Arthrogenic motor inhibition (AMI) is a frequent and still insufficiently considered complication after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, with major repercussions on quadriceps activation, recovery of knee extension and the risk of postoperative stiffness.
A new prospective study (Sonnery-Cottet et al., 2026) provides precise clinical insights into the early progression of this phenomenon. The authors report a high incidence of AMI, affecting nearly one patient every two to three weeks after surgery, and persisting in approximately one-quarter of patients at six weeks. However, the majority of observed cases are reversible, provided they are identified early and treated appropriately.
Three major risk factors for AMI at 3 weeks post-surgery are identified:
- The presence of an AMI in the preoperative period,
- High immediate pain after the procedure (VAS > 7)
- The absence of preoperative rehabilitation
These results confirm that surgery alone does not always restore effective neuromuscular activation and can sometimes reinforce inhibitory mechanisms related to pain, inflammation and central adaptations.
Clinically, this study emphasizes the importance of proactive management: avoiding surgery on a knee with persistent inhibition, incorporating targeted preoperative rehabilitation, and controlling pain early. Neuromotor reprogramming, cited as a specific tool, illustrates how approaches such as Allyane therapy can complement rehabilitation from the first postoperative weeks.
Authors: Sonnery Cottet et al. 2026
DOI: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/23259671251350305
Research article written by Typhanie Dos Anjos, PhD