Prolonged Quadriceps Latency During Gait Early After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Predicts Radiographic Knee Osteoarthritis 6-Years After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Authors

Naoaki Ito, University of Delaware
Jacob J. Capin, Marquette UniversityFollow
Elanna Arhos, University of Delaware
Elizabeth Wellsandt, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Ryan T. Pohlig, University of Delaware
Thomas S. Buchanan, University of Delaware
Lynn Snyder-Mackler, University of Delaware

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-2024

Publisher

Elsevier

Source Publication

Clinical Biomechanics

Source ISSN

0268-0033

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2024.106301

Abstract

The purpose was to explore quadriceps electromechanical function (quadriceps latency) during gait after anterior cruciate ligament injury as a predictor for radiographic knee osteoarthritis 6-years after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Change in latency after preoperative physical therapy was also examined.

Methods

Quadriceps latency (time between peak knee moment and quadriceps electromyography) was calculated before preoperative physical therapy (2.4 [0.5–7.5] months after anterior cruciate ligament injury) and after preoperative physical therapy in 24 athletes. Participants were dichotomized into osteoarthritis (Kellgren and Lawrence grade ≥ 2) and non-osteoarthritis groups at 6-years. Forward selection logistic repression was performed using z-score normalized quadriceps latency and demographics. A 2 × 2 repeated measure ANOVA was performed for quadriceps latency between groups before and after preoperative physical therapy.

Findings

Quadriceps latency before preoperative physical therapy was the only predictor of 6-year radiographic osteoarthritis (p = 0.014, odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 5.859 [1.435–23.924]). Time by group interaction was observed for quadriceps latency (p = 0.039, η2p = 0.179). In the osteoarthritis group, latency may reduce after training (before preoperative physical therapy = 115.7 ± 20.6 ms, after preoperative physical therapy = 99.5 ± 24.0 ms, p= 0.082).

Interpretation

Prolonged latency after anterior cruciate ligament injury may predict post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis 6-years after anterior cruciate. Latency may shorten with preoperative physical therapy, yet athletes still moved on to develop osteoarthritis. Quadriceps function may need intervention immediately following anterior cruciate ligament injury for prevention of post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis.

Comments

Accepted version. Clinical Biomechanics, Vol. 117 (July 2024). DOI. © 2024 Elsevier. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Ito, Naoaki; Capin, Jacob J.; Arhos, Elanna; Wellsandt, Elizabeth; Pohlig, Ryan T.; Buchanan, Thomas S.; and Snyder-Mackler, Lynn, "Prolonged Quadriceps Latency During Gait Early After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Predicts Radiographic Knee Osteoarthritis 6-Years After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction" (2024). Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications. 233.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/phys_therapy_fac/233