Relationship between quadriceps femoris muscle volume and muscle torque after anterior cruciate ligament repair

Abstract

This study was performed to obtain evidence regarding bilateral hindrance of motor unit (MU) recruitment in the quadriceps femoris (QF) of patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The subjects included 70 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction and 35 healthy subjects. To identify the muscle torque per unit volume (MTPUV), the peak torque of each velocity of isokinetic performance was divided by muscle volume of the QF measured by a series of cross-sectional images obtained by magnetic resonance imaging scans. Tests revealed that the mean MTPUV of the uninjured (0.113+/-0.03 N m/cm3 at 60 degrees /s, 0.081+/-0.02 N m/cm3 at 180 degrees /s) and injured sides (0.109+/-0.03 N m/cm3 at 60 degrees /s, 0.079+/-0.023 N m/cm3 at 180 degrees /s) were significantly lower than those of the control group (0.144+/-0.05 N m/cm3 at 60 degrees /s, 0.096+/-0.04 N m/cm3 at 180 degrees /s). Previous studies suggested that MU recruitment in the QF of patients with ACL injury was hindered bilaterally. However, the design of their studies could not provide evidence of bilateral hindrance of MU recruitment in the QF. The results of the present study demonstrated that the MTPUV of both injured and uninjured sides of patients were significantly lower than those of the control group.

Contribution of Neuromuscular Factors to Quadriceps Asymmetry After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

“…With the greatest ES and narrowest 95% CI (Table 3), this clinically meaningful and statistically different decrease in peak torque indicated a deficit in quadriceps function that, in part, may be explained by a mechanical change in muscle due to a loss of sarcomeres in parallel or a change in the pennation of the muscle. 27,32,33,35À37 Whereas we did not directly analyze these possibilities, several authors using imaging technologies found that patients with ACLR experienced reduced total muscle volume 38,39 and anatomic CSA. 40 Recently, Kuenze et al 41 used magnetic resonance imaging and custom-written software to quantify individual variations in quadriceps muscle volume and reported that reductions in the vastus intermedius muscle belly were most strongly related to a decline in isometric quadriceps force production.…”

Lower Extremity Muscle Strength After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury and Reconstruction

“…Strength was tested at 608/s, which is a common angular velocity for assessing strength before and after ACL reconstruction. 8,10,11,19 Three maximal voluntary concentric contractions were performed for each muscle group tested. The peak value over those 3 repetitions was normalized to participant body mass (kg) and used to quantify strength (Nm/kg).…”

“…1 Lower extremity muscle weakness, particularly in the quadriceps and hamstrings, also is reported commonly after ACL injury and reconstruction, often lingering well beyond the postoperative rehabilitation period. 2,3 Quadriceps strength deficits in the injured limb reportedly range from 5% to 40% [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] and have been noted as long as 7 years after surgery. 3 Hamstrings strength deficits in the injured limb have been reported to range from 9% to 27% 2,3,5,8,9,11 and have been reported 3 years after surgery.…”

The Mid - Term Effect of Kinesio Taping on Peak Power of Quadriceps and Hamstring Muscles After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

“…Muscle atrophy and activation failure may contribute [4]. It has been mentioned that ACL reconstruction and injured limb decreased from 5% to 40% in strength of the quadriceps muscle [5,6,7]. It can be concluded that other factors (physical fitness) such as maximal power is affected by ACL reconstruction.…”