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 preserved and reinforced with hamstring autografting. The primary outcome parameter was isokinetic 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.