Effects of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction on patellofemoral joint stress and lower extremity biomechanics at 12 weeks post-surgery and at time of return to sport in adolescent females

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to examine kinematic and kinetic differences associated with patellofemoral pain after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction between limbs at 12-week post-surgery and at time of return to sport. Method Twenty-four adolescent females completed 5 consecutive single leg squats on each limb at 12-weeks post-surgery and again during their RTS assessment. Peak knee extension moment, peak hip adduction angle, and patellofemoral joint stress at 45 degrees of knee flexion were calculated. Separate two by two repeated measures ANOVA were performed. Findings There was a significant interaction (limb × time) for knee extension moment (p  Interpretation The surgical limb of participants following ACL-R demonstrated variables that have been associated with the development of patellofemoral pain.