Strength and Function Across Maturational Levels in Young Athletes at the Time of Return to Sport After ACL Reconstruction

The impact of maturation on lower extremity strength and function after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) may help guide future studies of age-specific rehabilitation. Pediatric ACLR patients would demonstrate higher thigh strength symmetry and knee-related function at return to sport (RTS) compared with adolescent and young adult participants who underwent traditional ACLR. Prospective cohort study. Level 2. A total of 144 young athletes at the time of RTS clearance post-ACLR were classified into 3 maturational groups (pediatric, n = 16 with physeal-sparing ACLR [mean age = 12.3 years; range = 9.2-14.6 years]; adolescent, n = 113 [mean age = 16.5 years; range = 14.1-19.8 years]; young adult, n = 15 [mean age = 22.0 years; range = 20.5-24.9 years]). Quadriceps and hamstring strength were measured using an electromechanical dynamometer. Knee-related function was measured using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective form and single-leg hop tests. The Limb symmetry Index (LSI) was used in calculations for hop and strength tests. Group differences were compared with Kruskal-Wallis tests and Mann-Whitney U post hoc tests. Proportions of participants meeting literature-recommended RTS criterion cutoffs were compared among the groups using chi-square tests. The pediatric group demonstrated higher quadriceps LSI (P = 0.01), IKDC scores (P < 0.01), single-hop LSI (P < 0.01), and crossover-hop LSI (P = 0.02) compared with the young adult group. In addition, the pediatric group demonstrated higher IKDC scores (P < 0.01) and single-hop LSI (P = 0.02) compared with the adolescent group. The adolescent group demonstrated higher IKDC scores (P < 0.01), single-hop LSI (P = 0.02), and crossover-hop LSI (P = 0.03) compared with the young adult group. The proportions of participants meeting all RTS criterion cutoffs were highest in the pediatric group and lowest in the young adult group (P = 0.03). Young athletes at RTS clearance after pediatric ACLR demonstrated higher quadriceps strength symmetry and knee-related function than adolescents and young adults after traditional ACLR. These findings demonstrate the need for further study regarding the impact of these group differences on longitudinal outcomes after ACLR, including successful RTS and risk of second ACL injury