Summary:
Changes in bone mineral density of the affected member following anterior
cruciate ligament injury and surgery have been studied extensively over the
past century. There is not in Greek Literature similar study and the purpose
of this paper is to get a complete picture of changes in hip bone mineral
density after ACL rupture and surgical repair of this through a review of
current litteraturePrevious studies have dealt mainly with the change in bone
mineral density of the knee, less in the spine and even less on the
calcaneus.Six studies include changes in bone mineral density of the hip and
only one study the hip as the specific location of emphasis .The results from
the review of the literature is that decrease in bone mineral density of the
affected lower extremity is mainly in the knee region , to a lesser extent the
hip, but the spine and calcaneus are not affected.The main contributing
factors in this decrease is immobilization, not weight-bearing, muscle atrophy
and functionality of the affected member postoperatively. The newer and more
atraumatic surgical restoration techniques, the rapid mobilization of the
limb, the good functionality of the lower extremity and the muscles
strengthening definitely help in limiting the decrease in bone mineral density
but still remain subject to further investigation.
Keywords:
anterior cruciate ligament, bone mineral density, hip, unilateral rupture