Abstract
Introduction Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a serious knee injury that occurs in both children and adolescents and the incidence is increasing. The purpose of the study was to investigate children’s development of their physical function 1 year and 3 years after undergoing ACL-reconstruction.
Materials and Methods Data was collected from a cohort running as part of clinical practice at Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospitaler. From 2011 to 2022, 148 children were at that time at least 3 years postoperative after ACL-reconstruction. The children’s physical function was assessed with 4 hop tests and in a power rig, where the strength ratio between the operated leg and the healthy leg was measured with the Limb Symmetry Index (LSI). The anterior knee stability was assessed with a rolimeter and the children completed the Pedi-IKDC and KOOS-Child questionaries to evaluate their own experience of knee function.
Results LSI was well over 90% on all 4 hop tests as well as in the power rig both at the 1-year and 3-year test. Anterior knee laxity was less than 2 mm at both 1-year test and 3-year test. The self-reported questionnaire Pedi-IKDC showed significant improvement in the score from 1-year test to 3-year test and KOOS-Child showed significant improvement in 2 of the 5 domains.
Conclusion The included children had good physical function both 1 year and 3 years after ACL-reconstruction. The children did not feel that their sport specific function and quality of life were at the best possible level.
