Brief summary, from the abstract
In late-stage rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction, quadriceps strength was a stronger driver of patient-reported knee function than single-leg forward hop performance, and strength deficits were the most common reason patients failed return-to-play criteria.
- In 48 individuals (mean 7.7 months post ACL reconstruction), quadriceps limb symmetry index and involved-limb peak torque explained 39% of the variance in IKDC scores, while single-leg forward hop measures added nothing to the predictive model.
- Nearly 90% of participants failed to meet all five clinical thresholds, and quadriceps strength was the most commonly unmet criterion, affecting 71% of participants.
- This is a cross-sectional, descriptive laboratory study (Level 3 evidence), so it shows association rather than proving cause, and the sample was small and mostly young and female (32 of 48).
Clinically assessing this area? See the knee special tests.