The study aimed to identify athlete-reported reasons for not returning to
pre-injury sports level after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR)
and to identify the factors associated with these reasons. Ninety-one athletes
with 2 years post-ACLR indicated whether or not they had returned to their
pre-injury sport level (same frequency, duration, and intensity). Athletes who
did not return were asked to provide the reasons. Athletes’ characteristics and
injury-related factors were used to determine factors associated with the
reasons for not returning. Only nine athletes (10%) returned to pre-injury sport
level after ACLR. The most common reasons for not returning were lack of
confidence or concerns about re-injury (48.8%), followed by continued
post-surgical impairments in the reconstructed knee (39%). Having episodes of
the knee giving way after ACLR was the only significant predictor of
post-surgical impairments (48.8%; OR=8.3, 95%CI=2.48–27.42, p=0.001). Lack of
confidence, concerns about re-injury, or post-surgical impairments in the
reconstructed knee were the most frequently reported reasons for not returning
to pre-injury sports level with 2 years post-ACLR. Reported dynamic knee
instability was the only factor associated with ongoing post-surgical knee
impairments after ACLR. Rehabilitation programs should address athletes’
psychological responses and resolve knee impairments to optimize return to
pre-injury sport level after ACLR.
Keywords
anterior cruciate ligament -
knee surgery -
return to sport
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