Postural control after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and functional rehabilitation

Total sagittal knee laxity and postural control in the sagittal and frontal planes were measured in 25 patients at a mean of 36 months (range, 27 to 4 4) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and in a control group c onsisting of 20 uninjured age- and activity-matched subjects, Body sway was measured in the sagittal plane on a stable and on a sway-referenced force plate in single-legged stance, double-legged stance, or both, with the eyes open and closed. Postural reactions to perturbations in the sagittal and f rontal planes were recorded in the single-legged stance with the eyes open, Total sagittal plane laxity was significantly greater in the anterior cruc iate ligament-reconstructed knee (11.2 mm; range, 6 to 15) than in the unin jured knee (8.9 mm; range, 6 to 12) or in the control group (6.0 mm; range, 5 to 8). In spite of this, the patients, in comparison with the controls, exhibited normal postural control except in two variables-the reaction time and the latency between the start of force movement to maximal sway in the sagittal plane perturbations, This supports the hypothesis that rehabilita tion, with proprioceptive and agility training, is an important component i n restoring the functional stability in the anterior cruciate ligament-reco nstructed knee.