A DYNAMIC TEST OF LOWER-EXTREMITY FUNCTION FOLLOWING ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION

It is essential to assess the functional status of patients with surgi cally reconstructed and rehabilitated anterior cruciate ligaments prio r to discharge. This study established a testing paradigm for function al force production and absorption. Data were obtained from 100 health y subjects for maximal hops, controlled leaps, and hopping and leaping symmetry. Only 10% of symptomatic patients met maximal hopping criter ia, while 15% achieved controlled leaping norms. Ninety-live percent o f these patients failed to reach both hopping and leaping symmetry nor ms. Asymptomatic patients were 63% successful in meeting hopping crite ria, and 57% were successful in meeting leaping criteria. Hop symmetry and leap symmetry were achieved al rates of 70% and 60%, respectively . The performance of both groups fell significantly below that oi norm al subjects (p <.05). Data suggest that this protocol does accurately, assess functional and dysfunctional knees, and that force absorption may be more critical than force production in the determination of fun ctional capacity.