FUNCTIONAL MEASURES DO NOT DIFFER IN LATE STAGE REHABILITATION AFTER ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION ACCORDING TO MECHANISM OF INJURY.

BackgroundAnterior cruciate ligament injuries are among the most common knee injuries. Mechanism of injury is classified as contact or non-contact. The majority of anterior cruciate ligament ruptures occur through a non-contact mechanism of injury. Non-contact anterior cruciate ligament ruptures are associated with biomechanical and neuromuscular risk factors that can predispose athletes to injuries and may impact future function. Non-contact mechanism of injury may be preceded by poor dynamic knee stability and therefore those with a non-contact mechanism of injury may be prone to poor dynamic knee stability post-operatively. Understanding how mechanism of injury affects post-operative functional recovery may have clinical implications on rehabilitation.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine if mechanism of injury influenced strength, functional performance, patient-reported outcome measures, and psychological outlook in athletes at four time points in the first two years following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.Study DesignSecondary analysis of a clinical trial.MethodsSeventy-nine athletes underwent functional testing at enrollment after impairment resolution. Quadriceps strength, hop testing, and patient-reported outcome measures were evaluated post-operatively at enrollment, following return-to-sport training and one year and two years after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Participants were dichotomized by mechanism of injury (29 contact, 50 noncontact). Independent t-tests were used to compare differences between groups.ResultsThere were no meaningful differences between contact and non-contact mechanism of injury in any variables at enrollment, post-training, one year, or two years after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.ConclusionFunction did not differ according to mechanism of injury during late stage rehabilitation or one or two years after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.Level of EvidenceIII.