Abstract des Autors

The degree of recovery of quadriceps and hamstring strength in athletes following successful arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) to treat chronic laxity was assessed by comparison with normal subjects after a minimum five years' follow-up. A total of 38 patients operated using the patellar tendon (PT group: 17 cases) and the doubled semitendinosus and gracilis tendons (DSTG group: 21 cases) graft alternately, followed by the same rehabilitation program, were selected according to the following criteria: 1) not more than 5 mm anterior tibial translation of the operated versus contralateral knee in the KT-1000 test at 30 Ibs 2) freedom from symptoms and resumption of sport at a high level; 3) unimpaired contralateral limb and intact ACL. The controls were 40 subjects matched with the patients for age, sex, height, weight, dominant limb and level of sports activity. Isokinetic evaluation of all subjects was performed with a Cybex II at 60ø, 120ø and 180ø/sec. In the PT group, the mean quadriceps deficiency versus the contralateral limb was 3% and 5% versus the controls. In the DSTG group, the mean hamstring deficiency was 6% versus the contralateral limb and 9% versus the controls. The quadriceps also displayed a deficiency versus the contralateral in both groups. The hamstrings in the PT group were equal to the contralateral, whereas in the DSTG group there was a slight negative difference. The flexor/extensor ratio, too was more markedly different vis-a-vis the controls in the PT group. Lastly, the peak torque angle was significantly greater for the quadriceps and the hamstrings in both patient groups compared with the controls. Verf.-Referat