title: A comparison of cyclic variations in anterior knee laxity, genu recurvatum, and general joint laxity across the menstrual cycle.
abstract: Changes in anterior knee laxity (AKL), genu recurvatum (GR) and general joint laxity (GJL) were quantified across days of the early follicular and early luteal phases of the menstrual cycle in 66 females, and the similarity in their pattern of cyclic variations examined. Laxity was measured on each of the first 6 days of menses (M1-M6) and the first 8 days following ovulation (L1-L8) over two cycles. The largest mean differences were observed between L5 and L8 for AKL (0.32 mm), and between L5 and M1 for GR (0.56°) and GJL (0.26) (p < 0.013). At the individual level, mean absolute cyclic changes in AKL (1.8 ± 0.7 mm, 1.6 ± 0.7 mm), GR (2.8 ± 1.0°, 2.4 ± 1.0°), and GJL (1.1 ± 1.1, 0.7 ± 1.0) were more apparent, with minimum, maximum and delta values being quite consistent from month to month (ICC(2,3) = 0.51-0.98). Although the average daily pattern of change in laxity was quite similar between variables (Spearman correlation range 0.61 and 0.90), correlations between laxity measures at the individual level were much lower (range -0.07 to 0.43). Substantial, similar, and reproducible cyclic changes in AKL, GR, and GJL were observed across the menstrual cycle, with the magnitude and pattern of cyclic changes varying considerably among females.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Applied Neuromechanics Research Laboratory, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 1408 Walker Ave, Greensboro, North Carolina 27402, USA.
authors.forename: Sandra J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Shultz
authors.forename: Beverly J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: Anh-Dung
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Hyunsoo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Melissa M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Montgomery
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Perrin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*