In Vivo Knee Kinematics in Patients With Arthrofibrosis After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Abstract

Context: Arthrofibrosis after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction can be detrimental to the knee joint function and patient outcomes. However, the effects of arthrofibrosis on the in vivo tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joint kinematics after ACL reconstruction remain unclear. Objective: The objective of this study was to quantify the in vivo knee kinematics during a dynamic lunge task in the knee with arthrofibrosis after ACL reconstruction. Methods: Eleven patients with arthrofibrosis in one knee after ACL reconstruction participated in this study. Computed tomography and dual fluoroscopic imaging were used to evaluate in vivo kinematics of affected and contralateral knees during a lunge task. Differences in 6 degrees of freedom tibiofemoral kinematics and patellar tracking between limbs were assessed via repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results: Internal tibial rotation (5.2° vs 7.5°, respectively; P < .001) and inferior patellar shift (24.6 mm vs 28.9 mm, respectively; P < .001) were significantly lower in the arthrofibrotic knee compared with the contralateral knee from 15° to 75° of knee flexion. The patella in the arthrofibrotic knee significantly less flexed by 9.1° (P = .009) throughout the measured ROM and less laterally tilted by 3° (P = .017) compared with the contralateral knee from 30° to 75° of knee flexion. Conclusions: A significant superior shift and medial tilt of the patella were found in the affected knee compared with those in the contralateral knee during the dynamic lunge. Decreased internal tibial rotation and patellar flexion were found in knees with arthrofibrosis following ACL reconstruction; whether these kinematic changes are caused by arthrofibrosis need further investigation.

Termografia Infrared como ferramenta de monitoramento pós-cirurgico de ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA) em atletas de alto rendimento: uma análise exploratória

“…A aplicação da termografia IR no acompanhamento pós-cirúrgico de LCA do joelho em atletas tem sido base de estudos recentes na Academia Científica. Chen et al (2020) apontam que a termografia IR pode ser útil na avaliação póscirúrgica de LCA do joelho em atletas por meio da aplicabilidade da termografia IR no acompanhamento pós-cirúrgico de LCA do joelho em atletas, relatando que a técnica pode ser usada para detectar diferenças significativas na temperatura superficial da pele entre o joelho lesionado e o joelho saudável (Chen et al, 2020). Nishiwaki et al (2019) destaca que a termografia IR pode ser usada para avaliar a presença de edema na fase aguda pós-operatória de LCA do joelho em atletas (Nishiwaki et al, 2019).…”