Low knee-related quality of life and persistent physical asymmetries in participants up to 10 years post-ACL reconstruction - A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE

To compare self-report and functional outcomes between participants with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with age and activity matched controls.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

University laboratory-based study.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-five participants (30.8 ± 9.7 years; 13 women), two to ten years post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction; 24 controls (31.0 ± 10 years, 13 women).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Knee Osteoarthritis and Injury Outcome Score (KOOS), Tegner, Marx Activity and Fear of Re-injury scales, and SF-12; isokinetic quadriceps and hamstring peak torque and single-leg hop distance.

RESULTS

There were no between-groups differences for the Tegner and the Marx Activity Scales. The ACLR group had lower KOOS dimensions (p < 0.001), SF-12 Physical Component Scores (p = 0.008), and higher Fear of Reinjury Scores (<0.001) than the controls. No significant differences were found for physical performance measures between the ACLR and the control groups. Significant between-side differences for the ACLR group were evident for concentric quadriceps (p < 0.001) and concentric hamstring peak torque (p = 0.002), and hop distance (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Knee-specific symptoms and function, activity and quality of life were lower, and fear of re-injury was higher for participants with ACLR than controls. Side-to-side thigh muscle strength and hop distance deficits were evident for the ACLR group.