Abstract
The objective of this research was to examine the dynamic restraint mechanism by establishing the neuromuscular characteristics of lower extremity muscles in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) subjects. This study also investigated neuromuscular variables that relate to postβACLR functional outcome. Thirteen patients having undergone ACLR using the bone patella tendon bone graft at least 6 months prior participated in this study. Knee functionality (0β to 100βpoint scale) was rated using the Cincinnati Knee Rating System. The median frequency of the electromyographic (EMG) recordings from the vastus medialis (VM) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles together with the isokinetic quadriceps torque generated in 10Β° intervals between 80Β° and 10Β° knee flexion was determined for the noninvolved and involved limbs. Lower limb musculotendinous stiffness was also assessed for the noninvolved and involved limbs. Limb symmetry indexes were calculated for each of the physiological measures. Compared to the noninvolved limb, the median frequency of the EMG from the involved limb VM and VL muscles was significantly lower as was the quadriceps torque generated at the seven knee flexion intervals. In contrast, musculotendinous stiffness was significantly higher in the involved lower limb compared to the noninvolved limb. Significant, moderate correlations were identified between knee functionality and symmetry indexes for all variables except for the isokinetic quadriceps torque produced between 80Β°β70Β° and 20Β°β10Β° knee flexion. More functional ACLR subjects demonstrated enhanced motor unit recruitment reflective of less quadriceps muscle fiber atrophy together with increased quadriceps strength and musculotendinous stiffness of the lower limb musculature. Β© 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 26:126β135, 2008