[Interpretation of the pivot test using accelerometers in the orthopedic practice]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Biomechanics
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries often occur during sports involving rotational movements.
• Diagnosis of ACL injuries typically involves clinical tests like the Lachman, drawer, and pivot maneuvers.
• The KT1000 arthrometer is considered a gold standard for assessing anterior knee laxity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of accelerometers in plotting the pivot maneuver for diagnosing ACL injuries.
• To compare accelerometer data during pivot maneuvers between patients with and without ACL injuries.

Main Methods:

• A case-control descriptive study involving 92 participants.
• Patients underwent a pivot maneuver, with data recorded using accelerometers.
• KT1000 testing was used as the gold standard for diagnosis; 9 positive cases were matched with 9 controls.

Main Results:

• Accelerometers successfully plotted the pivot maneuver, generating similar charts for both cases and controls.
• Significant differences were observed only in one sedated patient with a severe KT1000 reading (15 mm).
• KT1000 alterations were more prevalent in females (78%) and affected the right leg in 67% of cases.

Conclusions:

• Accelerometers can document the pivot maneuver, aiding in the detection of differences between normal and injured ACLs.
• Patient consciousness during the maneuver influences results, with conscious patients offering more resistance than anesthetized patients.
• This technology offers a potential tool for objective documentation in ACL injury assessment.