Kinematic differences in participants with ACL-deficient knees during stair ascending with different height

Patients with ACL deficiency (ACLD) have to use different compensatory mechanisms to maintain their stability during daily activities. The aim of this study is to determine the differences in 3D kinematics and peak ground reaction forces (GRF) between ACL deficient legs and healthy contralateral legs during stair ascent. Eight subjects with unilateral ACL deficiency participated in this study. Healthy contralateral legs were considered as control group for further comparisons to ACL deficient legs. A six camera VICON motion analysis system and 2 portable force plates were used to record the locomotion while walking up custom-made stairs with two different step heights. Advanced OSSCA technique was used to assess tibiofemoral knee kinematics, a combination of symmetrical axis of rotation (SARA), symmetrical center of rotation estimation (SCoRE) and optimal common shape technique (OCST). The results of this study show that participants with ACLD experienced different kinematics and peak GRFs in different step heights (p