Hip flexion strength remains decreased in anterior cruciate ligament reconstructed patients at one-year follow up compared to healthy controls.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate hip muscle flexion strength in patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with patellar or hamstrings tendon graft and compare them with healthy controls.

Methods: Sixty-eight male ACL deficient patients who underwent reconstruction (36 patients with hamstrings tendon graft and 32 patients with patellar tendon graft; randomized selection of type of graft) in our department, between July 2011 and July 2012, were enrolled in this randomised prospective study. Also 64 healthy male weekend athletes participated in the study as a control group. Hip flexor strength was measured by isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex), pre-operatively and one year after reconstruction. The statistical packet STATA 8.0 was used and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: Hip flexion strength in ACL reconstructed patients either with patellar tendon or hamstrings grafts, one year after reconstruction is significantly decreased compared to healthy controls (p < 0.0001). Patients reconstructed with patellar tendon have stronger hip flexors than those reconstructed with hamstrings graft (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: Hip flexion strength remains decreased one year after ACL surgery compared to healthy controls. Patellar tendon could be the graft of choice for ACL reconstruction in athletes who must preserve stronger hip flexors.