Kinesiophobia Relates to Decreased Sports Capability Perceptions, and Altered Gait Following ACL Reconstruction

Introductio. Kinesiophobia can negatively influence perceived knee function after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Less is known about its influence on perceived sports capability, and gait kinematics. Methods. At 3 months after ACLR, 34 male patients completed the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK). Raw and grouped scores (group 1 = high kinesiophobia; group 2 = low kinesiophobia) were compared with perceived sports capability and gait kinematics over the initial 9 months after ACLR. The Tegner Activity Level Scale (TALS) was completed pre-injury, before ACLR, and at 6 and 9 months after ACLR. The Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale was completed pre-surgery, and at 6 and 9 months after ACLR. Walking and running gait analysis was performed at 3 and 6 months; and 6 months after ACLR, respectively (P < 0.05). Results. Group TALS scores were similar pre-injury, however, Group 1 had lower TALS scores pre-surgery, and at 6 and 9 months after ACLR. Inverse relationships were observed for the 3 month TSK score and TALS scores before ACLR, and at 6 and 9 months afterwards. By 9 months following ACLR, kinesiophobia remained related to sports capability. Kinesiophobia had a stronger influence on side-to-side gait asymmetries than surgical side for hip adduction and mid-stance knee flexion when walking at 3 months after ACLR, for mid-stance knee flexion and terminal stance knee extension when walking at 6 months after ACLR, and for terminal stance knee extension when running at 6 months after ACLR. Conclusions. High kinesiophobia following ACLR was related to walking and running gait kinematic characteristics and sports capability perceptions.