Restoration of sagittal and transverse plane proprioception following anatomic double‐bundle ACL reconstruction

PURPOSE: To investigate the restoration of knee proprioception after anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstruction. METHODS: Eleven subjects who underwent anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstruction (12.5-15 months following surgery) and eleven healthy control subjects participated in the study. Sagittal and transverse plane threshold to detect passive motion (TTDPM) were assessed utilizing a customized isokinetic dynamometer by passively rotating the tibia about a fixed femur in both the sagittal plane and transverse plane at 0.25°/s until the subject signalled recognition of movement and movement direction. Based on the normality assumption, either dependent t test or Wilcoxon test was utilized to determine whether significant differences were present between the ACL-reconstructed and the uninjured contralateral limbs. Independent t test or Mann-Whitney test was utilized to compare between the ACL-reconstructed/uninjured contralateral and the external control limbs. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in TTDPM measurement in eleven out of twelve comparisons between the ACL-reconstructed and the uninjured contralateral/external control limbs. The only statistical significant difference was found on TTDPM towards internal rotation direction from the externally rotated-test position between the ACL-reconstructed and the uninjured contralateral limbs (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Based on a small sample of eleven subjects, the current results indicate a restoration of both sagittal and transverse plane TTDPM following the anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.