Tibial translation and muscle activation during rehabilitation exercises 5 weeks after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

• Background: It is unclear which rehabilitation exercises involve adequate muscle activationwithout excessive anterior tibial translation after ACL reconstruction.Hypothesis: ACL reconstruction will reduce dynamic tibial translation to the level observedin the uninjured knee. The muscle recruitment pattern will be altered 5 weeks after ACLreconstruction, and some rehabilitation exercises will be more beneficial than others due tovarying amounts of dynamic tibial translation and muscle activation.Study Design: Descriptive Laboratory Study.Methods: Sagittal tibial translation and muscle activation were measured with the Lachmantest (static translation) and 7 rehabilitation exercises (dynamic translation) in 19 patients.Results obtained 5 weeks after ACL reconstruction were compared to those obtained beforethe injury (ACL-deficient knee) and in the uninjured knee.Results: Five weeks after ACL reconstruction the seated knee extension producedsignificantly more anterior tibial translation than the straight leg raise and standing on one leg.The static and dynamic tibial translations measured in ACL reconstructed knees were similarto those measured in uninjured knees. After ACL reconstruction, the patients used a jointstiffening strategy that employed more hamstring activation and reduced the dynamic tibialtranslation.Conclusions: ACL reconstruction reduced dynamic tibial translation compared to thatobserved before treatment. The muscle recruitment pattern in exercises was altered after ACLreconstruction.

Nyckelord

Rehabilitation

ACL reconstruction

Knee laxity

Knee kinematics

Functional joint stability

Electromyography

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

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