Monitoring hamstring and quadriceps strength using handheld dynamometry in patients after ACL reconstruction: A prospective longitudinal study.

UNLABELLED

Strength data can help in guiding the return to sports (RTS) process in patients after an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). There is need for a fast, cheap, and portable method to monitor muscle strength in patients after ACLR in an ambulatory stetting. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to assess the use of a hand-held dynamometer (HHD) to monitor hamstring and quadriceps strength after ACLR and to assess the changes over time in patients tested at 3, 6 and 9 months after ACLR. It was hypothesized that patients show greater muscle strength at 6 months after ACLR compared to 3 months, and at 9 months after ACLR compared to 6 months. Forty-four amateur athletes (n = 44) after ACLR participated. Isometric hamstring and quadriceps strength were measured with a HHD at three time points during rehabilitation. Absolute isometric hamstring strength significantly progressed over time. Similar, absolute isometric quadriceps strength significantly progressed over time. This study showed that using handheld dynamometry can be a simple method to monitor the development of absolute isometric hamstring and quadriceps strength in patients after ACLR.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III, prospective case series.