title: Strength and functional performance recovery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in preadolescent athletes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the skeletally immature population, the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and ACL reconstructions appears to be increasing. Differences in surgical techniques, physiology, and emotional maturity may alter the rehabilitation progression and impact the outcomes when compared with adults. Reports of objective strength recovery and performance-based outcome measures after pediatric ACL reconstruction (ACLR) are limited.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level 4.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients that underwent all-epiphyseal ACLR from January 2008 to August 2010 were identified. Isokinetic peak quadriceps/hamstring torque values and functional performance measures in unilateral hopping tasks were extracted and compared with the noninjured limb. A limb symmetry index (LSI) of ≥90% was considered satisfactory.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete data were available for 16 patients (mean age, 12.28 years; range, 8.51-14.88 years). By a mean 7 months (range, 3.02-12.56 years) postoperatively, only 9 of 16 (56%) were able to achieve a satisfactory LSI for quadriceps strength. For hamstring strength, 15 of 16 (94%) were able to achieve satisfactory LSI. By a mean of 12 months (range, 5.39-24.39 months) postoperatively, only 6 of 16 subjects (38%) were able to achieve satisfactory performance on all functional hop tests. At a mean 15.42 months (range, 8.58-24.39 months) postsurgery, only 4 of 16 (25%) subjects were able to achieve an LSI of ≥90% on all testing parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For some pediatric patients, significant strength and functional deficits may be present at greater than 1 year after ACLR. This population may require more prolonged rehabilitation programs to allow for adequate recovery of strength and function because of unique characteristics of normal growth and development.
authors: Sports Medicine and Performance Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors: Elliot M
authors: EM
authors: Greenberg
authors: Stony Brook University, Department of Physical Therapy, Stony Brook, New York.
authors: Eric T
authors: ET
authors: Greenberg
authors: Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors: Theodore J
authors: TJ
authors: Ganley
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors: J Todd R
authors: JT
authors: Lawrence
keywords: anterior cruciate ligament; functional hop test; knee; pediatric; strength