Does concomitant meniscectomy or meniscal repair affect the recovery of quadriceps function post-ACL reconstruction?

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of concomitant meniscal surgery on the recovery of quadriceps activation and strength at a time when individuals return to sport following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Forty-six individuals that were cleared for participation following ACL reconstruction were invited to participate in this study. Participants were placed into groups according to surgical reports (ACL-only, n = 24; meniscal repair, n = 12; meniscectomy, n = 10). Quadriceps strength was quantified using isokinetic and isometric measures. Isokinetic strength was collected at 60°/s in concentric mode. Isometric strength was collected at 90° of knee flexion. Quadriceps activation was assessed using the burst superimposition technique and quantified via the central activation ratio. One-way ANOVAs were utilized to detect whether differences existed in quadriceps activation and strength between groups. Where appropriate, post hoc Bonferroni multiple comparison procedures were used.

Quadriceps activation (P = n.s.) and strength (isokinetic: P = n.s.; isometric: P = n.s.) were not different between groups.

Concomitant meniscectomy or meniscal repair did not affect the recovery of quadriceps activation and strength at a time when individuals return to sport following ACL reconstruction. Though group differences in quadriceps function were not detected, all participants demonstrated levels of quadriceps activation failure that are below healthy individuals at a time when they were returned to sport. Given that persistent quadriceps activation failure is detrimental to knee function, rehabilitation protocols that target quadriceps activation failure should be developed and employed post-reconstruction.