Association between sensorimotor function and visual assessment of postural orientation in patients with ACL injury.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association between sensorimotor function and visual assessment of postural orientation during execution of weight-bearing activities in patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty-two individuals (23 women and 29 men, mean (SD) age 26.5 (6.4)) approximately 7 months after ACLR.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sensorimotor function (proprioception, ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, and isometric muscle strength of the hip, knee, and trunk) were recorded on the injured leg. Postural orientation errors (POEs) were visually scored from video-recordings of the injured leg during execution of 5 functional tasks, and POE subscales activities of daily living (ADL) and Sport, and Total POE score were used in the analysis.

RESULTS

Lower hip external rotation strength was associated with higher Total POE score (B = -24.4, p = 0.041) and higher POE subscale ADL score (B = -24.9, p = 0.03). No associations between sensorimotor function and POE subscale Sport were found.

CONCLUSIONS

Decreased hip external rotation strength might contribute to higher scores on the POE subscale ADL and the Total POE score, in men and women following ACLR. Future studies will reveal if strengthening of hip external rotation strength improves postural orientation.