Isokinetic Muscle Strength in Recreational Athletes with Partial ACL Lesions Treated with Surgical Reconstruction

Background: Surgery that spares the intact portion of the ACL seems to be more favorable. This surgical technique has a positive effect on joint stability, joint position sense and functional scores in patients with partial ACL lesions. Aim: This study aimed to assess isokinetic muscle strength following surgical reconstruction of partial ACL lesions. Materials and Methods: The study included 13 recreational athletes with partial ACL lesions that underwent surgical reconstruction. In all ACL reconstructions the remnant ACL was pre- served and reinforced with hamstring autografting. The primary outcome parameter was iso- kinetic muscle strength of the knee muscles. The secondary outcome parameters were Single Leg Stance Test (SLST) score and the Cincinnati knee-rating score. The clinical outcomes were compared between the treated knees and non-treated (contralateral) knees. Results: There wasn't a significant difference in peak isokinetic torque of the knee flexors at 60° s -1 and 180° s -1 between the treated and non-treated knees (p>0.05); however, there was a significant difference in peak isokinetic torque of the knee extensors at 60° s -1 and 180° s -1 between the knees (p=0.03). The mean SLST score for the treated and non-treated knees was 3.90±1.29 and 3.62±1.47, respectively; the difference was not significant (p=0.44). Conclusion: The present findings show that the surgical technique described had a positive effect on isokinetic muscle strength of the knee flexors and joint postural stability during the early post surgery period.