Evaluating Gait with Force Sensing Insoles 6 Months after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: An Autograft Comparison.

Introduction: Aberrant knee mechanics during gait 6 months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) are associated with markers of knee cartilage degeneration. The purpose of this study was to compare loading during walking gait in quadriceps tendon, bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB), and hamstring tendon autograft patients 6 months post-ACLR using loadsol single sensor insoles, and to evaluate associations between loading and patient-reported outcomes.

Methods: Seventy-two patients (13 to 40 yr) who underwent unilateral, primary ACLR with BPTB, quadriceps tendon, or hamstring tendon autograft completed treadmill gait assessment, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) survey, and the ACL-Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) survey 6 ± 1 months post-ACLR.

The Impact of Meniscal Tear Type and Surgical Treatment on Quadriceps Strength: A Study of Adolescent Patients Post Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Background: Treatment of meniscal injuries at the time of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) can result in restrictions on weightbearing and range of motion in the early rehabilitative phases. What is unknown is the effect of (1) meniscal tear type and location at the time of anterior cruciate ligament injury and (2) meniscal treatment at the time of ACLR on quadriceps strength in adolescents during the late rehabilitative phase.

Hypothesis: Meniscal tears involving the root and requiring repair would adversely affect quadriceps strength at 6 to 9 months postoperatively.

Lower Extremity Reaction Time in Individuals With Contact Versus Noncontact Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries After Reconstruction.

Context: Deficits in perceptual-motor function, like visuomotor reaction time (VMRT), are risk factors for primary and secondary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Noncontact ACL injuries have been associated with slower reaction time, but whether this association exists for patients with contact ACL injuries is unknown. Exploring differences in VMRT among individuals with contact versus noncontact ACL injuries may provide a more comprehensive understanding of modifiable risk factors.

Age-, Sex-, and Graft-Specific Reference Values From 783 Adolescent Patients at 5 to 7 Months After ACL Reconstruction: IKDC, Pedi-IKDC, KOOS, ACL-RSI, Single-Leg Hop, and Thigh Strength.

To describe age-, sex-, and graft source-specific reference values for patient-reported, physical function, and strength outcome measures in adolescents at 5 to 7 months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Cross-sectional study. Data were collected at 3 universities and 2 children's hospitals.

Validation of a Survey to Characterize Barriers to Physical Activity After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Context: Although 84% of patients expected to return to activity within 1 year of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR), as few as 24% will return to their preinjury level of activity. By considering a patient's perceptions of reengagement in activity after ACLR, clinicians and researchers may be better equipped to implement interventions that are patient centered.

Objective: To describe the validation of the ACL Reasons survey, a tool to aid clinicians and researchers in understanding patient perceptions of barriers to physical activity (PA) engagement after ACLR.

Quadriceps Strength and Knee-Related Symptom State 6 Months After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Context: Isometric quadriceps strength metrics and patient-reported outcomes are commonly used in return-to-sport assessments in those with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Patients may experience clinical knee-related symptoms aggravating enough to seek additional medical care after ACLR. In addition to seeking additional medical care, these patient-reported clinical knee-related symptoms may also influence function after ACLR.

Center of pressure characteristics differ during single leg stance throughout pregnancy and compared to nulligravida individuals.

Background: Falls are common during pregnancy and present potential for injury to the pregnant individual and the baby.

Research Question: Do center of pressure characteristics during single leg stance differ between participants during and after pregnancy and nulligravida participants in the presence and absence of visual input?

Methods: Nineteen pregnant participants completed testing during the second trimester, the third trimester, and 4-6 months post-partum. Matched, nulligravida females completed testing once.

An exploratory analysis of gait biomechanics and muscle activation in pregnant females with high and low scores for low back or pelvic girdle pain during and after pregnancy.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare gait kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activation between pregnant females with high and low scores for low back and/or pelvic girdle pain during and after pregnancy.

Methods: Twenty participants tested during second trimester, third trimester, and again post-partum. At each session, motion capture, force plates, and surface electromyography data were captured during self-selected velocity over-ground walking.

Lower extremity kinetics and muscle activation during gait are significantly different during and after pregnancy compared to nulliparous females.

Background: Low back, pelvic, and lower extremity pain are common during and after pregnancy. Understanding differences in mechanics between pregnant and non-pregnant females is a first step toward identifying potential pathological mechanisms. The primary purpose of this study was to compare joint kinetics and muscle activation during gait between females during and after pregnancy to nulliparous females.

External loading alters lower extremity kinetics, kinematics, and muscle activity in a distribution-specific manner during the transition from stair descent to level walking.

Background: Excess body mass is thought to be a major cause of altered biomechanics in obesity, but the effects of body mass distribution in biomechanics during daily living tasks are unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine how increasing body mass centrally and peripherally affects lower extremity kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activation when transitioning from stair descent to level gait.

Methods: Fifteen normal weight volunteers descended a staircase at a self-selected pace under unloaded, centrally loaded, and peripherally loaded conditions.

Knee extensor torque and BMI differently relate to sit-to-stand strategies in obesity.

Background: Obesity alters whole body kinematics during activities of daily living such as sit-to-stand (STS), but the relative contributions of excess body mass and decreased relative strength are unknown.

Methods: Three-dimensional motion analysis data was collected on 18 obese subjects performing sit-to-stand (chair height: 52 cm). Isometric knee extensor strength was measured at 90 knee flexion.

External loading alters trunk kinematics and lower extremity muscle activity in a distribution-specific manner during sitting and rising from a chair.

Background: Excess body mass alters gait biomechanics in a distribution-specific manner. The effects of adding mass centrally or peripherally on biomechanics during sitting and rising from a chair are unknown.

Methods: Motion analysis and lower extremity EMG were measured for fifteen healthy, normal weight subjects during sit-to-stand (SitTS) and stand-to-sit (StandTS) from a chair under unloaded (UN), centrally loaded (CL), and peripherally loaded (PL) conditions.