Plantar Pressure Distribution And Postural Stability In Young Adults Diagnosed With Complete Rupture Of Anterior Cruciate Ligament

Abstract

Jose Roberto Sammartino Krettelys, Matheus Brito Rocha, Pedro Mariano Coelho Neto, Pedro Henrique Vieira Partata and Fernanda Grazielle da Silva Azevedo Nora

Objective: analyze alterations in plantar pressure distribution and balance in young adults diagnosed with a complete ACL rupture, as well as to evaluate the impact of these conditions on athletic performance.

Methodology: This study involved 34 young adults, divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of a complete Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) rupture. The study’s methodology included specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, ethical considerations, an experimental protocol involving plantar pressure distribution and bipodal open-eye postural control assessments, and statistical analysis using Minitab 21 software. The plantar pressure was recorded using a Baroscan Podotech platform, and the displacement amplitude of the center of pressure (COP) was evaluated in both anteroposterior (COPAP) and mediolateral (COPML) directions. The results were analyzed for normality, homogeneity, and differences within the group, with a p-value ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: In this study, all participants in Group A, who all had an injury to the right knee, served as a crucial criterion for their inclusion and an important reference point for the analysis. The Center of Pressure Anteroposterior (COPAP) measurement in Group A was 17.79 cm (±0.82), while in Group B, this measurement was significantly higher, at 25.10 cm (±1.04). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p=0.01). As for the Center of Pressure Medial-lateral (COPML) measurement, it was 14.47 cm (±9.99) in Group A and 10.80 cm (±0.69) in Group B. Again, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p=0.01).

Conclusion: The study concludes that a complete rupture of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) significantly influences the Anteroposterior (COPAP) and Mediolateral (COPML) Center of Pressure measures but may have less impact on plantar pressure distribution. A trend of higher pressure in the Forefoot compared to the Rearfoot was observed in both groups, possibly due to biomechanical changes following an ACL rupture. These findings, which align with recent studies, suggest that while plantar pressure and center of pressure measurements are important for diagnosing foot problems and monitoring gait and posture, an ACL rupture may have a less pronounced impact on plantar pressure distribution. Further research is needed, but these insights could have important implications for the rehabilitation and management of individuals with an ACL rupture.

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