Isabella Balza
Pronouns: She/her
Research Mentor(s): Steven Garcia
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Movement Science / Kinesiology
Program: UROP
Session: Session 6 (3:40pm – 4:30pm)
Authors: Isabella Balza, Jovanna Gallegos, Steven A. Garcia, Riann M. Palmieri-Smith
Abstract
Introduction: Individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) are at greater risk for post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis, often displaying cartilage degeneration within several years post-op. Cartilage health can be evaluated by how the tissues acutely respond to exercise like walking, but most investigations only assess level walking. Sloped walking increases knee joint loads during walking, but it is unclear if cartilage structure changes to a greater extent compared to level walking. Our research purpose was to assess how sloped walking impacted gait mechanics (knee flexion moments[KFM], angles[KFA], and excursions[KFE]) and cartilage thickness before and after exercise in ACLR individuals. Methods: We recruited 10 participants with ACLR (Age: 26.2±7.3 yr., Time Post-Op: 29.5±7.5 mo.). Walking biomechanics (i.e., KFM, KFA, KFE) were captured using a instrumented treadmill synced with a motion capture system on both level (0°) and inclined slopes (5°) at a predetermined speed (1.3m/s). After walking, patients completed a standardized 45-minute rest period to unload the femoral cartilage. Cartilage thickness was measured via ultrasound before and after a 30-minute walk at incline and level slopes on a separate day. A custom MATLAB program was used to measure cartilage thickness changes after exercise (% change) across the femoral contour (medial, lateral, and intercondylar regions) Results: We observed smaller KFE in the ACLR limb during incline walking (t=4.14, p=0.01) and a trend towards greater peak KFA (t=2.27, p=0.06). Peak KFM was not different between slopes (p>0.05). We found greater changes in lateral thickness (t=3.77, p=0.01) after walking, but no changes elsewhere (p>0.05). Conclusion: Our data prompts further research to understand how cartilage deforms in the ALCR limb when exercising, which may help detect cartilage pathology in ACLR populations.
