Timing of reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament in athletes and the incidence of secondary pathology within the knee

This study reviewed a single-surgeon series of 300 athletic patients who had undergone reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament in order to establish the relationship between the timing of the reconstruction and the incidence of meniscal and chondral pathology. The patients were divided into five groups according to the time from their injury to surgery as follows: less than two months, two to six months, six to 12 months, 12… Continue reading

The Influence of Abnormal Hip Mechanics on Knee Injury: A Biomechanical Perspective

During the last decade, there has been a growing body of literature suggesting that proximal factors may play a contributory role with respect to knee injuries. A review of the biomechanical and clinical studies in this area indicated that impaired muscular control of the hip, pelvis, and trunk can affect tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joint kinematics and kinetics in multiple planes. In particular, there is evidence that motion impairments at the… Continue reading

Isolated hip and ankle fatigue are unlikely risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament injury

Lower extremity neuromuscular fatigue purportedly increases anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk through promotion of extreme landing mechanics. However, the impact of fatigue on muscle groups critical to the landing strategy remains unclear. This study examined the effects of isolated hip rotator and triceps surae fatigue on lower extremity landing biomechanics. Sixteen healthy females reported for testing on two occasions, with one muscle group fatigued per session. Subjects performed three… Continue reading