The effects of age and gender on the quality of life after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Introduction. The aim of the study was to determine whether there is was statistically significant difference in patients of different age and gender regarding quality of life and causes of postoperative knee instability after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Material and Methods. The study included 776 subjects, aged 15 to 59 (average age 27 years), who we divided into groups by age and gender. All volunteered to complete the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score questionnaire. We examined the postoperative instability using clinical tests in order to determine its causes and incidence among the groups of patients. Results and Discussion. The average values related to pain during sports activities were the highest in the youngest group of patients, up to 18 years of age (81 points). Postoperative instability was reported by 27 patients (3.5%), more frequently by males. Among the causes of instability, the most common was a new sports injury, in 11 cases (40%), and inappropriate tunnel positioning in 7 (26%). The highest incidence of postoperative instability was found in the youngest group of patients, under the age of 18 years, (5%), and no such cases were found in patients aged over 41 years. Conclusion. There was no statistically significant correlation between the quality of life of younger and older patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, but there were differences in individual segments of the questionnaire. Postoperative instability was not common, but it was more common in males and in the youngest examinees. Inappropriate tunnel positioning and new sport injuries were the most common reasons for dissatisfaction after the primary surgery.