scholarly journals Clinical Risk Profile for a Second Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury in Female Soccer Players After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652199910
Author(s):  
Anne Fältström ◽  
Joanna Kvist ◽  
Natalia F.N. Bittencourt ◽  
Luciana D. Mendonça ◽  
Martin Hägglund

Background: The risk of a second anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury when participating in pivoting sports after ACL reconstruction is high. Risk factors associated with a second ACL injury are complex. Purpose: To investigate the combinations of various clinical risk factors associated with second ACL injury in female soccer players with a primary unilateral ACL reconstruction, using Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A total of 117 active female soccer players (mean ± SD age, 20 ± 2 years) were included. Athletes were enrolled 19 ± 9 months after ACL reconstruction and were prospectively followed for 2 years. At baseline, all players underwent assessment of knee and ankle joint range of motion (ROM), participated in functional tests (postural control, hop performance, and movement asymmetries in the lower limbs and trunk), and answered questionnaires (patient-reported knee function, knee-related quality of life, psychological and personality factors). A clinical prediction model using CART was developed. Results: A total of 28 players (24%) sustained a second ACL injury (21 ipsilateral and 7 contralateral ruptures) while playing soccer. CART analysis selected 9 of 19 independent variables associated with second ACL injury: the 5-jump test, knee collapse on the non–ACL reconstructed leg in a drop vertical jump, tuck jump, limb symmetry index on side hop and the single hop for distance, side difference in ankle dorsiflexion ROM, and scores for the questionnaires ACL-Return to Sport After Injury and the Swedish Universities Scales of Personality subscales of Stress Susceptibility and Adventure Seeking. The accuracy of the model was 89%, with 100% sensitivity and 76% specificity. CART analysis indicated that the interaction of longer jumps in the 5-jump test (>916 cm) with more side difference in ankle dorsiflexion ROM (>–2.5°) and more knee valgus collapse in the nonreconstructed knee (>−1.4 cm) (relative risk, 4.03; 95% CI, 2.21-7.36) best predicted an increased likelihood of a second ACL injury. Conclusion: The risk profiles selected by CART could accurately identify female soccer players at high risk for a second ACL injury. There was an interaction between functional performance, clinical assessment, and psychological factors, and it is reasonable to include these factors in return-to-sport decisions and in athlete screening after ACL injury.

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 1209-1215 ◽  
Author(s):  
April L. McPherson ◽  
Julian A. Feller ◽  
Timothy E. Hewett ◽  
Kate E. Webster

Background: Lower psychological readiness to return to sport has been reported for younger patients (≤20 years) who go on to a second anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. However, changes in psychological readiness and specific psychological responses associated with second injury have not been identified. Purpose/Hypothesis: To identify changes in psychological readiness over time associated with a second ACL injury. It was hypothesized that younger patients who suffered a second injury would have smaller changes in psychological readiness to return to sport when compared with those who did not have a second injury. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Patients ≤20 years old at the time of surgery who had a primary ACL reconstruction procedure between June 2014 and June 2016 were recruited for this study. The short version of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Return to Sport After Injury (ACL-RSI) scale was completed by patients before their ACL reconstruction and repeated at 12 months after surgery to assess psychological readiness to return to sport. The primary outcome of interest was the relationship between the change in psychological readiness and second ACL injuries. Results: Among 115 young patients who returned to sport after ACL reconstruction, 21 (18%) experienced a second ACL injury. Injured patients did not show improvement in their ACL-RSI score between the preoperative assessment and 12-month time point (58.5 vs 60.8 points, P = .60) and had a significantly smaller change when compared with noninjured patients (9.2 vs 24.9 points, P = .01). When compared with the noninjured group, the injured group reported they were more nervous about playing sport, less confident in playing sport without concern for the knee, more frustrated with having to consider the knee with respect to sport, and more fearful of reinjuring the knee by playing sport ( P≤ .05). Conclusion: Injured patients exhibited less improvement in psychological readiness at a group level and reported different psychological characteristics with regard to return to sport at 12 months after ACL reconstruction as monitored by the ACL-RSI scale.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. 232596711881281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mansour Sadeqi ◽  
Shahnaz Klouche ◽  
Yoann Bohu ◽  
Serge Herman ◽  
Nicolas Lefevre ◽  
...  

Background: Successful return to sport after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction requires optimal physical and psychological recovery. The main validated tool to quantify a patient’s psychological readiness to return to sport after this surgery is the Anterior Cruciate Ligament–Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) scale. Purpose: The primary aim was to analyze the progression of the ACL-RSI score from preoperatively to 2-year follow-up. A secondary goal was to identify the factors associated with returning to the same preinjury sport. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: This prospective study included athletes older than 16 years in all sports and levels of play who underwent primary and revision isolated ACL reconstruction from 2012 to 2015 and responded to all study questionnaires at 2-year follow-up. The primary outcome was the ACL-RSI score obtained preoperatively and at 4-month, 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year follow-up. The secondary outcomes were return to sport (running and the same preinjury sport) and various functional scores. The optimal threshold value of the ACL-RSI score for returning to the same preinjury sport was determined with the receiver operating characteristic curve. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify other factors associated with returning to the same sport at 2-year follow-up. Results: A total of 681 patients were analyzed (467 men, 214 women; mean age, 30.2 ± 9.5 years); 298 (43.8%) patients were professional or competitive athletes. The ACL-RSI score improved significantly over time: 41.3 ± 25.4 preoperatively, 55.1 ± 21.3 at 4 months, 58.3 ± 22.3 at 6 months, 64.7 ± 24.2 at 1 year, and 65.2 ± 25.3 at 2 years ( P < .00001). At 2-year follow-up, 74.9% of patients had returned to running and 58.4% to their same preinjury sport. The ACL-RSI score was significantly higher in patients who had returned to sport and in those who returned to the same level of play or higher ( P < .00001). The optimal ACL-RSI score threshold to return to the same sport at 2-year follow-up was ≥65. Multivariate analysis showed that the predictive factors of returning to the same preinjury sport at 2-year follow-up were primary reconstruction, professional or competitive level of play, an ACL-RSI score ≥60 at 6-month follow-up, and the absence of postoperative complications. Conclusion: The psychological ACL-RSI score improved regularly after ACL reconstruction and was strongly and significantly associated with return to sport. Registration: NCT02511158 ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier)


2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652110444
Author(s):  
Anne Fältström ◽  
Joanna Kvist ◽  
Martin Hägglund

Background: A new anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury after ACL reconstruction is a feared outcome. Purpose: To study the risk of new knee injuries in female soccer players 5 to 10 years after primary unilateral ACL reconstruction and to compare players who returned to soccer with (1) players who did not return and (2) knee-healthy soccer players (controls). Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Demographic, soccer-specific, and surgical data were recorded at baseline for 317 female soccer players (mean ± SD age, 20.1 ± 2.7 years) 1.6 ± 0.7 years after ACL reconstruction and for 119 matched controls (mean age, 19.5 ± 2.5 years). Data on new knee injuries and soccer-playing status were collected 5 to 10 years after ACL reconstruction via a questionnaire. Results: Among players with ACL reconstruction, 222 (70%) responded at a mean 6.5 ± 1.0 years after primary ACL reconstruction. We compared 3 cohorts: (1) among 163 players with ACL reconstruction who returned to soccer, 68 (42%) sustained 44 reruptures and 29 contralateral ruptures; (2) among 59 players with ACL reconstruction who did not return to soccer, 11 (19%) sustained 9 reruptures and 2 contralateral ruptures; and (3) among 113 knee-healthy controls, 12 (11%) sustained 13 ACL injuries. Players who returned had a >2-fold higher risk of a new ACL injury than players who did not return (risk ratio, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.27-3.93; P = .005) and a 4-fold higher risk than controls (risk ratio, 3.93; 95% CI, 2.23-6.91; P <.001). A new ACL, meniscal, or cartilage injury was the most frequent new knee injury. Among players who returned to soccer, 68% reported a new knee injury, and they had a 2- to 5-times higher risk of any new knee injury and knee surgery than players who did not return and controls. Conclusion: Two-thirds of female soccer players with ACL reconstruction who returned to soccer sustained a new knee injury within 5 to 10 years; 42% had a new ACL injury. Their risk of a new knee injury and knee surgery was 2 to 5 times greater than that for players who did not return and for knee-healthy controls. New injury may have negative consequences for long-term knee health and should be a critical consideration in the decision to return to play.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (5_suppl5) ◽  
pp. 2325967117S0017
Author(s):  
TS Whitehead ◽  
JA Feller ◽  
KE Webster

Objective: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is generally regarded as a successful procedure, however only 65% of patients return to their pre-injury sport. While return to sport rates are likely higher in younger patients, there is a paucity of data on this topic. The purpose of this study was to investigate a range of return to sport outcomes in younger athletes who had undergone ACL reconstruction surgery. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study design. A group of 140 young patients (<20 years at surgery) who had one ACL reconstruction and no subsequent ACL injuries were surveyed regarding details of their sport participation at an average follow up of 5 years (range 3-7). Results: Overall, 76% of the young patient group returned to the same pre-injury sport. Return rates were higher for males than females (81% vs. 71% respectively, p>0.05). Of those who returned to their sport, 65% reported that they could perform as well as before the ACL injury and 66% were still currently playing in their respective sport. Young athletes who never returned to sport cited fear of a new injury (37%) or study/work commitments (30%) as the primary reasons. For those who had successfully returned to their pre-injury sport but subsequently stopped playing, the most common reason was study/work commitments (53%). At follow-up 48% of female patients were still participating in Level I sports as were 54% of males. Conclusions: A high percentage of younger patients return to their pre-injury sport following ACL reconstruction surgery. For this group who have not sustained a second ACL injury, the majority continue to play and are satisfied with their performance.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (7_suppl2) ◽  
pp. 2325967114S0003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark V. Paterno ◽  
Adam W. Kiefer ◽  
Scott H. Bonnette ◽  
Michael A. Riley ◽  
Laura Schmitt ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2325967113S0000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark V. Paterno ◽  
Mitchell Rauh ◽  
Laura C. Schmitt ◽  
Kevin R. Ford ◽  
Timothy E. Hewett

2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652110130
Author(s):  
Stefano Nuccio ◽  
Luciana Labanca ◽  
Jacopo Emanuele Rocchi ◽  
Pier Paolo Mariani ◽  
Paola Sbriccoli ◽  
...  

Background: The acute effects of exercise on anterior knee laxity (AKL) and anterior knee stiffness (AKS) have been documented in healthy participants, but only limited evidence has been provided for athletes cleared to return to sports after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR). Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to determine if 45 minutes of a soccer match simulation lead to acute changes in AKL and AKS in soccer players returning to sport within 12 months after ACLR. We hypothesized that the reconstructed knee of the ACLR group would exhibit an altered response to sport-specific exercise. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A total of 13 soccer players cleared to return to sport after ACLR and 13 healthy control soccer players matched for age, physical activity level, limb dominance, and anthropometric characteristics were recruited. To assess the effects of a standardized soccer match simulation (Soccer Aerobic Field Test [SAFT45]) on AKL and AKS, an arthrometric evaluation was carried out bilaterally before and immediately after SAFT45. To conduct a comprehensive examination of the force-displacement curve, the absolute and side-to-side difference (SSD) values of both AKL and AKS were extracted at 67, 134, and 200 N. Results: The ACLR and control groups showed similar AKL and AKS at baseline ( P > .05). In response to SAFT45, laxity increased bilaterally at all force levels by 14% to 17% only in the control group ( P < .025). Similarly, AKS at 134 and 200 N decreased in response to SAFT45 only in the control group (10.5% and 20.5%, respectively; P < .025). After SAFT45, the ACLR group had 1.9 and 2.5 times higher SSDs of AKS at 67 and 134 N compared with the control group, respectively ( P < .025), as well as a 1.9 times higher SSD of AKS at 134 N compared with baseline ( P = .014). Conclusion: Soccer players at the time of return to sport after ACLR showed an altered mechanical response to a sport-specific match simulation consisting of bilaterally unchanged AKL and AKS. Clinical Relevance: Soccer players showing altered AKL and AKS in response to exercise after ACLR may not be ready to sustain their preinjury levels of sport, thus potentially increasing the risk of second ACL injuries.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 2331
Author(s):  
Stefano Di Paolo ◽  
Nicola Francesco Lopomo ◽  
Francesco Della Villa ◽  
Gabriele Paolini ◽  
Giulio Figari ◽  
...  

The aim of the present study was to quantify joint kinematics through a wearable sensor system in multidirectional high-speed complex movements used in a protocol for rehabilitation and return to sport assessment after Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury, and to validate it against a gold standard optoelectronic marker-based system. Thirty-four healthy athletes were evaluated through a full-body wearable sensor (MTw Awinda, Xsens) and a marker-based optoelectronic (Vicon Nexus, Vicon) system during the execution of three tasks: drop jump, forward sprint, and 90° change of direction. Clinically relevant joint angles of lower limbs and trunk were compared through Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r), and the Coefficient of Multiple Correlation (CMC). An excellent agreement (r > 0.94, CMC > 0.96) was found for knee and hip sagittal plane kinematics in all the movements. A fair-to-excellent agreement was found for frontal (r 0.55–0.96, CMC 0.63–0.96) and transverse (r 0.45–0.84, CMC 0.59–0.90) plane kinematics. Movement complexity slightly affected the agreement between the systems. The system based on wearable sensors showed fair-to-excellent concurrent validity in the evaluation of the specific joint parameters commonly used in rehabilitation and return to sport assessment after ACL injury for complex movements. The ACL professionals could benefit from full-body wearable technology in the on-field rehabilitation of athletes.


2021 ◽  
pp. 194173812110253
Author(s):  
Christopher Kuenze ◽  
Katherine Collins ◽  
Karin Allor Pfeiffer ◽  
Caroline Lisee

Context: Return to sport is widely utilized by sports medicine researchers and clinicians as a primary outcome of interest for successful recovery when working with young patients who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR). While return-to-sport outcomes are effective at tracking progress post-ACLR, they are limited because they do not necessarily capture physical activity (PA) engagement, which is important to maintain knee joint health and reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases. Therefore, there is a critical need (1) to describe current PA participation and measurement recommendations; (2) to appraise common PA measurement approaches, including patient-reported outcomes and device-based methodologies; and (3) to provide clinical recommendations for future evaluation. Evidence Acquisition: Reports of patient-reported or device-based PA in patients with ACL injury were acquired and summarized based on a PubMed search (2000 through July 2020). Search terms included physical activity OR activity AND anterior cruciate ligament OR ACL. Study Design: Clinical review. Level of Evidence: Level 5. Results: We highlight that (1) individuals with ACLR are 2.36 times less likely to meet the US Department of Health and Human Services PA recommendations even when reporting successful return to sport, (2) common patient-reported PA assessments have significant limitations in the data that can be derived, and (3) alternative patient-reported and device-based assessments may provide improved assessment of PA in this patient population. Conclusion: Clinicians and researchers have relied on return to sport status or self-reported PA participation via surveys. These approaches are not consistent with current recommendations for PA assessment and do not allow for comparison with contemporary PA recommendations or guidelines. Return to sport, patient-reported outcome measures, and device-based assessment approaches should be used in complementary manners to comprehensively assess PA participation after ACLR. However, appropriate techniques should be used when assessing PA in adult and adolescent populations.


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