Jovanna Gallegos
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Steven Garcia
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Movement Science / Kinesiology
Program: UROPF
Session: Session 6 (3:40pm – 4:30pm)
Authors: Jovanna Gallegos, Isabella Balza, Steven Garcia, Riann Palmieri-Smith
Abstract
Those suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury often undergo reconstruction surgery (ACLR) to restore joint stability. After surgery, they develop altered walking patterns which may contribute to cartilage disintegration. Walking patterns differ between sexes due to sex-specific anthropometrics, but it is not clear if these walking differences influence cartilage properties in those with ACLR. Our purpose was to evaluate differences in walking biomechanics and cartilage properties between males and females after ACLR. We recruited thirty-six participants with primary, unilateral ACLR (Age: 24.0±5.4, Time Post-Op: 31.1±8.5 mo.) to complete one testing session. Each participant completed a 3D walking assessment at their preferred speed using a Qualisys motion capture system with a force sensing Bertec treadmill. Gait outcomes were the peak knee flexion moment (KFM) and the first peak knee adduction moment (KAM). Ultrasound was used to evaluate cartilage thickness bilaterally before and after a 30-min incline walk at 1.3 m/s. Images were processed via MATLAB to assess cartilage thickness across the medial (ML), lateral (LAT) and intercondylar (IC) regions. Independent t-tests were used to compare gait mechanics (KFM, KAM) and cartilage outcomes (thickness and % deformation) between sexes. Significance was evaluated at a = 0.05. Females had greater KAM compared to males bilaterally (t1, t34 = 2.53 – 3.36, p < 0.05) but KFM was similar between sexes (p > 0.05). Females had thinner cartilage compared to males in LAT and IC regions (t1, t34 = 2.05 – 3.05, p < 0.05) in both limbs. Females exhibited increases in LAT cartilage thickness after exercise in the ACLR limb (t1, t34 = 2.68, p < 0.05) whereas males did not. Primary findings indicate females walk with greater KAM and have generally thinner cartilage compared to males. Females may also exhibit differences in cartilage function after ACLR, warranting further study.
