Proprioceptive and Strength Comparison of Remnant Preserved versus Conventional Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Abstract

Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) restores knee stability. The remnant preserving technique was developed to preserve mechanoreceptor function, promote revasularzation and facilitate ligamentation. The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical results of ACL reconstruction with remnant preserving. Between October in 2008 and September in 2009, 40 patients underwent ACL reconstruction using auto graft-hamstring tendon. On the basis of the ACL’s condition patients were divided into 2 groups. In the trial group (preserved remnant group, PRG; n=20), there were 20 males with an average age of 26.2 years. In the control group (no remnant group, NRG; n=20) were 20 males with an average of age 27.1 years. We measured concentric peak torque of the knee extensors and flexors at 60/s and 180/s on an Isokinetic dynamometry. Proprioceptive functions have been assessed using Joint position sense and threshold to detection of passive motion. Dynamic postural stability was measured as a stability index in the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral planes with the Biodex Stability System. All tests were measured post-operative 1year. We found significant difference between the PRG and NRG for Joint position sense at 15 (2.40±1.00 vs. 3.36±0.95; p=0.0145) and threshold to detect passive motion at 45 (2.02±0.59 vs. 3.12±0.94; p=0.0213). But, we found no significant difference between the groups for the test results of the dynamic postural stability and knee strength. Therefore, preservation of the remnant ACL reconstruction is helpful in preserving the proprioception and function to stabilize the knee.