Squatting mechanics in people with and without anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: the influence of graft type

Abstract

Background: Single-legged squat mechanics change after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and rehabilitation, but it is unclear if changes in squat mechanics are graft specific.

Purpose: To investigate graft differences in biomechanics of the knee, hip, and trunk during the single-legged squat in patients with ACL-reconstructed knees, determine if these factors were associated with deficits in knee extension moment, and determine if subjective knee function and squat biomechanics are related.

Study design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods: A total of 106 individuals were grouped based on surgical status and graft type (51 control, 34 bone-patellar tendon-bone [BPTB], 21 ipsilateral semitendinosus and gracilis autograft [ISGA]). Motion capture interfaced with force plates was used to capture single-legged squat performance in the ACL reconstructed and dominant control limbs. Variables were captured at peak knee flexion.

Results: Controls exhibited greater knee extension moment (P = .04), knee flexion (P = .002), and hip adduction angles (P = .04) compared with the reconstructed groups. The ISGA group demonstrated greater forward (P = .01) and lateral (P = .002) trunk flexion over the reconstructed limb. Summated extension moment did not differ between groups (P = .42). Knee extension moment was correlated with lateral trunk flexion (r = -0.31, P = .03) in the control group and knee flexion angle (r = -0.44, P = .04) in the ISGA group. Subjective knee function scores were correlated with lateral trunk flexion (r = -0.45, P = .008) in the BPTB group and with hip adduction angle (r = -0.46, P = .04) and hip extension moment (r = 0.48, P = .03) in the ISGA group.

Conclusion: Knee and hip biomechanics were related to surgical status but not graft type. Increased forward and lateral trunk motion in the ISGA group may be a mechanism to protect the knee by minimizing motion during squatting or related to surgical selection bias. Secondary findings (summated extensor moments and correlations) most likely represent a strategy to shift the squat demands from the knee to the hip.

Clinical relevance: Clinicians should target these neuromuscular deficits during rehabilitation and training programs after ACL reconstruction.

Keywords: IKDC; knee extension moment; knee function; summated moment; trunk flexion.