Loaded open-kinetic-chain exercises stretch the anterior cruciate ligament more than closed-kinetic-chain exercises: In-vivo assessment of anterior cruciate ligament length change

Cong Wang; Jiayu Qiu; Yufan Wang; Changzhao Li; Willem A Kernkamp; Xin Xi; Yan Yu; Pingyue Li; Tsung-Yuan Tsai

doi:10.1016/j.msksp.2022.102715

Loaded open-kinetic-chain exercises stretch the anterior cruciate ligament more than closed-kinetic-chain exercises: In-vivo assessment of anterior cruciate ligament length change

Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2023 Feb:63:102715. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2022.102715. Epub 2022 Dec 30.

Authors

Cong Wang¹, Jiayu Qiu², Yufan Wang³, Changzhao Li⁴, Willem A Kernkamp⁵, Xin Xi⁶, Yan Yu⁶, Pingyue Li⁷, Tsung-Yuan Tsai⁸

Affiliations

¹ School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implants, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Engineering Research Center of Digital Medicine, Ministry of Education, China; TaoImage Medical Technologies Corporation, Shanghai, China.
² Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.
³ School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implants, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Engineering Research Center of Digital Medicine, Ministry of Education, China.
⁴ Guangdong Key Lab of Orthopedic Technology and Implant, General Hospital of Southern Theater Command of PLA, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
⁵ Orthopedic Surgery Department, Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, the Netherlands.
⁶ Department of Spine Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
⁷ Guangdong Key Lab of Orthopedic Technology and Implant, General Hospital of Southern Theater Command of PLA, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address: lipingyue@smu.edu.cn.
⁸ School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implants, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Engineering Research Center of Digital Medicine, Ministry of Education, China; TaoImage Medical Technologies Corporation, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: tytsai@sjtu.edu.cn.

PMID: 36604271
DOI: 10.1016/j.msksp.2022.102715

Abstract

Background: Usage of open-kinetic-chain (OKC) or closed-kinetic-chain (CKC) exercises during rehabilitation planning after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has been debated for decades. However, the ACL elongation pattern during different rehabilitation exercises at different loadings remains unclear.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effects of OKC and CKC exercises on the length of ACL anteromedial bundle (AMB) and posterolateral bundle (PLB) to provide biomechanical support for making rehabilitation schedules.

Design: Laboratory Descriptive Study.

Method: Eighteen healthy volunteers were asked to perform two OKC motions, including non-weight-bearing and 10 kg loaded seated knee extension (OKC-0, OKC-10), as well as two CKC motions, including box squat (BS) and deep single-legged lunge (Lunge). Techniques of 2D-to-3D image registration and 3D ligament simulation were used to quantify length changes of ACL.

Results: The motion which led to the least and most ACL elongation were OKC-0 and OKC-10, respectively. The AMB and PLB were significantly longer in OKC-10 than those in OKC-0 during 0-60° and 0-55° of knee flexion (p < 0.01). Compared with reference length, the AMB and PLB were stretched during 0-30° and 0-10° respectively during OKC-10. During CKC exercises, the AMB and PLB were also stretched from 0 to 25°and 0-5°, respectively. Additionally, no significant difference was found in the length change of ACL bundles between BS and lunge.

Conclusions: OKC-0 may be safe for the rehabilitation program after ACL reconstruction, and loaded exercises shall be applied when restricted with >30° in early-stage rehabilitation.

Keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament; Close kinetic chain; Dual fluoroscopy; Ligament behavior; Open kinetic chain; Rehabilitation exercise.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Anterior Cruciate Ligament / surgery
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries*
Exercise Therapy / methods
Humans
Knee Injuries* / rehabilitation
Knee Joint