Isokinetic and functional parameters in patients following reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament

Both isokinetic testing and functional tests are commonly used to evaluate patients following reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACLR). To determine the relationship of scores on an isokinetic test to scores on a variety of lower extremity functional tests ten healthy subjects and eleven ACLR patients at least six months after surgery performed knee isokinetic test at 60 and 180 deg/sec and three functional tests: leg vertical jump, single hop, and triple cross-over hop for distance. Correlation coefficients of isokinetic peak torque to body weight and functional testing were not significant at the P < 0.05 level in patients or control subjects, while ratio of involved to uninvolved knee quadriceps isokinetics peak torque and Limb Symmetry Index (LSI) of functional test were significant at the P < 0.05 level (r = 0.54 to 0.97). These results indicate a significant relationship between the LSI of various functional tests and side-to-side ratio of isokinetic testing just in ACLR patients.