Linking Gait Biomechanics and Daily Steps After ACL Reconstruction

Purpose Aberrant biomechanics and altered loading frequency are associated with poor knee joint health in osteoarthritis development. After anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), individuals demonstrate underloading (lesser vertical ground reaction force (vGRF)) with stiffened knee gait biomechanics (lesser knee extension moment (KEM) and knee flexion angle) and take fewer daily steps as early as 6 months after surgery. The purpose of this cross-sectional laboratory study is to compare gait biomechanics throughout stance between individuals 6-12 months after ACLR who take the lowest, moderate, and highest daily steps. Methods Individuals with primary, unilateral history of ACLR between the ages of 16 and 35 yr were included (n = 36, 47% females; age, 21 +/- 5 yr; months since ACLR, 8 +/- 2). Barefoot gait biomechanics of vGRF (body weight), KEM (body weight x height), and knee flexion angle during stance were collected and time normalized. Average daily steps were collected via a waist-mounted accelerometer in free-living settings over 7 d. Participants were separated into tertiles based on lowest daily steps (3326-6042 daily steps), moderate (6043-8198 daily steps), and highest (8199-12,680 daily steps). Biomechanical outcomes of the ACLR limb during stance were compared between daily step groups using functional waveform gait analyses. Results There were no significant differences in sex, body mass index, age, or gait speed between daily step groups. Individuals with the lowest daily steps walk with lesser vGRF and lesser KEM during weight acceptance, and lesser knee flexion angle throughout stance in the ACLR limb compared with individuals with highest and moderate daily steps. Conclusions After ACLR, individuals who take the fewest daily steps also walk with lesser vGRF during weight acceptance and a stiffened knee strategy throughout stance. These results highlight complex interactions between joint loading parameters after ACLR.

Automated summary

Individuals who take the fewest daily steps after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) also exhibit reduced vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) and a stiffer knee strategy throughout stance.