Effects of the Graft Type Used for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction on Isokinetic Muscle Strength and Quality of Life

Abstract

There is no consensus about which graft type should be used in patients who will undergo anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction so far. In this study, it was aimed to compare the quality of life, knee functions, and isokinetic muscle strength of patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with hamstring tendon (HT) and bone–tendon–bone (BTB) autografts. Total 40 patients with ACL reconstruction (20 in HT group and 20 in BTB group), at least 1 year after the operation, all injured during sports activity were included in this study. Flexor and extensor muscle groups of both affected and unaffected knees at angular velocities of 60 and 180 degrees/s were recorded. Lysholm knee score questionnaire and Short Form (SF)-36 were administered to all patients before the isokinetic tests. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups at any angular velocity in isokinetic evaluation. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in regard to Lysholm score. However, there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in SF-36 physical function domain score (p < 0.01). The results demonstrated that the SF-36 questionnaire can easily be applied to this patient population. There was only one significant difference in the SF-36 physical function component scores between the two groups. The quality of life, knee functions, and isokinetic muscle strength were similar in patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with HT and BTB.

The Associations Between Quadriceps Tendon Graft Thickness and Isokinetic Performance

“…Horstmann et al 13 conducted isokinetic knee extension testing at 60 deg·s −1 to compare the strength of 24 patients with QT grafts and 27 patients with HT grafts at 2 years after ACLR. Similarly, Yapali and Kurklu 41 conducted isokinetic knee extension testing at 60 and 180 deg·s −1 to compare the results of 20 patients with BPTB grafts and 20 patients with HT grafts at 1 year after ACLR. Additionally, a number of systematic reviews and meta-analyses have used isokinetic dynamometry to assess differences in leg extension strength due to graft type 11,14,17,38 and other factors affecting quadriceps weakness.…”