Functional deficits in the lower extremity

Functional deficits in the lower extremity persist long after athletes return to sport following an ACL reconstruction. It is essential to develop objective, performance-based assessments to identify potential lower extremity deficits in the latter stages of rehabilitation following ACL reconstruction. The aim of the current study was to determine whether existing bilateral tests could be modified to expose unilateral deficits and compare them the currently utilised single-leg hop tests. 

18 patients who returned to sport less than one-year post-ACL reconstruction were matched with controls. Differences in functional performance between the groups were compared via a number of tests. 

While all tests requiring bilateral involvement of both lower extremities showed no group differences, the limb symmetry index on the distance measures of the single-limb tests were able to differentiate between the ACL-reconstruction and control group. 

These findings suggest that unilateral assessments should be utilised to identify deficits in performance post-ACL reconstruction. > From: Myer et al., J Orthop Sports Phys Ther (2014) (Epub ahead of print). All rights reserved to the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy