Amanda Amirata
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Riann Smith
Research Mentor School/College/Department: School of Kinesiology / Kinesiology
Program:
Authors: Amanda Amirata, Beyza Tayfur, Riann Palmieri-Smith
Session: Session 1: 9:00 am – 9:50 am
Poster: 77
Abstract
Background: Following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), patients demonstrate knee joint loading asymmetries, whereby they tend to underload the affected limb. This abnormal gait strategy may influence patient pain and quality of life, and ultimately could contribute to post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Currently, it is unknown if loading asymmetries influences patient reported outcomes (PROs) after ACLR. Therefore, the goal is to understand the relationship between loading asymmetries and PROs. Methods: 75 participants (37 female, 23.00 +/-7.90 years, 8.91 months +/- 0.40 post-ACLR) completed Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and underwent biomechanical walking gait analysis. KOOS assesses a patient’s view on their limb function and is divided into five subscales: pain, symptoms, daily living, sports and recreation, and quality of life. KOOS5s were calculated to summarize all subscales. The scores range from 0 to 100, with 100 meaning no problems. Three-dimensional motion capture synchronized with force platforms were used to record walking gait, to calculate knee joint moments. Limb symmetry indexes of the knee joint moments (ACL limb moments divided by non-ACL) were utilized to group patients (underloaders (<90%), overloaders (>110%), and normal loaders (90%-110%)) and the groups’ average PROs were compared using analysis of variance test. Results: The only mean difference was in Quality of Life KOOS of the underloaders and the overloaders (-14.58 (-29.01, -0.15) P=0.05). There were no significant differences between the underloaders, overloaders, and normal loaders found for the other categories (P>0.05). Conclusion: Patients that underload their ACL limbs have a lower quality of life when compared to overloaders at 9 months post-ACLR, with no differences in other KOOS subscales. Gait asymmetries seem to affect ACLR patients’ quality of life in the long-term; therefore should be targeted during rehabilitation.
