Hamstring Muscle Activity After Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction—A Protective Mechanism in Those Who Do Not Sustain a Secondary Injury? A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Background:

Individuals who experience a subsequent ipsilateral anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reinjury may use hazardous muscle activation strategies after primary ACL reconstruction (ACLR). The purpose of this study was to compare electromyograms (EMGs) of the quadriceps, hamstrings, and gastrocnemius muscles during a dynamic hopping task among individuals with a single ACL injury (ACLx1), individuals who went on to have secondary ipsilateral ACL injury (ACLx2), and individuals who have never sustained an ACL injury (ACLx0).

Hypothesis:

We expected that individuals who went on to experience a secondary ACL injury would use less quadriceps muscle activity as compared with individuals who experienced a single ACL injury.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Level of Evidence:

Level 3.

Methods:

Fourteen individuals that were returned to play post-ACLR and 7 non-ACL-injured individuals participated. Individuals who had undergone an ACLR were placed into groups depending on whether they had experienced a secondary ipsilateral ACL reinjury postprimary ACLR. EMG data of the vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, and lateral gastrocnemius were measured during 2 phases of a single-leg dynamic hopping task: preactivity (100 ms prior to ground contact) and reactivity (250 ms post–ground contact). Processed EMG data were compared across groups using 1-way analyses of variance, with post hoc independent t tests where appropriate (P ≤ 0.05).

Results:

At preactivity, ACLx1 (0.48% ± 0.2%max) was found to use significantly more hamstring activity than ACLx2 (0.20% ± 0.1%max, P = 0.018), but not than ACLx0 (0.38% ± 0.1%max, P > 0.05). At reactivity, both ACL groups were found to use less quadriceps activity than ACLx0 (ACLx1: 0.38% ± 0.1%max, P = 0.016; ACLx2: 0.40% ± 0.1%max, P = 0.033; ACLx0: 0.58% ± 0.1%max), but not than each other (P > 0.05).

Conclusion:

Quadriceps muscle activity during landing was diminished in all ACL participants as compared with participants who had never sustained an ACL injury. Individuals who did not experience a secondary ipsilateral ACL reinjury (ACLx1) used greater levels of hamstring activity prior to landing.

Clinical Relevance:

The higher hamstring activity in patients who did not experience a secondary injury may be interpreted as a protective mechanism that is used to dynamically stabilize the reconstructed limb.