Assessment of neuromuscular control in patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most important stabilisers of the knee joint. The key role of ACL is to resist anterior translation of the tibia in relation to the femur. At the same time, ACL does not only perform a mechanical limiting function, but is also an important component of the sensorimotor system. The aim of this study was to assess neuromuscular control in patients after ACL reconstruction by evaluatingthe maintenance of dynamic balance.

Twenty-six patients (aged 28.4±6.3 years) after ACL reconstruction (ACLR group) were enrolled. All patients had undergone arthroscopic reconstruction of ACL, and were recruited to the study 11-13 months after the surgery. Thirty-seven healthy individuals served as a control group (CTRL). The maintenance of the single-leg and two-leg standing position on an unstable surface was assessed using the Biodex Balance System SD.

The ACLR group differed from the control group in the values of the overall stability index (p<0.05; 6.53±2.04, and 5.27±1.42, respectively) when stability control in the two-leg position was assessed. Additionally, in the single-leg position, the values of the study parameters were significantly higher (p<0.05) in ACLR in comparison to CTRL: 9.73±2.55 vs.7.23±1.48, and 9.42±2.38 vs. 5.64±1.51 respectively, for the dominant and non-dominant leg.

At one year after ACL reconstruction, significant deficits of neuromuscular control were observed during motor tasks requiring considerable sensorimotor system involvement.