Influence of Graft Type on Muscle Contractile Dynamics After ACL Reconstruction: A 9-Month Tensiomyographic Follow-Up
<b>Background</b>: Persistent neuromuscular deficits following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) are frequently attributed to arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI). The type of autologous graft used may influence the trajectory of neuromuscular recovery. <b>Objective&l...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| author | Georges Kakavas Florian Forelli Yoann Demangeot Vasileios Korakakis Nikolaos Malliaropoulos Nicola Maffulli |
| author_facet | Georges Kakavas Florian Forelli Yoann Demangeot Vasileios Korakakis Nikolaos Malliaropoulos Nicola Maffulli |
| author_sort | Georges Kakavas |
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| description | <b>Background</b>: Persistent neuromuscular deficits following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) are frequently attributed to arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI). The type of autologous graft used may influence the trajectory of neuromuscular recovery. <b>Objective</b>: To investigate the influence of graft type—bone–patellar tendon–bone (BPTB), hamstring tendon (HT), and quadriceps tendon (QT)—on the contractile properties of periarticular knee muscles over a 9-month post-operative period. <b>Hypothesis</b>: Each graft type would result in distinct recovery patterns of muscle contractility, as measured by tensiomyography (TMG). <b>Methods</b>: Thirty-one patients undergoing ACLR with BPTB (<i>n</i> = 8), HT (<i>n</i> = 12), or QT (<i>n</i> = 11) autografts were evaluated at 3, 6, and 9 months post-operatively. TMG was used to measure contraction time (Tc) and maximal displacement (Dm) in the rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and biceps femoris. <b>Results</b>: Significant within-group improvements in Tc and Dm were observed across all graft types from 3 to 9 months (Tc: <i>p</i> < 0.001 to <i>p</i> = 0.02; Dm: <i>p</i> < 0.001 to <i>p</i> = 0.01). The QT group showed the most pronounced Tc reduction in RF (from 30.16 ± 2.4 ms to 15.44 ± 1.6 ms, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and VM (from 31.05 ± 2.6 ms to 18.65 ± 1.8 ms, <i>p</i> = 0.004). In contrast, HT grafts demonstrated limited Tc recovery in BF between 6 and 9 months compared to BPTB and QT (<i>p</i> < 0.001), indicating a stagnation phase. BPTB exhibited persistent bilateral deficits in both quadriceps and BF at 9 months. <b>Conclusions</b>: Autograft type significantly influences neuromuscular recovery patterns after ACLR. TMG enables objective, muscle-specific monitoring of contractile dynamics and may support future individualized rehabilitation strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-85bd2584887342e59950e4d2b6e3c49e |
| institution | Kabale University |
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| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-85bd2584887342e59950e4d2b6e3c49e2025-08-20T03:35:58ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182025-07-011515192010.3390/diagnostics15151920Influence of Graft Type on Muscle Contractile Dynamics After ACL Reconstruction: A 9-Month Tensiomyographic Follow-UpGeorges Kakavas0Florian Forelli1Yoann Demangeot2Vasileios Korakakis3Nikolaos Malliaropoulos4Nicola Maffulli5Fysiotek, Spine and Sports Lab, 11635 Athens, GreeceHaute-Ecole Arc Santé, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, 2000 Neuchâtel, SwitzerlandUniversity of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, MATIM, 51100 Reims, FranceDepartment of Health Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Health Sciences, PhD in Physiotherapy Program, University of Nicosia, Nicosia 2417, CyprusCenter of Orthopaedics and Regenerative Medicine (C.O.RE.)/(C.I.R.I.)—Aristotle University Thessaloniki, 10431 Hellas, GreeceCentre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK<b>Background</b>: Persistent neuromuscular deficits following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) are frequently attributed to arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI). The type of autologous graft used may influence the trajectory of neuromuscular recovery. <b>Objective</b>: To investigate the influence of graft type—bone–patellar tendon–bone (BPTB), hamstring tendon (HT), and quadriceps tendon (QT)—on the contractile properties of periarticular knee muscles over a 9-month post-operative period. <b>Hypothesis</b>: Each graft type would result in distinct recovery patterns of muscle contractility, as measured by tensiomyography (TMG). <b>Methods</b>: Thirty-one patients undergoing ACLR with BPTB (<i>n</i> = 8), HT (<i>n</i> = 12), or QT (<i>n</i> = 11) autografts were evaluated at 3, 6, and 9 months post-operatively. TMG was used to measure contraction time (Tc) and maximal displacement (Dm) in the rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and biceps femoris. <b>Results</b>: Significant within-group improvements in Tc and Dm were observed across all graft types from 3 to 9 months (Tc: <i>p</i> < 0.001 to <i>p</i> = 0.02; Dm: <i>p</i> < 0.001 to <i>p</i> = 0.01). The QT group showed the most pronounced Tc reduction in RF (from 30.16 ± 2.4 ms to 15.44 ± 1.6 ms, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and VM (from 31.05 ± 2.6 ms to 18.65 ± 1.8 ms, <i>p</i> = 0.004). In contrast, HT grafts demonstrated limited Tc recovery in BF between 6 and 9 months compared to BPTB and QT (<i>p</i> < 0.001), indicating a stagnation phase. BPTB exhibited persistent bilateral deficits in both quadriceps and BF at 9 months. <b>Conclusions</b>: Autograft type significantly influences neuromuscular recovery patterns after ACLR. TMG enables objective, muscle-specific monitoring of contractile dynamics and may support future individualized rehabilitation strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/15/1920anterior cruciate ligament reconstructiontensiomyographygraft typemuscle recoveryneuromuscular assessment |
| spellingShingle | Georges Kakavas Florian Forelli Yoann Demangeot Vasileios Korakakis Nikolaos Malliaropoulos Nicola Maffulli Influence of Graft Type on Muscle Contractile Dynamics After ACL Reconstruction: A 9-Month Tensiomyographic Follow-Up Diagnostics anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction tensiomyography graft type muscle recovery neuromuscular assessment |
| title | Influence of Graft Type on Muscle Contractile Dynamics After ACL Reconstruction: A 9-Month Tensiomyographic Follow-Up |
| title_full | Influence of Graft Type on Muscle Contractile Dynamics After ACL Reconstruction: A 9-Month Tensiomyographic Follow-Up |
| title_fullStr | Influence of Graft Type on Muscle Contractile Dynamics After ACL Reconstruction: A 9-Month Tensiomyographic Follow-Up |
| title_full_unstemmed | Influence of Graft Type on Muscle Contractile Dynamics After ACL Reconstruction: A 9-Month Tensiomyographic Follow-Up |
| title_short | Influence of Graft Type on Muscle Contractile Dynamics After ACL Reconstruction: A 9-Month Tensiomyographic Follow-Up |
| title_sort | influence of graft type on muscle contractile dynamics after acl reconstruction a 9 month tensiomyographic follow up |
| topic | anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction tensiomyography graft type muscle recovery neuromuscular assessment |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/15/1920 |
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