Changes in weight-bearing following injury or surgical reconstruction of the ACL: relationship to quadriceps strength and function.
OBJECTIVE
Changes in weight-bearing an average of 1.5 months after ACL injury (ACLD) and up to 3 months after surgical reconstruction (ACLR) were investigated using a force platform. Correlations between force platform test variables, quadriceps strength and functional self-report scores were also examined.


RESULTS
Each force platform test revealed impaired weight-bearing by either ACLD and/or ACLR subjects. Many variables were correlated to quadriceps strength; therefore, improved strength in ACLR subjects by 6 weeks post-operative negated any weight-bearing impairment. No single force platform variable correlated with the subjects' perception of function.


CONCLUSIONS
Only the step up/over test provided insight into disability in these patients. Modification of force platform analysis programs may allow for other clinical questions to be answered.
Chmielewski
Terese L
TL
Biomechanics and Movement Science Program, University of Delaware, 301 McKinly Lab, Newark, DE 19716, USA. tchm@udel.edu
Wilk
Kevin E
KE
Snyder-Mackler
Lynn
L
D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D011434:Proprioception; D016474:Weight-Bearing