Knee Extension Rate of Torque Development Deficit Is Not Captured by Standard Functional Performance Measures Post-Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Michael Jeanfavre^1*, Matthew Klein², Darragh Lynch³, Luke Esquerra³, Jonathan Dickey⁴ & Jessica Mena⁵

¹Stanford Health Care, Department of Outpatient Physical Therapy Orthopedic and Sports Rehabilitation, 440 Broadway, Suite 3, Redwood City, CA 94063, US
²Department of Physical Therapy, Azusa Pacific University, USA, Azusa, USA
³Kaiser Permanente Southern California, West Los Angeles Medical Center, 6041 Cadillac Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034, US
⁴FLOPHYSIO, Redondo Beach, CA 90277, US
⁵Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Panorama City Medical Center, 13651 Willard St, Los Angeles, CA 91402, US

Dr. Michael Jeanfavre, Stanford Health Care, Department of Outpatient Physical Therapy Orthopedic and Sports Rehabilitation, 440 Broadway, Suite 3, Redwood City, CA 94063, US.

Keywords: ACL; Knee; Rate of Torque Development

Abstract

Background
Criteria for full recovery following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) include the ability to achieve >90% limb symmetry in maximal quadriceps strength (QI) and functional hop tests. Additionally, knee extension rate of torque development (RTD) is an important performance metric post-ACL-R. This study investigated the rate of recovery of these performance metrics in a recreationally athletic population.
Purpose
To investigate RTD at 30% (RTD30), 50% (RTD50), and 90% (RTD90) of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) recovery rate compared to knee extension peak torque and hop test performance post ACL-R.

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