Journal article
Quadriceps Weakness, Atrophy, and Activation Failure in Predicted Noncopers after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
The American journal of sports medicine, v 33(3), pp 402-407
01 Mar 2005
PMID: 15716256
Abstract
Background
Quadriceps weakness is common after anterior cruciate ligament injury, especially in those who do not compensate well for the injury (“noncopers”). Both atrophy and activation failure have been demonstrated in this population but have not been directly related to quadriceps weakness.
Hypotheses
(1) Quadriceps strength, volumes, and cross-sectional areas of the noncopers would be smaller than those of the contralateral muscles, whereas other muscles would not demonstrate atrophy. (2) Quadriceps muscle activation deficits would be observed. (3) Atrophy and activation failure would account for the quadriceps weakness in these patients.
Study Design
Cross-sectional study, Level of evidence, 3.
Methods
Seventeen noncopers with isolated anterior cruciate ligament injury underwent burst-superimposition strength and activation testing of the quadriceps and magnetic resonance imaging of 12 muscles an average of 2 months after injury. Morphological characteristics was described by digitally reconstructing each muscle from the axial images and calculating muscle volume and peak cross-sectional area.
Results
The quadriceps muscles of the anterior cruciate ligament-deficient limb were significantly weaker (average 25%) than those of the uninjured side; activation failure (8%-10%) was observed for the quadriceps muscles of both limbs. The total quadriceps, vastus lateralis, and vastus intermedius volume and cross-sectional area were significantly smaller in the anterior cruciate ligament-deficient limb. There was no significant atrophy of any other muscle or muscle group. Atrophy and activation failure explained more than 60% of the variance in quadriceps weakness (P =. 004).
Conclusion
The quadriceps femoris weakens soon after acute anterior cruciate ligament injury. Activation deficits and atrophy occur and affect quadriceps strength. Rehabilitation techniques that address activation deficits as well as atrophy may be necessary to restore quadriceps strength.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Quadriceps Weakness, Atrophy, and Activation Failure in Predicted Noncopers after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
- Creators
- Glenn N. Williams - University of DelawareThomas S. Buchanan - University of DelawarePeter J. Barrance - University of DelawareMichael J. Axe - University of DelawareLynn Snyder-Mackler - University of Delaware
- Publication Details
- The American journal of sports medicine, v 33(3), pp 402-407
- Publisher
- Sage
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Physical Therapy (and Rehabilitation Sciences)
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000227109000009
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-13944275864
- Other Identifier
- 991021887709704721
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Web of Science research areas
- Orthopedics
- Sport Sciences