Changes in weight-bearing following injury or surgical reconstruction of the ACL: relationship to quadriceps strength and function

Purpose: Changes in weight-bearing an average of 1.5 months after ACL injury (ACLD) and up to 3 months after surgical reconstruction (ACLR) were investigated using a force platform. Correlations between force platform test variables, quadriceps strength and functional self-report scores were also examined. Results: Each force platform test revealed impaired weight-bearing by either ACLD and/or ACLR subjects. Many variables were correlated to quadriceps strength; therefore, improved strength in ACLR subjects by 6 weeks post-operative negated any weight-bearing impairment. No single force platform variable correlated with the subjectsʹ perception of function. Conclusion: Only the step up/over test provided insight into disability in these patients. Modification of force platform analysis programs may allow for other clinical questions to be answered.