scholarly journals RETURN TO PLAY AFTER ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 478-486
Author(s):  
Rodrigo A. Goes ◽  
Victor R. A. Cossich ◽  
Bráulio R. França ◽  
André Siqueira Campos ◽  
Gabriel Garcez A. Souza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Knee Injuries ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Joint Stability ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Strength Assessment ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

ABSTRACT The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear represents more than half of all knee injuries in sports that involve body rotations and sudden changes of direction. Discharging the athlete for return to play (RTP) post-ACL reconstruction (ACLR) is a difficult task with multidisciplinary responsibility. For many years, a six-month period post-ACLR was adopted as the only criterion for RTP. However, it is now suggested that RTP should not be exclusively time-based, but to clinical data and systematic assessments. Despite the importance of post-ACLR factors for RTP, pre- and peri-ACLR factors must also be considered. Historically, ACLR is performed with the hamstring or autologous patellar tendons, although the choice of graft is still an open and constantly evolving theme. Anterolateral ligament reconstruction and repair of meniscal ramp tear associated with ACLR have recently been suggested as strategies for improving knee joint stability. Subjective questionnaires are easy to apply, and help identify physical or psychological factors that can hamper RTP. Functional tests, such as hop tests and strength assessment by means of isokinetic dynamometers, are fundamental tools for decision making when associated with clinical evaluation and magnetic resonance imaging. Recently, the capacity to generate force explosively has been incorporated into the muscle strength assessment. This is quantified through the rate of torque development (RTD). Due to characteristics inherent to the practice of sport, there is an extremely short time available for produce strength. Thus, RTD seems to better represent athletic demands than the maximum strength assessment alone. This review investigates the pre-, peri- and post-ACLR factors established in the literature, and shares our clinical practice, which we consider to be best practice for RTP. Level of evidence V; Specialist opinion.

scholarly journals STRONGER THAN EVER! ADOLESCENT ATHLETES SHOW STRENGTH GAINS WITHIN THE UNINJURED LEG AFTER ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7_suppl3) ◽  
pp. 2325967121S0005
Author(s):  
Elliot Greenberg ◽  
Joshua Bram ◽  
Theodore Ganley
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Cohort Analysis ◽  
Peak Torque ◽  
Quadriceps Strength ◽  
Strength Assessment ◽  
Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Background: The restoration of quadriceps strength after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is critical to restore optimal patient function and reduce the incidence of secondary ACL injury. Strength is typically quantified during return to sport assessments, by comparing the strength in the involved limb to that of the uninvolved limb. A limb symmetry index (LSI) is calculated and used to determine if any residual strength deficits persist. Recent evidence demonstrates that the uninvolved limb may lose strength during ACLR recovery and suggests that pre-operative uninvolved limb strength values may offer a better representation and more stringent indicator of strength recovery after ACLR. However, this body of literature is limited and no studies have specifically evaluated this occurrence within youth athletes. Purpose: To evaluate the change in strength in the uninvolved limb from pre-operative to 6 months post-ACLR, and assess the effect of pre-operative strength comparison on 6-month post-op LSI. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis of pediatric patients (≤18 years) undergoing primary ACLR from 1/2018-1/2020 without concomitant multi-ligamentous reconstruction was conducted. Isokinetic peak torque values for the uninvolved and involved quadriceps were extracted at pre-operative (uninvolved only) and 6 months post-operative. Strength changes were analyzed using paired-samples t-test. Results: Complete data was available for a total of 17 subjects (mean age 15.1±1.7, 53% female). Pre-operative strength assessment was performed a mean of 11.5 days (range 1-26) prior to surgery. The mean 6-month post-operative assessment occurred at 177 days (range 127-246). The uninvolved limb was significantly stronger (p<0.001) at 6 months compared to preoperatively, with a mean improvement of 12.1ft/lbs (95%CI 18.3 – 7.2) with a change from 82.4ft/lbs to 95.1 ft/lbs. The LSI was calculated using both pre-operative and 6-month post-operative uninvolved limb values and demonstrated substantially lower LSI values when using concurrent 6-month data (LSIpre 91.3% vs LSI6M 76.9%). Conclusions: Among this sample, the uninvolved limb got stronger during post-ACLR recovery and comparison to concurrently assessed strength values led to a more stringent determination of LSI. Differences in rehabilitation programming, adolescent physiology, and pre-injury training patterns may explain why these results differ than those found in older cohorts.

Performance-Based Outcomes After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Professional Athletes Differ Between Sports

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 2226-2232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry T. Mai ◽  
Danielle S. Chun ◽  
Andrew D. Schneider ◽  
Brandon J. Erickson ◽  
Ryan D. Freshman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
National Football League ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
The Other ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Professional Athletes ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Performance Statistics ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Background: Excellent outcomes have been reported for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) in professional athletes in a number of different sports. However, no study has directly compared these outcomes between sports. Purpose: To determine if differences in performance-based outcomes exist after ACLR between professional athletes of each sport. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), National Hockey League (NHL), and Major League Baseball (MLB) athletes undergoing primary ACLR for an acute rupture were identified through an established protocol of injury reports and public archives. Sport-specific performance statistics were collected before and after surgery for each athlete. Return to play (RTP) was defined as a successful return to the active roster for at least 1 regular-season game after ACLR. Results: Of 344 professional athletes who met the inclusion criteria, a total of 298 (86.6%) returned to play. NHL players had a significantly higher rate of RTP (95.8% vs 83.4%, respectively; P = .04) and a shorter recovery time (258 ± 110 days vs 367 ± 268 days, respectively; P < .001) than athletes in all the other sports. NFL athletes experienced significantly shorter careers postoperatively than players in all the other sports (2.1 vs 3.2 years, respectively; P < .001). All athletes played fewer games ( P ≤ .02) 1 season postoperatively, while those in the NFL had the lowest rate of active players 2 and 3 seasons postoperatively (60%; P = .002). NBA and NFL players showed decreased performance at season 1 after ACLR ( P ≤ .001). NFL players continued to have lower performance at seasons 2 and 3 ( P = .002), while NBA players recovered to baseline performance. Conclusion: The data indicate that NFL athletes fare the worst after ACLR with the lowest survival rate, shortest postoperative career length, and sustained decreases in performance. NHL athletes fare the best with the highest rates of RTP, highest survival rates, longest postoperative career lengths, and no significant changes in performance. The unique physical demand that each sport requires is likely one of the explanations for these differences in outcomes.

scholarly journals Factors Affecting Subjective and Objective Outcomes and Return to Play in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Joints ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 06 (01) ◽  
pp. 023-032 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Rosso ◽  
Davide Bonasia ◽  
Umberto Cottino ◽  
Simone Cambursano ◽  
Federico Dettoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Anterior Cruciate ◽  
Objective Outcomes ◽  
Subjective Outcomes

Purpose To analyze the prognostic factors influencing subjective and objective outcomes and return to play (RTP) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R). Methods Primary ACL-Rs using a transtibial technique performed between 2008 and 2012 were included. Data regarding patients, surgery, sports, and rehabilitation, including an on-field rehabilitation (OFR) and duration of the rehabilitation program, were collected. The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective and objective evaluation forms, and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and Lysholm questionnaires were used for the assessment of subjective and objective outcomes. The Subjective Patient Outcome for Return to Sports and ACL–return to sport after injury (RSI) scores were used for RTP evaluation. Several potential predictors of outcome were tested with a univariate analysis. All the variables with p < 0.1 were retested in a logistic regression model to evaluate their association with the outcomes. Results In total, 176 cases were included with an average follow-up of 44.1 months. Of the patients, 92.2% were rated as normal or nearly normal at the IKDC evaluation. In addition, 90.1% of the patients returned to sport, with 57.6% returning to the same preinjury level. Objective outcomes were negatively influenced by late rehabilitation (odds ratio [OR] = 2.75). Performing an OFR phase during the rehabilitation was associated with better subjective outcomes (OR = 2.71). Length of rehabilitation strongly influenced the RTP rate (OR = 13.16). Conversely, higher ACL-RSI score was inversely related to RTP. Objective IKDC score was inversely related to the ACL-RSI (OR = 0.31), whereas subjective score was correlated with both the total ACL-RSI score (OR = 0.15) and the level of activity (OR = 0.20). Conclusion This study confirmed the role of rehabilitation on subjective and objective outcomes and on RTP. Particularly, the complete adherence to a rehabilitation program, including an OFR phase, resulted in better subjective outcomes and higher RTP rate. The relationship between psychological factors, measured through the ACL-RSI score, and RTP was confirmed. Level of Evidence Level III, observational study without a control group.

scholarly journals Bioaugmentation in the surgical treatment of anterior cruciate ligament injuries: A review of current concepts and emerging techniques

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 205031212092105
Author(s):  
Austin MacFarland Looney ◽  
Joseph Daniel Leider ◽  
Andrew Ryan Horn ◽  
Blake Michael Bodendorfer
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Return To Sport ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries ◽  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Injuries involving the anterior cruciate ligament are among the most common athletic injuries, and are the most common involving the knee. The anterior cruciate ligament is a key translational and rotational stabilizer of the knee joint during pivoting and cutting activities. Traditionally, surgical intervention in the form of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has been recommended for those who sustain an anterior cruciate ligament rupture and wish to remain active and return to sport. The intra-articular environment of the anterior cruciate ligament makes achieving successful healing following repair challenging. Historically, results following repair were poor, and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction emerged as the gold-standard for treatment. While earlier literature reported high rates of return to play, the results of more recent studies with longer follow-up have suggested that anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction may not be as successful as once thought: fewer athletes are able to return to sport at their preinjury level, and many still go on to develop osteoarthritis of the knee at a relatively younger age. The four principles of tissue engineering (cells, growth factors, scaffolds, and mechanical stimuli) combined in various methods of bioaugmentation have been increasingly explored in an effort to improve outcomes following surgical treatment of anterior cruciate ligament injuries. Newer technologies have also led to the re-emergence of anterior cruciate ligament repair as an option for select patients. The different biological challenges associated with anterior cruciate ligament repair and reconstruction each present unique opportunities for targeted bioaugmentation strategies that may eventually lead to better outcomes with better return-to-play rates and fewer revisions.

scholarly journals Different anterolateral procedures have variable impact on knee kinematics and stability when performed in combination with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

2020 ◽  
pp. jisakos-2019-000360
Author(s):  
Thomas Neri ◽  
Danè Dabirrahmani ◽  
Aaron Beach ◽  
Samuel Grasso ◽  
Sven Putnis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Knee Kinematics ◽  
Rotational Laxity ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Anterior Cruciate ◽  
Deficient Knee ◽  
Intact Knee

ObjectiveThe optimal anterolateral procedure to control anterolateral rotational laxity of the knee is still unknown. The objective was to compare the ability of five anterolateral procedures performed in combination with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) to restore native knee kinematics in the setting of a deficient anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and anterolateral structures.MethodsA controlled laboratory study was performed using 10 fresh-frozen cadaveric whole lower limbs with intact iliotibial band. Kinematics from 0° to 90° of flexion were recorded using a motion analysis three-dimensional (3D) optoelectronic system, allowing assessment of internal rotation (IR) and anteroposterior (AP) tibial translation at 30° and 90° of flexion. Joint centres and bony landmarks were calculated from 3D bone models obtained from CT scans. Intact knee kinematics were assessed initially, followed by sequential section of the ACL and anterolateral structures (anterolateral ligament, anterolateral capsule and Kaplan fibres). After ACLR, five anterolateral procedures were performed consecutively on the same knee: ALLR, modified Ellison, deep Lemaire, superficial Lemaire and modified MacIntosh. The last three procedures were randomised. For each procedure, the graft was fixed in neutral rotation at 30° of flexion and with a tension of 20 N.ResultsIsolated ACLR did not restore normal overall knee kinematics in a combined ACL plus anterolateral-deficient knee, leaving a residual tibial rotational laxity (p=0.034). Only the ALLR (p=0.661) and modified Ellison procedure (p=0.641) restored overall IR kinematics to the normal intact state. Superficial and deep Lemaire and modified MacIntosh tenodeses overconstrained IR, leading to shifted and different kinematics compared with the intact condition (p=0.004, p=0.001 and p=0.045, respectively). Compared with ACLR state, addition of an anterolateral procedure did not induce any additional control on AP translation at 30° and 90° of flexion (all p>0.05), except for the superficial Lemaire procedure at 90° (p=0.032).ConclusionIn biomechanical in vitro setting, a comparison of five anterolateral procedures revealed that addition of either ALLR or modified Ellison procedure restored overall native knee kinematics in a combined ACL plus anterolateral-deficient knee. Superficial and deep Lemaire and modified MacIntosh tenodeses achieved excellent rotational control but overconstrained IR, leading to a change from intact knee kinematics.Level of evidenceThe level-of-evidence statement does not apply for this laboratory experiments study.

scholarly journals How Much Do Psychological Factors Affect Lack of Return to Play After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction? A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 232596711984531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedict U. Nwachukwu ◽  
Joshua Adjei ◽  
Ryan C. Rauck ◽  
Jorge Chahla ◽  
Kelechi R. Okoroha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Return To Sport ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Background: Variables affecting return to sport after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) are multifactorial. The nonphysical factors germane to successful return to play (RTP) are being increasingly recognized. Purpose: To (1) evaluate the available evidence base for psychological factors relating to RTP after ACLR, (2) identify psychological factors affecting RTP after ACLR, and (3) understand currently available metrics used to assess psychological RTP readiness. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A review of the MEDLINE database was performed for studies reporting RTP after ACLR. Studies reporting on the psychological determinants of RTP were included. Demographic, methodological, and psychometric properties of the included studies were extracted. Weighted analysis was performed after patients were pooled across included studies. Results: Of 999 studies identified in the initial search, 28 (2.8%) studies, comprising 2918 patients, were included; 19 studies (n = 2175 patients) reported RTP rates. The mean time for RTP was 17.2 months. There was a 63.4% rate of RTP, and 36.6% of patients returning to sport were not able to perform at their prior level of play. Of the 795 patients who did not achieve RTP, 514 (64.7%) cited a psychological reason for not returning. Fear of reinjury was the most common reason (n = 394; 76.7%); other psychological factors included lack of confidence in the treated knee (n = 76; 14.8%), depression (n = 29; 5.6%), and lack of interest/motivation (n = 13; 2.5%). The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the ACL–Return to Sport after Injury scale, and the Knee Self-Efficacy Scale were reported measures for assessing the influence of psychology on RTP. Conclusion: Psychological factors play an important role in RTP after ACLR. Among studies evaluating the impact of psychology on RTP, there was a delay in returning as well as lower RTP rates compared with the previously reported normative literature. Fear of reinjury was the most commonly reported impediment to RTP. The psychosocial measures identified in this review may have a role in RTP protocols for assessing mental resiliency; however, their roles need to be further investigated and validated in patients who have undergone ACLR.

scholarly journals CONTRALATERAL PATELLAR TENDON AUTOGRAFT IN ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-144
Author(s):  
PAULO LOBO JÚNIOR ◽  
EUGÊNIO DOS SANTOS NETO ◽  
JOSÉ HUMBERTO DE SOUZA BORGES ◽  
LUANA JUNQUEIRA RESENDE VOLPE DIAS ◽  
RONNY DE SOUZA MACHADO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Patellar Tendon ◽  
Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Anterior Cruciate ◽  
Tendon Autograft ◽  
Positive Results

ABSTRACT Objective: To conduct a systematic review of literature about the use of contralateral patellar tendon autograft in anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions and present the results. Methods: The LILACS, MEDLINE, Cochrane, PubMed, Scielo and Google Scholar databases were searched without date restrictions for the keywords “anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction” combined with “contralateral” in the article title. After the studies were identified, two independent evaluators collected the qualitative characteristics of the studies and classified them according to clinical outcomes of these grafts as positive, neutral, or negative. Results: A total of 755 articles were found initially, and after detailed evaluation of all references, followed by a screening process and assessment of quality, a total of 11 studies were determined to be eligible for inclusion in this systematic review. Of these, 72.72% were level II studies, the most common level of evidence among the results. Positive results for this type of graft were found in 63.63% of the studies. Conclusion: Based on the literature review, most of the included articles (63.63%) presented positive results for the use of contralateral patellar tendon grafts. Level of Evidence III; Systematic review.

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