Objective: To determine how selected gait parameters, measured by three-dimensional To determine how selected gait parameters, measured by three-dimensional motion capture system, may change as a result of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency and following ACL reconstruction.
Methods: The study was performed on 29 ACL-deficient subjects prior to and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after ACL reconstructive surgery by the four stranded hamstring tendon technique. The group was examined at an average of 2.6 months after injury (range: 2 weeks-16 months). But at presurgery, gait analysis was performed using the DorealSoft DVMC-8801 three-dimensional motion capture system. Kinematic data were recorded for the lower extremities. The results obtained from the injured subjects were compared with those of 58 individuals without ACL damage. Each subject was asked to walk on a motorized treadmill (ECON USA) with different slopes and perform-after a 6 minute familiarization time-at least 2 minutes of walking at a constant speed of 1.9 km/h.
Results: The ACL-deficient patients exhibited a quadriceps avoidance pattern prior to and at 3 months post-surgery. In the operated individuals, the spatial-temporal parameters and the knee angle had already regained a normal pattern for the ACL-deficient extremity during gait at 6 months post-surgery. However, the relative ACL movement parameter-which describes the tibial translation into the direction of ACL-and the angular acceleration showed no significant statistical difference as compared with the values of healthy control group at just 9 months post-surgery.
Conclusion: The ACL surgical repair significantly alters lower-extremity gait patterns, and that the establishment of pre-injury gait patterns takes at least 9 months to occur. 3D gait analysis for assessment of patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery can precisely reflect knee biomechanical changes, and assist to explore optimal treatment approach and postoperative rehabilitation methods.