By Jordana Bieze Foster
Factors contributing to kinesiophobia after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) appear to differ in patients with high levels of physical activity compared with their less-active counterparts, according to research from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.
Investigators analyzed 80 patients who were a mean of 6.3 months post-ACLR, including 28 who self-reported low levels of physical activity and 28 who self-reported high levels.
Scores on the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) were significantly associated with functional measures—specifically hamstrings strength and hop test performance—in the highly active group, but not in the less-active group.
“Objective measures may only be relevant with regard to TSK for highly active patients,” said Haley Solaas, MEd, a former graduate student at the university who is now head athletic trainer for Newport News Public Schools in Virginia; she presented the findings in late June at the annual NATA meeting in Houston, TX. “I think a global approach to return to play is important, not only functional performance, no matter what the patient’s activity level is.”
Source:
Solaas HR, Norte GE, Saliba SA, Hertel JM. Physical activity influences the relationship between lower extremity function and fear of movement after ACL reconstruction. J Athl Train 2017;52(6 Suppl):S85-S86.
