Validation of functional performance tests after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Abstract

Purpose: To validate the functional performance tests (FPTs) after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Materials and methods: Thirty men in their third decade after ACL reconstruction at 6 month follow-up and thirty healthy subjects were selected. Lysholm knee score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score, Tegner activity score, KT-2000 arthrometer test, isokinetic strength test, functional performance tests (one leg hop test, co-contraction test, shuttle run test, carioca test) were performed in two groups. We evaluated the test-retest reliability of FPTs in healthy group and the between FPTs and other parameters in ACL reconstruction group.

Results: The test-retest result showed high correlation in co-contraction test (r=0.511), shuttle run test (r=0.746), carioca test (r=0.742). In the ACL reconstruction group, the IKDC score, Tegner activity score, extensor power at 60°/s, and one leg hop test also showed high correlation between each test.

Conclusions: The three FPTs showed correlations with the established methods for determining return to sports activities after ACL reconstruction and had high test-retest reliability. Therefore we believe the three FPTs can be useful methods to assess knee function in athletes after ACL reconstruction.

Keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament; Functional performance test; Reconstruction.

Fig. 1

Co-contraction test. The co-contraction test was performed for each subject to complete five wall-to-wall lengths of the 180° semicircle by securing a heavy Velcro belt around the waist.

Fig. 2

Carioca test. The carioca test was performed on the subjects to move laterally with a crossover step and performed over two lengths of a 40 foot distance in as minimum an amount of time as possible.