Torque isocinético y funcionalidad posterior a una reconstrucción de ligamento cruzado anterior a los 6, 9 y 12 meses de evolución: un estudio transversal

Abstract

Introduction

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is the most frequent and devastating injury in sports such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, and snow sports, which share a common denominator: pivoting movements. Despite surgical intervention and lengthy rehabilitation processes, patients retain substantial deficits in strength and muscle activation over time.

Main Objective

To monitor torque and functional scale measurements in patients who underwent ACL reconstruction during a 12 month period. Specific Objective 1: To determine Introduction: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury is the most frequent and devastating injury in sports settings-such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, and snow sports-that share the common denominator of pivoting movements. Despite surgical intervention and lengthy rehabilitation processes, patients retain substantial deficits in strength and muscle activation over time.

Primary Objective

To monitor torque values and functional scale scores in patients who underwent ACL reconstruction over a 12-month period.

Materials and Methods

A total of 290 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction (using Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone [BPTB] grafts with anterolateral tenodesis, or semitendinosus-gracilis grafts) were evaluated at 6 months (n = 122), 9 months (n = 105), and 12 months (n = 63) post-operatively. All patients were assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer (Humac Norm, model 502140, CSMi); the knee protocol included a warm-up/familiarization series with submaximal repetitions followed by an assessment series consisting of 5 concentric repetitions at 60°/s.

Results

Statistical evidence (at a 95% confidence level) was found for temporal improvement regarding knee extensor muscle asymmetry (mean monthly variation of -1.226, p = 0.002) and IKDC scores (mean monthly variation of 1.680, p = 0.000).

Conclusion

Age and sex influenced postoperative recovery in distinct ways: age moderated the recovery of strength (flexors and extensors of both legs) and IKDC scores, whereas sex was specifically associated with the strength of the operated leg. These findings suggest that rehabilitation should incorporate age- and gender-adjusted protocols to optimize clinical and functional outcomes.