Knee kinesiography for dynamic assessment of anterior cruciate ligament ruptures: Potential for a pediatric application

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures are common, particularly among athletes, and lead to altered biomechanics that complicate rehabilitation and return to activities. These alterations must be assessed to tailor therapeutic strategies and reduce the risk of long-term complications. This literature review examines the clinical applications of knee kinesiography, focusing on its role in evaluating dynamic knee adaptations following ACL rupture. It highlights the method’s advantages over traditional motion analysis techniques and explores its potential use in pediatric populations. This literature review was conducted in February 2025 in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science without date restrictions. Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed studies involving patients with ACL ruptures and assessing knee biomechanics using knee kinesiography. Studies using laboratory-based motion capture systems, other portable technologies, case reports, or lacking a clear description of gait assessment methods were excluded. Five cohort studies were included: four in adults with ACL deficiency and one in pediatric patients. Knee kinesiography allows objective, dynamic, weight-bearing assessment of knee kinematics across all three anatomical planes. It detects gait alterations post-ACL rupture, such as increased stance-phase knee flexion and abnormal tibial rotation. It supports personalized rehabilitation based on objective data. However, pediatric applications remain limited, and the lack of normative data restricts interpretation in this population. Knee kinesiography is a valuable, accessible tool for dynamic analysis following ACL rupture. Clinically, it can guide individualized treatment strategies. Further pediatric research is needed to establish normative values and adapt this approach to younger populations.