Do patients with ACL tears demonstrate weakness of the soleus muscle?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Do patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears demonstrate weakness of the soleus muscle?
IRAS ID
323697
Contact name
Rachel A Oldershaw
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 31 days
Research summary
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the major ligaments within the knee, which functions to stabilise the knee joint by restricting translational movement of the lower leg (tibia) in relation to the thigh (femur). The ACL is highly vulnerable to injury, which requires rehabilitation through targeted and intensive physiotherapy that strengthens surrounding leg muscles and encourages the stabilisation of the knee joint.
The soleus muscle, which forms part of the calf muscles of the back of the lower leg, is a powerful muscle positioned between the knee and the heel. The soleus muscle functions to assist the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in preventing anterior tibial translation and is considered to have an important role determining clinical outcomes in rehabilitation following ACL injury. Soleus weakness has been demonstrated in male athletes following ACL reconstruction but there is a lack of information of how the soleus muscle is affected in patients being managed non-operatively and how this impact on the clinical outcome of their rehabilitation pathway.
The aim of this study is to determine whether patients with MRI-confirmed ACL tears demonstrate soleus weakness during isometric strength testing. Identifying deficits in soleus strength provides a target for treatment, which may improve knee stability and reduce the need for surgical reconstruction following ACL injury.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/EM/0253
Date of REC Opinion
23 Nov 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion