Recovery in functional non-copers following anterior cruciate ligament rupture as detected by gait kinematics

ObjectivesTo evaluate if gait compensation strategies for selected kinematic variables can be identified in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficient non-copers using two-dimensional (2D) clinical gait analysis.DesignProspective observational design, repeated measures.SettingUniversity hospital, out-patients department.PatientsSixty-three patients that attended the acute knee screening service were diagnosed with an acute ACL rupture and consented to participate. A sub-set of 15 copers/adapters and 13 non-copers were eligible for final analysis because they were contactable for sub-classification and had gait analysis at 1 and 4 months post-injury.Main outcome measures2D video gait analysis for sagittal plane hip, knee and ankle kinematics and time–distance variables.ResultsAt 4 months post-injury non-copers demonstrated significantly less recovery of knee angle (F(1,1)=5.79, p<0.024), hip displacement angle (F(1,1)=4.89, p<0.036), step length (F(1,1) =6.80, p=0.015), cadence (F(1,1)=5.85, p=0.023) and velocity (F(1,1)=10.89, p=0.003), compared to copers/adapters. Also non-copers demonstrated altered correlations between gait parameters.ConclusionAt 4 months post-injury non-copers had an inferior gait performance compared to copers/adapters for kinematics and time–distance variables. 2D clinical kinematic gait analysis, particularly of the hip and knee can inform early rehabilitation techniques and monitor recovery.