Altered Gait After ACL Reconstruction May Contribute to Long-Term Knee Problems
ACL surgery is often effective in restoring joint stability, but many patients still experience persistent knee problems in the long term, including osteoarthritis. New research suggests that these problems might be linked to changes in the way people walk after surgery.
The study, which analyzed the gait biomechanics of 58 individuals who had undergone ACL reconstruction (ACLR), found that while gait patterns became more symmetrical in the injured leg over the first 12 months post-surgery, both the operated leg and the uninjured leg continued to display abnormal gait patterns compared to individuals who had not undergone ACL surgery.
“A persistent aberrant gait pattern following ACLR, like that observed in our study, can induce joint loads that may contribute to further long-term knee joint problems,” said Christin Büttner, MS, the corresponding author of the study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Early rehabilitative measures focused on restoring normal gait patterns after ACL surgery could be crucial in preventing or mitigating these long-term complications. By training patients to walk more naturally, it might be possible to reduce excessive stress on the knee joint and improve long-term knee health.
The study highlights the importance of a multifaceted approach to ACL rehabilitation that goes beyond simply restoring knee stability. While surgical intervention is necessary to repair the torn ligament, a comprehensive rehabilitation program, including gait training and strengthening exercises, is essential to optimize function and minimize the risk of future problems.
Further research is needed to better understand the specific gait abnormalities associated with ACL reconstruction and develop targeted interventions to address them. However, these findings underscore the need for ongoing attention to gait patterns in ACL rehabilitation and suggest that gait normalization should be a key goal in the recovery process.
How would implementing gait normalization as a standard of care impact patient outcomes and resource allocation in ACL rehabilitation? [[1](https://ijspt.org/neurocognitive-and-neuromuscular-rehabilitation-techniques-after-acl-injury-part-2-maximizing-performance-in-the-advanced-return-to-sport-phase/) ]
**Interviewer:** ”This study raises an interesting question: Should a focus on gait normalization during rehabilitation become a standard of care for all ACL reconstruction patients, even if their knee seems stable?”
