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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy

Published in:

01-11-2015 | Knee

Anterior cruciate ligament injury and ankle dorsiflexion

Authors: Charlotta Wahlstedt, Eva Rasmussen-Barr

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 11/2015

Abstract

Purpose

The aim was to study whether the degree of ankle dorsiflexion differs between subjects with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and uninjured controls. Another aim was to study ankle dorsiflexion between the injured and the uninjured leg and in addition between women and men with an ACL injury.

Method

Sixty subjects (ACL injury, n = 30 and controls, n = 30) were enroled consecutively at two physical therapy settings. Ankle dorsiflexion was measured with a goniometer in a standardized way in a weight-bearing lunge position.

Results

Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant difference (p < 0.001) in ankle dorsiflexion between subjects with an ACL injury (mean 41.1° SD 5.7) and those without (mean 46.6° SD 5.3). No difference in ankle dorsiflexion was found between the injured leg and the uninjured or between women and men with ACL injury.

Conclusion

The present findings suggest lower degree of ankle dorsiflexion in subjects with an ACL injury than in uninjured controls. A functional test measuring ankle dorsiflexion with a goniometer may be one way of identifying individuals at increased risk of ACL injury.

Level of evidence

Comparative study, Level II.

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Title: Anterior cruciate ligament injury and ankle dorsiflexion
Authors: Charlotta Wahlstedt
Eva Rasmussen-Barr
Publication date: 01-11-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 11/2015
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-014-3123-1

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Anterior cruciate ligament injury and ankle dorsiflexion

Abstract

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusion

Level of evidence

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusion

Level of evidence

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