Correlation of Isokinetic Testing and ACL Failure With the Short Graft Tape Suspension Technique at Six Months

Abstract

PurposeThe objective of this study was to correlate the data of the 6-month postoperative isokinetic muscle evaluation before resuming sports activities with the occurrence of ACL reconstruction rerupture after semitendinosus short graft.MethodsFrom 2015 to 2018, all patients who were operated for an ACL reconstruction with a short semitendinosus autograft (TLS System) and who performed isokinetic tests on dynamometer at their 6th postoperative month were included in this study. The follow-up was prospective with the measurement of epidemiological, radiographic, and isokinetic parameters at 6 months of the ACL reconstruction. The cohort was divided into 2 groups: one group without an ACL reconstruction rerupture (Group 1) and the second group with a rerupture (Group 2).ResultsOne hundred and four patients were analyzed with an average follow-up of 42.3 months (Minimum: 24; Maximum: 63.5), of which 11 patients (10.6%) had an ACL reconstruction rerupture. Group 1 consisted of 93 patients with an average age of 26.5 ± 9.0 years old who did not have an ACL reconstruction rerupture with an average follow-up of 41.6 ± 12.1 months. Group 2 consisted of 11 patients with an average age of 22.7 ± 6.1 years old, who had an ACL reconstruction rerupture with an average follow-up of 44.8 ± 11.3 months. Concerning extension force recovery, the ratio between operated and healthy knee was 81.8% ± 32.0 for Group 1, and 53.4% ± 20.6 for Group 2 (P = .035). A statistically significant difference was also found (P = .0017) during 60°/s flexion isokinetic test between the two groups.ConclusionsThis study revealed a significant link between muscle weakness in flexion and extension during 60°/s isokinetic test at 6 months of ACL reconstruction and semitendinosus autograft rerupture. Patients with an ACL reconstruction retear had inferior muscle dynamometric recovery results at 6 months before resuming sports activities.Level of EvidenceLevel III, prognostic, retrospective cohort study.