Thigh muscle activity and anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency

Z Dvir; G Eger; N Halperin; A Shklar

doi:10.1016/0268-0033(89)90044-2

Thigh muscle activity and anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency

Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 1989 May;4(2):87-91. doi: 10.1016/0268-0033(89)90044-2.

Authors

Z Dvir¹, G Eger, N Halperin, A Shklar

Affiliation

¹ Department of Physical Therapy, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.

PMID: 23915999
DOI: 10.1016/0268-0033(89)90044-2

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the dynamic relationship between the quadriceps femoris and hamstrings in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) insufficiency. Thirty-five young active patients with an untreated complete tear of the ACL took part in the study. Using a KINCOM isokinetic dynamometer, the dynamic capacity of each muscle group at 30° in concentric and eccentric exertion in both the deficient and sound knee was measured. Findings demonstrated a significant reduction (P<0.05) in the torque produced by the deficient-side quadriceps compared to the sound side but no significant variations in the hamstring torque. Discussion of the findings considers a possible involvement of neurophysiological inhibition of the quadriceps as a cause for the observed weakness.