Quadriceps femoris strength deficits early in rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction identify risk of future contralateral ACL injury following return to sport in young athletes: A Preliminary analysis
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To test the relationship between quadriceps femoris (QF) strength 3 months after ACLR and long-term outcomes after ACLR. DESIGN: Prospective, case-cohort. SETTING: Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: 51 (mean age:15.6 ± 2.2 yrs) athletes after ACLR. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 1) "Early" (13.7 ± 2.1 wks) post-ACLR testing included an isokinetic QF strength assessment. 2) At medical clearance to RTS (8.4 ± 1.6 months), isokinetic QF strength, hop testing, and patient-reported outcome data were collected. Associations between early QF strength and RTS measures, as well as 2nd ACL injury in the 36 months after RTS were assessed. RESULTS: 20 participants (39 %) sustained a 2nd ACL injury after RTS. Early QF strength limb symmetry (LSI) was moderately correlated with measures at RTS clearance (p < 0.05). Participants who failed to achieve ≥80 % QF LSI at the early testing session (23/51; 45.1 %) had 4 times higher odds (OR = 4.4; 95 %CI:1.0-19.2; p = 0.04) of sustaining a contralateral 2nd ACL injury in the 36 months following RTS clearance. CONCLUSION: Early QF LSI positively associates with RTS measures. Early QF strength symmetry <80 % was associated with increased risk of contralateral ACL injury after RTS. Greater QF strength deficits early in rehabilitation may be a biomarker of poor short- and long-term outcomes after ACLR.
Source: Physical Therapy in Sport
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,990
OpenAlex ID: W4412021048