Isokinetic Muscle Strength in Recreational Athletes with Partial ACL Lesions Treated with Surgical Reconstruction

Abstract

Background: Surgery that spares the intact portion of the ACL seems to be more favorable. This 
surgical technique has a positive effect on joint stability, joint position sense and functional 
scores in patients with partial ACL lesions.
Aim: This study aimed to assess isokinetic muscle strength following surgical reconstruction 
of partial ACL lesions.
Materials and Methods: The study included 13 recreational athletes with partial ACL lesions 
that underwent surgical reconstruction. In all ACL reconstructions the remnant ACL was preserved and reinforced with hamstring autografting. The primary outcome parameter was isokinetic muscle strength of the knee muscles. The secondary outcome parameters were Single 
Leg Stance Test (SLST) score and the Cincinnati knee-rating score. The clinical outcomes were 
compared between the treated knees and non-treated (contralateral) knees.
Results: There wasn’t a significant difference in peak isokinetic torque of the knee flexors at
60° s–1 and 180° s–1 between the treated and non-treated knees (p>0.05); however, there was 
a significant difference in peak isokinetic torque of the knee extensors at 60° s–1 and 180° s–1
between the knees (p=0.03). The mean SLST score for the treated and non-treated knees was 
3.90±1.29 and 3.62±1.47, respectively; the difference was not significant (p=0.44).
Conclusion: The present findings show that the surgical technique described had a positive 
effect on isokinetic muscle strength of the knee flexors and joint postural stability during the 
early post surgery period.