two years post-surgery.