Unanticipated jump-landing quality in patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: How long after the surgery and return to sport does the re-injury risk factor persist?

Background: Inadequate reactions to unforeseen external stimuli are regarded as a major cause for non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. We aimed to delineate a potential deficit in the ability to perform unanticipated jump-landing manoeuvres, its sustainability and potential as a new outcome measure after ACL-reconstruction.

Methods: Physically active adults (n = 27, 13 females, 14 males, 29.7 standard deviation 3.1 years) with a history of unilateral ACL rupture and subsequent reconstruction (6 months to 7 years ago), cleared for return to sports, were included. All participants performed counter-movement jumps with unanticipated single leg landings. Visual information shown after jump take-off indicated the required landing leg. Jump time [s] and successfulness [yes/no], vertical peak ground reaction forces at landing [N], as well as time to stabilisation after landing [s] and path length of the centre of pressure (CoP, [mm]) were calculated. Limb symmetry ratios were determined and analysed for their association with the time since surgery.

Findings: Time since ACL reconstruction was logarithmically (basis 10) associated with side symmetry improvements in peak ground reaction force (R = 0.23, p < .01) and time to stabilisation (R = 0.18, p < .01) during and after landing in unanticipated/unpredictable single-leg jump landing tasks. The asymmetry found persists up to 18-26 months post-surgery.

Interpretation: A deficit in unanticipated jump-landing ability seems to persist far beyond surgical restoration of mechanical stability and resumption of initial physical activities levels. The assessment of the ability to suddenly adapt movements to unanticipated visual stimuli may be a relevant complementary component within current functional testing canon in monitoring therapy success and return to sport testing.