Kinetic energy absorption differences during drop jump between athletes with and without radiological signs of knee osteoarthritis: Two years post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Zakariya H Nawasreh; Mohammad A Yabroudi; Anan Al-Shdifat; Sharf Daradkeh; Mohamed Kassas; Khaldoon Bashaireh

doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2022.10.005

Kinetic energy absorption differences during drop jump between athletes with and without radiological signs of knee osteoarthritis: Two years post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Gait Posture. 2022 Oct:98:289-296. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2022.10.005. Epub 2022 Oct 12.

Authors

Zakariya H Nawasreh¹, Mohammad A Yabroudi², Anan Al-Shdifat², Sharf Daradkeh², Mohamed Kassas², Khaldoon Bashaireh³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), P.O. Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan. Electronic address: zhn@udel.edu.
² Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), P.O. Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan.
³ Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Department of Special Surgery, College of Medicine, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan.

PMID: 36252434
DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2022.10.005

Abstract

Background: Patients demonstrate decreased knee loading and energy absorption after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). This study aimed to determine the differences in the contribution of joints to the absorbed energy between athletes with and without radiological signs of knee OA 2 years after ACLR during drop jump (DJ) landing from 20, 30, and 40 cm.

Methods: Forty-one (level I/II) athletes 2 years after ACLR participated in this cross-sectional study and completed motion analysis testing of DJ. Proportional contribution of the joints (foot, ankle, knee, and hip) to the absorbed energy were computed. Posterior-anterior bent-knee radiographs were completed and graded in the medial compartment of the reconstructed knee using the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) system (OA group: KL ≥2; Non-OA group: KL<2) RESULTS: Thirteen (31.7%) athletes showed radiological signs of knee OA in the medial compartment. There was a significant joint-by-group-by-limb interaction for the contribution of joints to absorbed energy during DJ 40 cm (p ≤ 0.019) and a joint-by-group interaction for the contribution of joints during DJ 20 cm (p = 0.018). The OA group had a lower involved knee (p = 0.043) and higher involved hip contributions (p = 0.014) compared to the Non-OA group, and the non-involved knee (p = 0.007). While the Non-OA group had a lower involved ankle contribution (p = 0.045) compared to their non-involved ankle during DJ 40 cm. The OA group also had higher involved hip contribution than the Non-OA group (p = 0.010), lower involved knee (p = 0.002), and higher involved hip contribution than the non-involved limb during DJ 20 cm.

Significance: The OA group may have adopted a compensatory pattern characterized by a decreased involved knee and increased involved hip to attenuate absorbed energy compared to the Non-OA group and their non-involved limb. The contribution of joints to the absorbed energy during DJ landing might be used as an assessment tool to identify patients with radiological signs of knee OA after ACLR.

Keywords: Degenerative; Energy attenuation; Knee; Landing biomechanics; Osteoarthritis; Post-traumatic.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries* / surgery
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction*
Athletes
Biomechanical Phenomena
Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
Knee Joint / surgery
Osteoarthritis, Knee* / diagnostic imaging
Osteoarthritis, Knee* / surgery