Quadriceps Strength After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Compared With Uninjured Matched Controls: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: The limb symmetry index may overestimate the recovery of quadriceps muscle strength after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Comparison of individuals who have had anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with age-, sex-, and activity-matched individuals might be more appropriate to guide rehabilitation interventions. PURPOSE: To compare the quadriceps strength between the injured limb of people with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and the limb of an age-, sex-, and activity-matched control group. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and SPORTDiscus were searched between inception and April 2019. Studies were included if they reported the peak quadriceps strength for persons with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and age-, sex-, and activity-matched control groups measured using isometric or isokinetic dynamometry. Risk of bias was assessed, and meta-analyses and metaregression (for effect of time since surgery) were performed. RESULTS: A total of 2759 studies were identified and 21 were included for analyses. Quadriceps strength was lower in the limbs with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction compared with the limb from matched controls within 6 months of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (standardized mean difference [SMD], –1.42; 95% CI, –1.62 to –1.23), 6 to 18 months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (SMD, –0.92; 95% CI, –1.18 to –0.66), and >18 to 48 months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (SMD, –0.38; 95% CI, –0.79 to 0.03). Results of the metaregression were significant, with the difference between anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and matched controls decreasing with time since surgery (P < .001). CONCLUSION: In people with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, the injured limb had lower quadriceps strength compared with the limb of age-, sex-, and activity-matched controls up to 4 years after surgery. Clinicians should consider comparison with matched cohorts for return to sports decision making.