Neuromuscular and biomechanical adaptations of patients with isolated deficiency of the posterior cruciate ligament.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
BACKGROUND: Functional adaptations of patients with posterior cruciate ligament deficiency (grade II) are largely unknown despite increased recognition of this injury. HYPOTHESIS: Posterior cruciate ligament-deficient subjects (grade II, 6- to 10-mm bilateral difference in posterior translation) will present with neuromuscular and biomechanical adaptations to overcome significant mechanical instability during gait and drop-landing tasks. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Bilateral comparisons were made among 10 posterior cruciate ligament-deficient subjects using radiographic, instrumented laxity, and range of motion examinations. Biomechanical and neuromuscular characteristics of the involved limb of the posterior cruciate ligament-deficient subjects were compared to their uninvolved limb and to 10 matched control subjects performing gait and drop-landing tasks. RESULTS: Radiographic (15.3 +/- 2.9 to 5.6 +/- 3.7 mm; P = .008) and instrumented laxity (6.3 +/- 2.0 to 1.4 +/- 0.5 mm; P < .001) examinations demonstrated significantly greater posterior displacement of the involved knee within the posterior cruciate ligament-deficient group. The posterior cruciate ligament-deficient group had a significantly decreased maximum knee valgus moment and greater vertical ground reaction force at midstance during gait compared to the control group. During vertical landings, the posterior cruciate ligament-deficient group demonstrated a significantly decreased vertical ground reaction force loading rate. All other analyses reported no significant differences within or between groups. CONCLUSION: Posterior cruciate ligament-deficient subjects demonstrate minimal biomechanical and neuromuscular differences despite significant clinical laxity. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The findings of this study indicate that individuals with grade II posterior cruciate ligament injuries are able to perform gait and drop-landing activities similar to a control group without surgical intervention.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Fontboté, CA; Sell, TC; Laudner, KG; Haemmerle, M; Allen, CR; Margheritini, F; Lephart, SM; Harner, CD
Published Date
- July 2005
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 33 / 7
Start / End Page
- 982 - 989
PubMed ID
- 15888720
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0363-5465
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1177/0363546504271966
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States