Volume 16, Number 3, 279-285, DOI: 10.1007/s00167-007-0463-0

Published in partnership with

Logo

Contributory factors to the results of gravity-assisted pivot-shift test for anterior cruciate ligament injury: the significance of muscle torque around the knee

Hisatada Hiraoka, Motohisa Yashiki and Hiroya Sakai

View Related Documents

Abstract

Gravity-assisted pivot-shift (GAPS) test is a newly advocated test for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. It induces anterolateral rotatory instability with valgus stress to the knee applied by gravitational force during patient’s active knee motion. We investigated prospectively the relationships between the results of the GAPS test and the possible contributory factors and sought to clarify the determinant factors of the GAPS test. A total of 54 knee joints of 54 patients with unilateral ACL injury (29 males, 25 females, average 23.4 ± 9.0 years old) were enrolled in this study and were divided into two groups, i.e., positive GAPS test group and negative GAPS test group. Muscle torque around the knee joints measured before surgery, configuration of the femoral condyle and tibial posterior slope angle measured on lateral radiograph, and other clinical factors were compared between the two groups using Mann–Whitney U test or chi-square test. According to the results of these analyses, factors having a statistically significant difference were additionally evaluated using multiple logistic regression analysis to reveal items with strong relevance to a positive GAPS test. The results of the multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the flexor/extensor peak torque ratio of contralateral uninjured knees and sex had a significant correlation with the results of the GAPS test. The relatively less flexor muscle torque compared with extensor muscle torque, and being a female patient were considered to be the determinant factors of a positive GAPS test.

Keywords  Anterior cruciate ligament - Anterolateral rotatory instability - Pivot shift - Gravity - Muscle torque

Disclaimer: No benefits in any form have been received or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article. No funds were also received in support of this study. The authors declare that this study complies with the law of Japan.

Fulltext Preview

Image of the first page of the fulltext document