Femoral tunnel widening is associated with thigh muscle weakness following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A call for targeted rehabilitation.

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of femoral tunnel widening and tibial tunnel widening on the clinical and functional outcomes of a patient after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.MethodsThis study evaluated patients using the International Knee Documentation Committee score, Lysholm Knee Score, and Tegner Activity Scale score. Quadriceps and hamstring strength measurements on both operated and contralateral sides were recorded using an isokinetic dynamometer. Anterior laxity was assessed using a KT-1000 arthrometer. Tunnel widening rates were calculated as percentages using three-dimensional computed tomography. Statistical analysis included paired t-tests to assess tunnel widening effects.ResultsA total of 120 patients were included, with a mean age of 28.76 ± 6.65 years and a mean follow-up duration of 21.97 ± 8.64 months. No significant differences were found in femoral tunnel widening and tibial tunnel widening values between patients with significant (≥3 mm) and nonsignificant (<3 mm) KT-1000 measurements (p > 0.05). Femoral tunnel widening and tibial tunnel widening showed no significant correlation with Lysholm Knee Score, International Knee Documentation Committee score, or Tegner Activity Scale score (p > 0.05). Femoral tunnel widening was negatively correlated with extension and flexion strength at 60°/s and 180°/s (p < 0.05), whereas tibial tunnel widening showed no such correlation (p > 0.05).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that three-dimensional computed tomography-based femoral tunnel widening measurement and isokinetic dynamometer may help identify functional deficits in symptomatic patients following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.