Association between quadriceps muscle thickness and knee function in anterior cruciate ligament reconstructed athletes: a cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to investigate the association between vastus medialis obliquus (VMO), rectus femoris (RF), and vastus lateralis (VL) muscle thickness and quadriceps isokinetic strength, single-leg hop performance, and self-reported knee function in male athletes who had undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Forty-two male athletes [mean ± standard deviation, age: 21.4 ± 3.4 years], who had undergone ACLR and had cleared to return to activity, were included in this study. Real-time ultrasound images of VMO, RF, and VL thicknesses were obtained from both reconstructed and contralateral limbs. Concentric quadriceps peak torque at 60°/s and 180°/s, single-leg hop for Distance (SLHD), and self-reported knee function scores were also assessed. Linear regression analysis and student t tests were used for statistical analysis. In reconstructed limb, greater VMO, RF, and VL thicknesses were associated with greater quadriceps peak torque at 60°/s (p = .008, r Quadriceps thickness by using ultrasound was associated with concentric quadriceps strength and single-leg hop distance in individuals who had undergone ACLR. However, quadriceps thickness was not related to self-reported knee function. The ultrasonography may be included in the evaluation of the knee function after ACLR, and it may be a useful and easy method in the follow-up of the quadriceps strength recovery following ACLR.