{"title":"Revisiting the ACL reconstruction rehabilitation algorithm: A gait analysis study","authors":"Champak Roy, Vineet Kumar, Devashish Chhutani, Prabhat Kumar, Pankaj Aggarwal, Mohd Ammar Aslam","doi":"10.1016/j.jcot.2025.103291","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common among young adults, often resulting in knee instability and impacting quality of life. Despite advances in surgical techniques and rehabilitation, patients experience persistent quadriceps weakness, altered gait patterns, and increased risk of osteoarthritis.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This 1-year prospective cohort study investigated knee joint stability and gait patterns in 45 patients within one-year post-ACL reconstruction. Gait analysis was performed using a six-infrared camera system and two force plates. Lysholm knee scoring scale was used to evaluate knee function.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The study's results showed that among 45 ACL reconstruction patients, majority were males (97.78 %) aged 25–29 (33.33 %), with high knee function (average Lysholm score: 95.33 ± 3.47). Gait analysis revealed altered patterns with reduced trunk movement, deviations from normal stride parameters in both limbs. Trunk obliquity and tilt were lower than normal, knee valgus-varus alignment was lower in both limbs, with the operated limb having slightly higher alignment. Knee flexion-extension was lower in the operated limb. The study highlighted altered gait patterns and reduced trunk movement in ACL reconstruction patients.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study emphasizes the importance of comprehensive rehabilitation programs for ACL reconstruction patients, focusing on hip strengthening exercises to restore optimal gait patterns. Tailored rehabilitation plans with hip physiotherapy can improve hip muscle strength and symmetry, enhancing patient care and long-term success. By integrating these insights, healthcare professionals can provide more effective care, improving patients' quality of life and functional abilities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":53594,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 103291"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0976566225003893","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2025/11/30 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"Medicine","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common among young adults, often resulting in knee instability and impacting quality of life. Despite advances in surgical techniques and rehabilitation, patients experience persistent quadriceps weakness, altered gait patterns, and increased risk of osteoarthritis.
Methods
This 1-year prospective cohort study investigated knee joint stability and gait patterns in 45 patients within one-year post-ACL reconstruction. Gait analysis was performed using a six-infrared camera system and two force plates. Lysholm knee scoring scale was used to evaluate knee function.
Results
The study's results showed that among 45 ACL reconstruction patients, majority were males (97.78 %) aged 25–29 (33.33 %), with high knee function (average Lysholm score: 95.33 ± 3.47). Gait analysis revealed altered patterns with reduced trunk movement, deviations from normal stride parameters in both limbs. Trunk obliquity and tilt were lower than normal, knee valgus-varus alignment was lower in both limbs, with the operated limb having slightly higher alignment. Knee flexion-extension was lower in the operated limb. The study highlighted altered gait patterns and reduced trunk movement in ACL reconstruction patients.
Conclusion
This study emphasizes the importance of comprehensive rehabilitation programs for ACL reconstruction patients, focusing on hip strengthening exercises to restore optimal gait patterns. Tailored rehabilitation plans with hip physiotherapy can improve hip muscle strength and symmetry, enhancing patient care and long-term success. By integrating these insights, healthcare professionals can provide more effective care, improving patients' quality of life and functional abilities.
期刊介绍:
Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma (JCOT) aims to provide its readers with the latest clinical and basic research, and informed opinions that shape today''s orthopedic practice, thereby providing an opportunity to practice evidence-based medicine. With contributions from leading clinicians and researchers around the world, we aim to be the premier journal providing an international perspective advancing knowledge of the musculoskeletal system. JCOT publishes content of value to both general orthopedic practitioners and specialists on all aspects of musculoskeletal research, diagnoses, and treatment. We accept following types of articles: • Original articles focusing on current clinical issues. • Review articles with learning value for professionals as well as students. • Research articles providing the latest in basic biological or engineering research on musculoskeletal diseases. • Regular columns by experts discussing issues affecting the field of orthopedics. • "Symposia" devoted to a single topic offering the general reader an overview of a field, but providing the specialist current in-depth information. • Video of any orthopedic surgery which is innovative and adds to present concepts. • Articles emphasizing or demonstrating a new clinical sign in the art of patient examination is also considered for publication. Contributions from anywhere in the world are welcome and considered on their merits.