Balance in Single-Limb Stance in Patients with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

Abstract

Background It has been shown previously that an anterior cruciate ligament injury may affect postural control, measured by balance in single-limb stance. To our knowledge, no studies have reported the influence of measures of impairment on postural control after such an injury. Purpose To assess the influence of knee laxity, proprioception, and muscle strength on balance in single-limb stance and to study the correlation between balance in single-limb stance and subjective estimation of extremity function. Study Design Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods A total of 36 patients with a unilateral, nonoperated, nonacute anterior cruciate ligament injury were examined with regard to anterior knee laxity, proprioception, muscle strength, and stabilometry (amplitude and average speed of the center of pressure movements). Subjective estimation of extremity function was measured on a visual analog scale. Results The multiple regression analysis showed that high knee laxity values were associated with high amplitude values and low average speed. Poor proprioception and high muscle strength values were associated with low average speed among the women only. Low amplitude values correlated with better subjective function. Conclusion Anterior knee laxity, proprioception, and muscle strength seem to play a role in maintaining balance in single-limb stance. Patients with low amplitude values in stabilometry were those with better subjective function.