Isokinetic muscle strength and knee function associated with double femoral pin fixation and fixation with interference screw in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Purpose Intensive scheduling in sports requires athletes to resume physical activity shortly after injury. The purpose of this study was to investigate early isokinetic muscle strength and knee function on bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) ACL reconstruction with double femoral pin fixation or interference screw technique. Methods A prospective study was conducted from 2008 to 2009, with 48 athletes who received femoral BPTB fixation with interference screw ( n = 26) or double pin ( n = 22). Clinical (IKDC objective score and hop test) and isokinetic muscle strength (peak torque (PT), PT/body weight and flexion/extension rate (F/E) in 60 and 240°/s) were analyzed at 6 months of follow-up. Results Analysis at baseline showed no differences between groups before surgery related to age, gender, associated injury, Tegner or Lysholm score; thus showing that groups were similar. During follow-up, however, there were significant differences between the two groups in some of the isokinetic muscle strength: PT/BW 60°/s (Double Pin = 200% ± 13% vs. Interference Screw = 253% ± 16%*, * P = 0.01); F/E 60°/s (Double Pin = 89% ± 29%* vs. Interference Screw = 74% ± 12%, * P = 0.04). No statistical differences between groups were observed on IKDC objective score, hop test and complications. Conclusion The significant muscle strength outcome of the interference screw group found in this study gives initial evidence that this fixation technique is useful for athletes that may need accelerated rehabilitation. Early return to sports ability signaled by isokinetic muscle strength is of clinical relevance as it is one of the main goals for athletes’ rehabilitation. Level of evidence III.