1
|
Tourville TW, Voigt TB, Choquette RH, Failla MJ, Endres NK, Slauterbeck JR, Beynnon BD, Toth MJ. Skeletal muscle cellular contractile dysfunction after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction contributes to quadriceps weakness at 6-month follow-up. J Orthop Res 2022; 40:727-737. [PMID: 33969521 PMCID: PMC8578585 DOI: 10.1002/jor.25065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Muscle dysfunction following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) may evolve from alterations in muscle contractility at the myofilament protein level. Using a prospective, within-subject case-control design, we evaluated cellular-level contractility, cross-sectional area (CSA), and myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform expression on single muscle fibers 3 weeks post ACLR, and evaluated their relationship to whole muscle strength and patient-oriented outcomes 6 months post operation. Biopsies of the vastus lateralis were performed 3 weeks post ACLR in 11 subjects (5 females, mean age ± SD = 24.7 ± 6.5 years, height = 172.7 ± 8.2 cm, mass = 75.7 ± 12.5 kg) following first-time ACL rupture and whole muscle strength and self-reported pain, function, and quality of life assessed 6 months post ACLR. At 3 weeks post ACLR, force production was reduced (p < 0.01) in MHC I (-36%) and IIA (-48%) fibers compared with the non-injured leg. When force production was expressed relative to CSA to account for fiber atrophy, reductions remained in MHC IIA fibers (-40%; p < 0.001), but MHC I fibers showed only a trend toward being lower (-13%; p = 0.09). Finally, skeletal muscle fiber functional deficits at 3 weeks post ACLR were associated with whole muscle weakness and less favorable patient-reported outcomes at 6-month follow-up. Thus, ACLR promotes early cellular contractile dysfunction that may contribute to decreased whole muscle strength and patient function, and increased patient-reported symptoms, at 6-month follow-up.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy W. Tourville
- Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA.,Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Thomas B. Voigt
- Department of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Rebecca H. Choquette
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Mathew J. Failla
- Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Nathan K. Endres
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - James R. Slauterbeck
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Bruce D. Beynnon
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Michael J. Toth
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA,Department of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| |
Collapse
|