Abnormal rotational knee motion during running after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
BACKGROUND
The effectiveness of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction for restoring normal knee kinematics is largely unknown, particularly during sports movements generating large, rapidly applied forces.


OBJECTIVE
Under dynamic in vivo loading, significant differences in 3-dimensional kinematics exist between anterior cruciate ligament-reconstructed knees and the contralateral, uninjured knees.


METHODS
Prospective, in vivo laboratory study.


METHODS
Kinematics of anterior cruciate ligament-reconstructed and contralateral (uninjured) knees were evaluated for 6 subjects during downhill running 4 to 12 months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, using a 250 frame/s stereoradiographic system. Anatomical reference axes were determined from computed tomography scans. Kinematic differences between the uninjured and reconstructed limbs were evaluated with a repeated-measures analysis of variance.


RESULTS
Anterior tibial translation was similar for the reconstructed and uninjured limbs. However, reconstructed knees were more externally rotated on average by 3.8 +/- 2.3 degrees across all subjects and time points (P =.0011). Reconstructed knees were also more adducted, by an average of 2.8 +/- 1.6 degrees (P =.0091). Although differences were small, they were consistent in all subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction failed to restore normal rotational knee kinematics during dynamic loading.


CONCLUSIONS
Although further study is required, these abnormal motions may contribute to long-term joint degeneration associated with anterior cruciate ligament injury/reconstruction.
Tashman
Scott
S
Bone and Joint Center, ER2015, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. tashman@bjc.hfh.edu
Collon
David
D
Anderson
Kyle
K
Kolowich
Patricia
P
Anderst
William
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012399:Rotation; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*