Objective: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) has been considered the primary treatment for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injured patient. However, there is little biomechanical evidence regarding bilateral knee joint biomechanics during landing and cutting task after ACLR.
Method: Eighteen females with ACLR participated in this investigation. Double leg jump landing (DLJL) and single leg jump cut (SLJC) biomechanics were assessed.
Results: During DLJL, the healthy knee showed greater knee valgus angle at initial contact (°) compared to the injured knee (Injured: 2.93±2.59, Healthy: 4.20±2.46, t=2.957, p=0.009). There was a significant difference in anterior tibial shear force (N x N-1) with greater in the injured knee (Injured: 1.41±0.39, Healthy: 1.30±0.35, t=2.201, p=0.042). During SLJC, injured knee showed greater knee extension moment (N*m x [N*m]-1) compared to healthy knee (Injured: 0.51±0.19, Healthy: 0.47±0.17, t=2.761, p=0.013). However, there was no significant differences between the knees in the other variables.
Conclusion: ACLR females exhibited a greater knee valgus angle at initial contact and lesser anterior tibial shear force on the healthy knee during double leg jump landing. In addition, ACLR females showed a greater knee extension moment on the injured knee during single leg jump cut.