scholarly journals Return to High School– and College-Level Football After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (11) ◽  
pp. 2523-2529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirk A. McCullough ◽  
Kevin D. Phelps ◽  
Kurt P. Spindler ◽  
Matthew J. Matava ◽  
Warren R. Dunn ◽  
...  

Background: There is a relative paucity of data regarding the effect of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction on the ability of American high school and collegiate football players to return to play at the same level of competition as before their injury or to progress to play at the next level of competition. Purpose: (1) To identify the percentage of high school and collegiate American football players who successfully returned to play at their previous level of competition, (2) to investigate self-reported performance for those players able to return to play or reason(s) for not returning to play, and (3) to elucidate risk factors responsible for players not being able to return to play or not returning to the same level of performance. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of prospective patients taken from the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) cohort who identified football as their primary or secondary sport. Identified patients were then questioned in a structured interview regarding their ACL injury, participation in football before their injury, and factors associated with returning to play. Data were analyzed for player position, concurrent meniscal/ligamentous/chondral injury, surgical technique and graft used for ACL reconstruction, and issues pertaining to timing and ability to return to play. Results: One hundred forty-seven players (including 68 high school and 26 collegiate) met our criteria and were contacted from the 2002 and 2003 MOON cohorts. Return to play rates for all high school and collegiate athletes were similar (63% and 69%, respectively). Based on player perception, 43% of the players were able to return to play at the same self-described performance level. Approximately 27% felt they did not perform at a level attained before their ACL tear, and 30% were unable to return to play at all. Although two thirds of players reported some “other interest” contributing to their decision not to return, at both levels of competition, fear of reinjury or further damage was cited by approximately 50% of the players who did not return to play. Analysis of patient-reported outcome scores at a minimum of 2 years after surgery between patients who returned to play and those who did not demonstrated clinically and statistically significant differences in the International Knee Documentation Committee form, Marx Activity Scale, and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score knee-related quality of life subscale in the collegiate players. Similar clinical differences were not statistically significant in the high school students. Player position did not have a statistically significant effect on the ability to return to play for high school players, and 41% of “skilled” position players and 50% of “nonskilled” position players were able to return to play at the same performance level. Conclusion: Return to play percentages for amateur American football players after ACL reconstruction are not as high as would be expected. While technical aspects of ACL reconstruction and the ensuing rehabilitation have been studied extensively, the psychological factors (primarily a fear of reinjury) influencing the ability to return to play after ACL surgery may be underestimated as a critical factor responsible for athletes not returning to play at any level of competition.

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 232596711984105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Martin Wise ◽  
Robert A. Gallo

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are devastating for college football players. Although the change in functional performance of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football players after reconstruction has been shown to be negligible, studies have failed to analyze the statistical performance of these players upon their return. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to quantify the impact of ACL reconstruction on the statistical performance of collegiate football players. We hypothesized that statistical performance would vary by position and that running backs, wide receivers, and defensive backs, compared with preinjury and controls, would experience the largest decline in performance after returning from ACL reconstruction. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) football players who experienced ACL tears between the years 2010 and 2015 were identified. The rates of return to play after surgery were determined for each position. Preinjury and postoperative performance statistics of each running back, receiver, defensive lineman, linebacker, and defensive back who met inclusion criteria were compared. A t-test analysis was used to compare the performance changes experienced by these players versus the performance changes of matched controls. Results: A total of 349 players were identified. Only 63.64% of eligible offensive linemen returned to play. Upon return, running backs experienced significant performance decreases compared with controls in carries (mean ± SD, –2.4 ± 2.7 vs 2.8 ± 1.6; P = .003), yards (–12.3 ± 15.5 vs 13.8 ± 7.8; P = .006), and receptions (–0.22 ± 0.32 vs 0.32 ± 0.23; P = .011) per game. Receivers displayed significant performance decreases compared with controls in number of touchdowns (–0.019 ± 0.110 vs 0.18 ± 0.06; P = .004), receptions (–0.11 ± 0.79 vs 1.2 ± 0.4; P = .004), and yards (–3.2 ± 10.6 vs 18.6 ± 5.4; P = .0009) per game. Linebackers demonstrated less improvement than controls in tackles for loss (0.007 ± 0.115 vs 0.31 ± 0.11; P = .0003) and sacks (0.001 ± 0.061 vs 0.10 ± 0.06; P = .026). Conclusion: Although offensive linemen were the least likely to return to play, running backs and receivers returned to play at a lower level of performance. The performance of defensive players was less affected by ACL reconstruction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 1682-1688
Author(s):  
Robert Longstaffe ◽  
Jeff Leiter ◽  
Tanner Gurney-Dunlop ◽  
Robert McCormack ◽  
Peter MacDonald

Background: For many athletes, a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) represents a significant injury that requires a prolonged period away from the sport with substantial rehabilitation. Hypothesis: There will be no difference in return to play (RTP) and career length after hamstring tendon (HT) ACL reconstruction in a group of Canadian Football League professional players as compared with what has been already been reported in the literature among professional football players. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Data on athletes who sustained an ACL injury were collected by team physicians and head athletic trainers from 2002 to 2017 from 2 Canadian Football League teams. Patient details included age at the time of injury, initial injury date, position, practice versus game injury, and primary versus rerupture with injury-specific data, such as affected limb, concomitant injuries, graft choice, and procedure performed. RTP rates and career length data were collected through publically available internet sources. Comparisons between the non-RTP and RTP groups were made with independent-sample t tests. Binomial logistic regression was performed to determine variables (ie, games preinjury, graft type, meniscal injury, collateral ligament injury) that contributed to players not being able to RTP. Results: A total of 44 ACL reconstructions were performed over the study period (HT, n = 32 [72.7%]; bone–patellar tendon–bone [BPTB], n = 8 [18.2%]; allograft, n = 4 [9.1%]). Overall, 69.8% (n = 30) were able to RTP in at least 1 game, while 30.2% (n = 13) did not return. Mean time to return was 316.1 days (range, 220-427 days), or 10.4 months. For those players who did RTP, mean career length after ACL reconstruction was 2.8 seasons, or 34.4 games. The majority (56.8%) of injuries occurred early in the season. Breakdown by graft type demonstrated RTP rates among HT, BPTB, and allograft of 64.5% (n = 20), 87.5% (n = 7), and 75% (n = 3), respectively. Career length among HT, BPTB, and allograft was 2.9, 2.4, and 3 seasons. Logistic regression analysis found only concomitant medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries to be a negative predictor for RTP. Meniscal injuries were associated with a decreased RTP rate and career length, but this was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The RTP rates after ACL reconstruction in this study are similar to those reported in National Football League players. A concomitant injury to the MCL injury was a negative predictor of RTP. Meniscal injuries demonstrated a trend for decreased RTP rate and career length, but this was not a significant predictor. A large portion of injuries occur early in the season, and further study should be done to examine potential preventative strategies to reduce ACL injuries.


2021 ◽  
pp. 194173812110049
Author(s):  
Riann M. Palmieri-Smith ◽  
Michael T. Curran ◽  
Steven A. Garcia ◽  
Chandramouli Krishnan

Background: Biomechanical knee asymmetry is commonly present after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Factors that could assist in identification of asymmetrical biomechanics after ACL reconstruction could help clinicians in making return-to-play decisions. The purpose of this study is to determine factors that may contribute to knee biomechanical asymmetry present after ACL reconstruction. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that quadriceps strength and activation and patient-reported function would allow for identification of patients with symmetrical knee biomechanics. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: Thirty-one subjects (18 women; time since ACL reconstruction = 284.4 ± 53.6 days) who underwent ACL reconstruction and were to return to activity were recruited. Participants completed bilateral assessments of isokinetic quadriceps strength, quadriceps activation using the superimposed burst technique, and biomechanical function testing during a single-leg forward hop. The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee form was also completed. Symmetry values were calculated for each variable. Decision trees were utilized to determine which input factors (quadriceps strength symmetry, quadriceps activation symmetry, IKDC score, age, sex, height, mass, graft type) were able to identify participants who had symmetrical knee flexion angles (KFAs) and extension moments. Angles and moments were considered symmetrical if symmetry values were ≥90%. Results: Quadriceps strength and activation symmetry were able to predict whether a patient landed with symmetrical or asymmetrical KFAs, with thresholds of 77.2% strength symmetry and 91.3% activation symmetry being established. Patient-reported function and quadriceps strength were factors that allowed for classification of participants with symmetrical/asymmetrical knee extension moments, with thresholds of 89.1 for the IKDC and 80.0% for quadriceps strength symmetry. Conclusions: Quadriceps strength contributed to both models and appears to be a critical factor for achieving symmetrical knee biomechanics. High patient-reported function and quadriceps activation are also important for restoring knee biomechanical symmetry after ACL reconstruction. Clinical Relevance: Quadriceps strength and activation and patient-reported function may be able to assist clinicians in identifying ACL patients with symmetrical/asymmetrical knee biomechanics.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 232596712098164
Author(s):  
Steven F. DeFroda ◽  
Devan D. Patel ◽  
John Milner ◽  
Daniel S. Yang ◽  
Brett D. Owens

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in National Basketball Association (NBA) players can have a significant impact on player longevity and performance. Current literature reports a high rate of return to play, but there are limited data on performance after ACL reconstruction (ACLR). Purpose/Hypothesis: To determine return to play and player performance in the first and second seasons after ACLR in NBA players. We hypothesized that players would return at a high rate. However, we also hypothesized that performance in the first season after ACLR would be worse as compared with the preinjury performance, with a return to baseline by postoperative year 2. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: An online database of NBA athlete injuries between 2010 and 2019 was queried using the term ACL reconstruction. For the included players, the following data were recorded: name; age at injury; position; height, weight, and body mass index; handedness; NBA experience; dates of injury, surgery, and return; knee affected; and postoperative seasons played. Regular season statistics for 1 preinjury season and 2 postoperative seasons were compiled and included games started and played, minutes played, and player efficiency rating. Kaplan-Meier survivorship plots were computed for athlete return-to-play and retirement endpoints. Results: A total of 26 athletes underwent ACLR; of these, 84% (95% CI, 63.9%-95.5%) returned to play at a mean 372.5 days (95% CI, 323.5-421.5 days) after surgery. Career length after injury was a mean of 3.36 seasons (95% CI, 2.27-4.45 seasons). Factors that contributed to an increased probability of return to play included younger age at injury (odds ratio, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.47-0.92]; P = .0337) and fewer years of experience in the NBA before injury (odds ratio, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.45-0.93]; P = .0335). Postoperatively, athletes played a significantly lower percentage of total games in the first season (48.4%; P = .0004) and second season (62.1%; P = .0067) as compared with the preinjury season (78.5%). Player efficiency rating in the first season was 19.3% less than that in the preinjury season ( P = .0056). Performance in the second postoperative season was not significantly different versus preinjury. Conclusion: NBA players have a high rate of RTP after ACLR. However, it may take longer than a single season for elite NBA athletes to return to their full preinjury performance. Younger players and those with less NBA experience returned at higher rates.


2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652110273
Author(s):  
Joshua S. Everhart ◽  
Sercan Yalcin ◽  
Kurt P. Spindler

Background: Several long-term (≥20 years) follow-up studies after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction have been published in recent years, allowing for a systematic evaluation of outcomes. Purpose: To summarize outcomes at ≥20 years after ACL reconstruction and identify patient and surgical factors that affect these results. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Prospective studies of primary ACL reconstructions with hamstring or bone–patellar tendon—bone (BTB) autograft via an arthroscopic or a mini-open technique and with a mean follow-up of ≥20 years were identified. When possible, the mean scores for each outcome measure were calculated. Factors identified in individual studies as predictive of outcomes were described. Results: Five studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria with a total of 2012 patients. The pooled mean follow-up for patient-reported outcome measures was 44.2% (range, 29.6%-92.7%) and in-person evaluation was 33.2% (range, 29.6%-48.9%). Four studies (n = 584) reported graft tears at a mean rate of 11.8% (range, 2%-18.5%) and 4 studies (n = 773) reported a contralateral ACL injury rate of 12.2% (range, 5.8%-30%). Repeat non-ACL arthroscopic surgery (4 studies; n = 177) to the ipsilateral knee occurred in 10.4% (range, 9.5%-18.3%) and knee arthroplasty (1 study; n = 217) in 5%. The pooled mean of the International Knee Documentation Committee subjective knee function (IKDC) score was 79.1 (SD, 21.8 [3 studies; n = 644]). In 2 studies (n?= 221), 57.5% of patients continued to participate in strenuous activities. The IKDC-objective score was normal or nearly normal in 82.3% (n = 496; 3 studies), with low rates of clinically significant residual laxity. Moderate-severe radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) (IKDC grade C or D) was present in 25.9% of patients (n = 605; 3 studies). Medial meniscectomy is associated with increased risk of radiographic OA. Radiographic OA severity is associated with worse patient-reported knee function, but the association with knee pain is unclear. Conclusion: Currently available prospective evidence for ACL reconstruction with hamstring or BTB autograft provides several insights into outcomes at 20 years. The rates of follow-up at 20 years range from 30% to 93%. IKDC-objective scores were normal or nearly normal in 82% and the mean IKDC-subjective score was 79 points.


2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (10) ◽  
pp. 2501-2509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avinesh Agarwalla ◽  
Richard N. Puzzitiello ◽  
Joseph N. Liu ◽  
Gregory L. Cvetanovich ◽  
Anirudh K. Gowd ◽  
...  

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are one of the most common traumatic knee injuries experienced by athletes. Return to sport is considered the pinnacle endpoint among patients receiving ACL reconstruction. However, at the time of return to sport, patients may not be participating at their previous levels of function, as defined by clinical metrics. Purpose: To establish when patients perceive maximal subjective medical improvement according to patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: A systematic review of the PubMed database was conducted to identify studies that reported sequential PROMs up to a minimum of 2 years after ACL reconstruction. Pooled analysis was conducted for PROMs at follow-up points of 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. Clinically significant improvement was determined between pairs of intervals with the minimal clinically important difference. Results: This review contains 30 studies including 2253 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction. Clinically significant improvement in the KOOS (Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score) was seen up to 1 year after ACL reconstruction, but no clinical significance was noted from 1 to 2 years. Clinically significant improvement in the IKDC (International Knee Documentation Committee) and Lysholm questionnaires was seen up to 6 months postoperatively, but no clinical significance was noted beyond that. Conclusion: After ACL reconstruction, maximal subjective medical improvement is established 1 year postoperatively, with no further perceived clinical improvement beyond this time point according to current PROMs. The KOOS may be a more responsive metric to subjective improvements in this patient cohort than other patient-reported outcomes, such as the IKDC and Lysholm. Clinical Relevance: After ACL reconstruction, patients perceive interval subjective improvements until 1 year postoperatively.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 232596711877450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth J. Scott ◽  
Robert Westermann ◽  
Nathalie A. Glass ◽  
Carolyn Hettrich ◽  
Brian R. Wolf ◽  
...  

Background: The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) is designed to advance patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments by utilizing question banks for major health domains. Purpose: To compare the responsiveness and construct validity of the PROMIS physical function computer adaptive test (PF CAT) with current PRO instruments for patients before and up to 2 years after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Initially, 157 patients completed the PROMIS PF CAT, Short Form–36 Health Survey (SF-36 physical function [PF] and general health [GH]), Marx Activity Rating Scale (MARS), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS activities of daily living [ADL], sport, and quality of life [QOL]), and EuroQol–5 dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D) at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 2 years after ACL reconstruction. Correlations between instruments, ceiling and floor effects, effect sizes (Cohen d), and standardized response means to describe responsiveness were evaluated. Subgroup analyses compared participants with and without additional arthroscopic procedures using linear mixed models. Results: At baseline, 6 weeks, and 6 months, the PROMIS PF CAT showed excellent or excellent-good correlations with the SF-36 PF ( r = 0.75-0.80, P < .01), KOOS-ADL ( r = 0.63-0.70, P < .01), and KOOS-sport ( r = 0.32-0.69, P < .01); excellent-good correlation with the EQ-5D ( r = 0.60-0.71, P < .01); and good correlation with the KOOS-QOL ( r = 0.52-0.58, P < .01). As expected, there were poor correlations with the MARS ( r = 0.00-0.24, P < .01) and SF-36 GH ( r = 0.16-0.34, P < .01 ). At 2 years, the PROMIS PF CAT showed good to excellent correlations with all PRO instruments ( r = 0.42-0.72, P < .01), including the MARS ( r = 0.42, P < .01), indicating frequent return to preinjury function. The PROMIS PF CAT had the fewest ceiling or floor effects of all instruments tested, and patients answered, on average, 4 questions. There was no significant difference in baseline physical function scores between subgroups; at follow-up, all groups showed improvements in scores that were not statistically different. Conclusion: The PROMIS PF CAT is a valid tool to assess outcomes after ACL reconstruction up to 2 years after surgery, demonstrating the highest responsiveness to change with the fewest ceiling and floor effects and a low time burden among all instruments tested. The PROMIS PF CAT is a beneficial alternative for assessing physical function in adults before and after ACL reconstruction.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (14) ◽  
pp. 3353-3360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney C.H. Lai ◽  
Julian A. Feller ◽  
Kate E. Webster

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury has been a major cause of missed game time among Australian Football League (AFL) players. Return to play after ACL reconstruction is not always achieved, even among elite athletes. The rate of subsequent ACL injury in the AFL from 1990 to 2000 was high as compared with that of other elite sports. Purpose: To determine the rates of return to play and subsequent ACL injury after ACL reconstruction among AFL players from 1999 to 2013 and to explore factors associated with differing rates of return to play and subsequent ACL injury. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A total of 158 AFL players who underwent ACL reconstruction were identified from a prospectively maintained registry of AFL player injuries. Further data were gathered from official playing statistics, surgical records, and structured phone interviews. Results: The rate of return to play after an initial ACL injury was 77% (121 of 158 players). Greater preinjury playing experience and earlier selection in the AFL draft were associated with higher rates of return to play. The rate of subsequent ACL injury to either knee was 30% (48 of 158 players) and was especially high among players aged <21 years (23 of 46 players, 50%). After subsequent ACL injury, 34 of 48 players (71%) returned to play. In primary ACL reconstruction, the use of Ligament Augmentation and Reconstruction System grafts resulted in a faster return to play ( P = .001) but had a higher risk of subsequent revision reconstruction (risk ratio = 2.8, P = .048). Family history of ACL injury was associated with an increased risk of subsequent contralateral ACL injury (risk ratio = 3.8, P = .002). Conclusion: Most AFL players who underwent ACL reconstruction returned to play at least 1 AFL match. The high rate of subsequent ACL injury among AFL players demonstrates the highly demanding nature of Australian football, particularly at the elite level. The risk factors for subsequent ACL injury should be considered carefully when treatment and rehabilitation decisions are made for these high-demand athletes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (12) ◽  
pp. 2962-2969
Author(s):  
Frans J.A. Hagemans ◽  
Freerk J. Jonkers ◽  
Matthijs J.J. van Dam ◽  
Amber L. von Gerhardt ◽  
Jelle P. van der List

Background: The short-term outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with bone–patellar tendon–bone or hamstring tendon (HT) graft are excellent with good clinical stability and patient-reported outcomes. Although some studies have reported the long-term outcomes of bone–patellar tendon–bone graft ACL reconstruction, few have reported the outcomes of HT graft ACL reconstruction. Purpose: To assess clinical and radiographic outcomes of HT graft ACL reconstruction with femoral cortical button fixation at a minimum 20-year follow-up. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A prospective study was performed in which all patients undergoing isolated transtibial primary ACL reconstruction between 1994 and 1996 with HT graft and femoral cortical button fixation were assessed clinically and radiographically. Follow-up was obtained in 48 of 94 patients (51%). Median (interquartile range) age at operation was 31 years (26-39 years); median follow-up was 21 years (20-22 years); 65% were male; and 48% had meniscal injury at surgery and underwent partial meniscectomy. Graft rupture, reoperation, and contralateral injury rates were assessed; clinical stability was measured using the KT-1000 arthrometer; patient-reported outcomes were assessed (International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC], Lysholm, Forgotten Joint Score, Tegner activity, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS], Anterior Cruciate Ligament Quality of Life [ACL-QOL], EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level [EQ-5D-5L]); and radiographic osteoarthritis (defined as Kellgren-Lawrence grade ≥2) was assessed for the ipsilateral and the contralateral knee. Results: Graft rupture occurred in 4 patients (8%), contralateral injury in 4 patients (8%), and reoperation in 15 patients (31%), which consisted mainly of meniscal tears or hardware removal. In patients with an intact graft, excellent patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were noted, with a median Lysholm of 90 (78-100), subjective IKDC of 86 (72-95), and KOOS–Sports of 86 (58-100). There was low awareness of the operated knee (Forgotten Joint Score, 81 [60-96]) and good quality of life (ACL-QOL, 85 [75-94]; EQ-5D-5L, 0.87 [0.83-1.00]). Median side-to-side difference, as measured with the KT-1000 arthrometer, was 1 mm (-1 to 3 mm). Radiographic osteoarthritis was evident in 49% of ipsilateral and 10% of contralateral knees and was associated with meniscectomy at index surgery and decreased PROMs at follow-up. Conclusion: Long-term outcomes of transtibial HT graft ACL reconstruction with femoral cortical button fixation are generally good with a low failure rate, low awareness of the operated knee, and good clinical stability. Radiographic osteoarthritis was evident in approximately half of the patients at 20-year follow-up and was associated with meniscectomy at index surgery and decreased PROMs at follow-up.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 232596712096448
Author(s):  
Junya Aizawa ◽  
Kenji Hirohata ◽  
Shunsuke Ohji ◽  
Takehiro Ohmi ◽  
Hideyuki Koga ◽  
...  

Background: High psychological readiness is an important element for returning to sports after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Identifying factors that contribute to psychological readiness is essential for planning interventions to return to play. No studies have used multivariate analysis to clarify factors associated with psychological readiness to return to specific sports. Hypothesis: To identify factors that contribute to an athlete’s psychological readiness to return after ACL reconstruction to sports that require cutting, pivoting, and jump-landings. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Study participants were athletes who before injury had participated in sports with limited contact that required cutting, pivoting, and jump-landings (basketball, soccer, futsal, volleyball, badminton, tennis, and frisbee) and hoped to return to the same sport after reconstruction. Psychological readiness was measured using the Anterior Cruciate Ligament–Return to Sport After Injury Scale (ACL-RSI) in athletes more than 6 months after primary ACL reconstruction. To clarify factors associated with the ACL-RSI, univariate regression analysis and multivariate regression analysis were performed using the following independent variables: age, sex, body mass index, time from injury to reconstruction, time from reconstruction to testing, meniscal surgery, modified Tegner activity scale before injury, kinesiophobia, limb symmetry index of knee strength, limb symmetry indices of single-leg hop (SLH) distances, and subjective running ability. Results: Higher subjective running ability, a lower kinesiophobia score, and greater limb symmetry in the lateral SLH were positively associated with psychological readiness. Conclusion: The psychological readiness of athletes aiming to return after ACL reconstruction to limited-contact sports that require cutting, pivoting, and jump-landings was affected by subjective running ability, kinesiophobia, and asymmetry of lateral SLH distance. This information may be useful in planning appropriate interventions and thereby increasing the likelihood of an athlete’s returning to such sports.


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