Bilateral Comparisons of Quadriceps Thickness after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Abstract

<jats:p>Background and objectives: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) often results in quadricep atrophy. The purpose of this study was to compare the bilateral thickness of each quadricep component before and after ACLR. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study design. In 14 patients who underwent ACLR, bilateral quadricep muscle thicknesses were measured using a portable ultrasound device, 1 h before and 48–72 h after ACLR. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare muscle thickness pre- and post-ACLR between the limbs. Results: The primary finding was that the vastus intermedius (VI) muscle was significantly smaller in the reconstructed limb after ACLR compared to that in the healthy limb (Reconstructed limb; RCL = Pre-operated (PRE): 19.89 ± 6.91 mm, Post-operated(POST): 16.04 ± 6.13 mm, Healthy limb; HL = PRE: 22.88 ± 6.07, POST: 20.90 ± 5.78 mm, F = 9.325, p = 0.009, η2p = 0.418). Conclusions: The results represent a selective surgical influence on the quadricep muscle thickness. These findings highlight the need of advanced strengthening exercises in order to restore VI thickness after ACLR.</jats:p>

Comparison of Differences in Thigh Muscle Morphology and Function according to Post-anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery Period

“…While the VI did not show a significant difference between the two groups, the large effect size (r= 0.525) was found. A previous study reported a significant decrease in VI thickness of the reconstructed limb 2-3 days after ACLR and the muscle thickness reduction was continued until 7 days after surgery [3]. The current investigation could support the previous findings and it may influence to another functional task such as isokinetic knee extension.…”

“…Several studies have reported that quadriceps muscle atrophy was prominently observed in patients who underwent ACL reconstruction [2,3,5]. The quadriceps muscle is mainly responsible for knee extension, and each muscle had a different function, so it is important to identify the atrophied muscle among the quadriceps muscles.…”

“…Even if structural stability is restored after ACLR, quadriceps muscle atrophy is seen in those who underwent ACLR [2]. Based on magnetic resonance image (MRI) and ultrasound, which are equipment for measuring the morphology of muscles, it was revealed that the muscle volume, cross-sectional area (CSA), and thickness were decreased [2][3][4]. Previous studies reported that individuals who underwent ACLR showed atrophy of the quadriceps muscle of the involved limb compared to the uninvolved limb [2,3,5].…”

“…Based on magnetic resonance image (MRI) and ultrasound, which are equipment for measuring the morphology of muscles, it was revealed that the muscle volume, cross-sectional area (CSA), and thickness were decreased [2][3][4]. Previous studies reported that individuals who underwent ACLR showed atrophy of the quadriceps muscle of the involved limb compared to the uninvolved limb [2,3,5]. Finally, quadriceps muscle atrophy increases the risk of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and Vol.32, No.…”

Validation of Panoramic Ultrasound Measurement of the Cross-Sectional Area of the Vastus Medialis

“…Ideally, the CSA of a muscle should be measured where the CSA is greatest to draw the best inference regarding the force that muscle can produce (25,29). Measuring the quadriceps as a group may in fact exclude a large portion of muscle CSA because the optimal thickness of each muscle is located in different regions along the thigh (5,9,11) This is important because the individual muscles that make up quadriceps group may have distinct functions over the knee joint (7,10).…”