Motion Task Selection for Kinematic Evaluation After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review.
To examine the different motion tasks and the protocols used to objectively quantify dynamic stability in terms of knee kinematics at different stages of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) recovery.



A systematic search was done using OVID in Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, PsychINFO, and AMED. A combination of the following keywords and their variations were used: anterior cruciate ligament, motion tasks (e.g., jump, hop, gait), and stability. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) ACLR subjects were recruited, (2) at least 1 motion task was performed and kinematics data were recorded, and (3) uninjured subjects or the contralateral uninjured limbs were included as a control group. Exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) non-English language publications, (2) retrospective studies and review articles, (3) animal studies, and (4) cadaveric studies.



The search returned 2,195 studies, and 56 were included in this review according to the criteria. A total of 1,086 ACLR subjects were included. Pivoting, landing, walking, running, stair negotiation, and squats were assessed using optoelectronic motion capture, electrogoniometry, or video-radiography.



The appropriate selection of motion tasks is an integral factor in dynamic stability testing as it evokes different kinematic outcomes in relation to the different stages of ACLR recovery. Stair negotiation and landing tasks are best performed during the early stages of recovery, and landing and pivoting are recommended 6 months after ACLR surgery.



Level II, systematic review of Level I and II studies.
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Eldrich Norwin
EN
Chua
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Man Yi
MY
Yeung
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Sai Chuen
SC
Fu
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Patrick Shu Hang
PS
Yung
Guangzhou Military Hospital, Guangzhou, China.
Yu
Y
Zhang
Sports Medicine Service, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing, China.
Hua
H
Feng
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. Electronic address: kaimingchan@cuhk.edu.hk.
Kai Ming
KM
Chan
D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016138:Walking