ABSTRACTS All domain scores differed from an age-matched healthy control group, but VT. The mean postoperative SF-36 domain scores at 12 months were PF 92.10 ⫾ 10.45 SD; RF 88.15 ⫾ 17.80 DS; BP 81.31 ⫾ 18.33 DS; GH 79.47 ⫾ 11.74 DS; VT 74.73 ⫾ 20.30 DS; SF 90.31 ⫾ 12.74 DS; RE 96.52 ⫾ 10.40 DS; MH 80.42 ⫾ 12.91 DS. All domain scores did not significantly differ from an agematched healthy control group, but VT, RE, MH which were significantly higher than the norm. The mean preoperative Lysholm score was 62 ⫾ 15.76 SD; at 6 and at 12 months was 83.15 ⫾ 11.92 SD and 92.10 ⫾ 10.45 SD respectively. All domain scores in Group 1 significantly differed from Group 2 pre-operatively; all domains scores were lower in Group 2. No significant differences among domains between Group 1 and Group 2 were noted 12 months after surgery, but BP, which was lower in Group 2. Conclusion: Patients both men and women with ACL lesion exhibit a significant worsening of their general health status in the absence of any other comorbidity factor when compared to age-matched healthy individuals preoperatively. Females seems to show a significant worse perception of their general health status. In females, surgery seems to improve both Quality of Life except for physical-related activities and self-perceived knee performance at 6 months; in males surgery seems to improve both Quality of Life and self-perceived knee performance at 6 months. At 12 months patients, both females and males, exhibit a return to normality as to Quality of life and self-perceived knee performance. We suggest that autogenous bone-patellar tendon-bone ACL reconstruction is equally successful in well-matched populations of males and females. There is no evidence for the inclusion of gender as a determining factor regarding the decision to using bone-patellar-tendon-bone performing ACL reconstructive surgery Paper 70: Biomechanical and Clinical Changes in ACL Injured Subjects Following a Neuromuscular Training Program MAY ARNA RISBERG, OSLO, NORWAY, PRESENTER H. MOKSNES, NORWAY A STOREVOLD, NORWAY INGER HOLM, OSLO, NORWAY LARS ENGEBRETSEN, OSLO, NORWAY · Ullevaal University Hospital, Oslo, Norway Purpose: Neuromuscular exercises to induce changes in lower extremity neuromuscular responses are being implemented for subjects with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during the rehabilitation programs. While effectiveness has been demonstrated in a few studies, the
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mechanism responsible is for these changes are unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine changes in biomechanical-, electromyographic (EMG)-, and clinical outcome following a rehabilitation program including neuromuscular exercises in ACL injured subjects. Subjects: Thirty ACL injured subjects with a mean age of 26 years, participated in a 20 session rehabilitation program consisting of balance-, jumping-, perturbation exercises and lower extremity strengthening exercises. METHODS: Prior to training, and after completing training, subjects were examined using knee arthrometer (KT-1000), Knee Outcome Survey (KOS-ADL), VAS for satisfaction, the new version of the IKDC form, quadriceps and hamstring muscles strength (Cybex 6000), 4 functional knee tests, and motion analysis testing (Qualysis); first, ten trials of free-speed walking were collected, followed by three trails of one-leg jumping on each leg. An 8-camera motion analysis system was used to collect lower extremity kinetic and kinematic data at a frequency of 240 Hz. Rigid body analysis was used to calculate the hip, knee, and ankle angles and moments at initial contact, peak knee flexion, and peak knee extension. EMG data were collected at a frequency of 960 Hz with active surface electrodes over the vastus lateralis and medialis, medial and lateral hamstrings, medial gastrocnemius, soleus, and tibialis anterior muscles. Results: Significant improvement in knee function was found for the KOS-ADL (p⬍0.05), VAS (p⬍0.01), IKDC (p⬍0.001), one leg hop test(p⬍0.01), thigh muscle strength (p⬍0.05), and knee flexion angle and moments during gait, after the 20 session neuromuscular training program. Conclusion: This rehabilitation program significantly improved clinical outcome, induced changes in the lower extremity kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activity patterns. This study provides insight into the possible mechanisms underlying the effect of neuromuscular training program. Paper 71: ACL Reconstruction in Male and Female Athletes With Patellar Tendon or Hamstring: Is There a Difference? ALBERTO W. GOBBI, MILAN, ITALY, PRESENTER RAMCES A. FRANCISCO, MILAN, ITALY MATTEO G. VITALI, MILAN, ITALY · Orthopaedic Arthroscopic Surgery Int., Milan, Italy Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if there were differences in the results of ACL reconstruction between males and females using the patellar tendon and semitendinosus autografts.