Post-traumatic osteoarthritis rates are similar in individuals with anterior cruciate ligament injury who receive surgical reconstruction and those who opt for non-surgical management, indicating continuing changes in knee biomechanics post-surgery. There is no gold standard rehabilitation strategy for the post-reconstruction patient, however investigating the biomechanics of the knee during rehabilitation exercises will drive the development of more efficacious rehabilitation paradigms. This systematic review aimed to synthesise biomechanical data from healthy participants and participants with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction during rehabilitation exercises to provide insights into knee biomechanical changes induced by injury and surgery.

A systematic literature search was conducted in Web of Science, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL and Scopus, using key terms relating to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, lower limb rehabilitation exercises, and knee biomechanics. 34 articles matching the inclusion criteria were identified following abstract and full text screening.

The included studies reported data on 607 healthy participants and 175 participants with an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction across five different exercises. Peak knee flexion angle was the most reported variable, whereas tibial anterior translation and adduction biomechanics were reported infrequently, despite their relevance to the ligament injury status.

There is limited biomechanical data of rehabilitation exercise in the knee, with the exception of knee flexion angles. Furthermore, variations in data collection and reporting methods across studies cause difficulties in systematic analysis of results and demonstrate inconsistent kinematic results between articles.

Players in the National Basketball Association (NBA) are at high risk for ACL tears which are detrimental to their career due to the months of rehabilitation. The authors hypothesize that after anterior crucial ligament (ACL) injury, older players will be less likely to return to the NBA, players that do return will have a lower performance efficiency rating (PER), and the decrease in PER will be associated with a lower salary.

This case-control study utilized the publicly available database maintained by the NBA, professional basketball players from 2002 to 2022 who suffered an ACL tear were identified. Controls, without ACL tears, were matched by age, BMI, position, race, and average minutes played before the injury date to uninjured controls. Return to NBA, pre-injury and post-return player efficiency ratings (PER), and salary change after injury were analyzed by multivariate analyses.

A total of 67 players suffered an ACL tear. Fifty-six (83.6%) players returned to the NBA at some point after their injury, while 11 (16.4%) did not. Multivariate logistic regression showed that older age and the presence of multi-ligament injury predicted retiring from the NBA (ß = 1.4 and 10.7). Older age and greater minutes played before surgery to be the only significant predictors of decreased PER after return to the NBA (ß = -0.5 and -0.2). Players with a multiyear contract and with improvements in PER after injury tended to have greater salary increases (ß = 6.5 and 0.7). All p < 0.05. PER in players with ACL tears decreased by about 3 points (13.1 to 9.9) compared to controls without ACL tears (13.2 to 12.9).

Older age and multiligament injuries are associated with retiring for the NBA; older and increased minutes played are associated with a decreased PER upon return; and, PER decreases are associated with decreased salary. Players with ACL tears, even when case-control matched, showed decreased PER upon return. These results can be attributed to age-related changes in athleticism and health.

Addressing grade 2 and 3 medial-sided instabilities during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is crucial to reduce the risk of ACL graft failure. This study introduced a minimally invasive, medial collateral ligament (MCL) augmentation technique using a peroneus longus split tendon autograft, which was fixed to the femoral deep MCL insertion and tibial superficial MCL insertion.

This prospective, longitudinal, single-centre case series included patients who underwent MCL augmentation concurrent with primary or revision ACL reconstruction due to anteromedial instability. Preoperatively and at 1-year follow-up, clinical examinations, such as rolimeter test of anterior tibial translation and medial instability, knee (International Knee Documentation Committee subjective knee form [IKDC], Lsyholm, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS]) and foot function scores (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score [AOFAS]) and complications, were analyzed.

Thirty-one patients with a mean follow-up of 13.5 ± 2.6 months and a mean age of 27.8 ± 9.6 years were included. The side-to-side difference for anterior tibial translation significantly improved from preoperative to 1-year follow-up with an ACL reconstruction failure rate of 6.5%. No patient retained a grade 2 or 3 medial instability on valgus stress testing with 30° flexion. Significant improvements from preoperative to 1-year postoperative follow-up were observed in knee function scores: IKDC (48.9 ± 26.9- 71.3 ± 11.5, p < 0.001) and Lysholm (59.9 ± 28.5-80.5 ± 11.2, p = 0.002) as well as KOOS pain, ADL, sport and QoL, each reaching the respective minimal clinically important difference values. The foot function score AOFAS showed no significant impairment (100 ± 0-99.3 ± 2.5, p = 0.250). Complications included cyclops lesions of ACL reconstruction in three patients.

At 1-year follow-up, MCL augmentation using a peroneus longus split tendon autograft for patients simultaneously undergoing ACL reconstruction satisfactorily restores knee stability, has a low ACL reconstruction failure rate and does not significantly impair foot function.

Level IV therapeutic study; case series.

Incidence rates in anterior cruciate ligament injuries, which are linked to multiple factors, are higher in females than in males. Modifiable contributors to the difference in risk are biomechanical factors such as knee valgus and knee rotation or neuromuscular control. Despite considerable research efforts, re-rupture rates are still high necessitating the need for improved risk reduction and rehabilitation programs. Incorporating exergaming, physically active serious games including a dual-task, has high potential to address this need. However, the execution of dual-tasks leads to altered movement patterns. Consequently, a comprehensive understanding of these movement patterns and their sex-specific differences is essential to subsequently tailor the training approach. The aim of this study was to explore biomechanical differences between males and females when performing a high-intensive exergame. Using three-dimensional motion capture (Vicon) during a 25-min exergame (Sphery Racer, ExerCube), kinematics were measured in 18 healthy athletes (9 male, 9 female). Knee valgus, knee internal rotation, and hip flexion angles during 10-30° knee flexion, were compared between the sexes and in each of the nine different exercises. Touches, and punches showed significant sex differences for knee internal rotation angle (main effect of sex F(1,16) = 6.14, p = .025). Depending on the exercise and side, the difference in estimated means between males and females in touches and punches ranged from 4.6-7.8°, with females showing higher values. Therefore, females display distinct movement patterns linked to anterior cruciate ligament injury, indicating that these movements should be carefully integrated into routine training and late-stage post-injury rehabilitation.

Patients typically follow a 7-9-month return to play (RTP) protocol following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR); however, much of these data have been based on non-elite athletes. The purpose of this study is to understand whether professional soccer players returning to competition < 6-months following ACLR will have an increased risk of graft failure, play fewer seasons postoperatively, and have lower volume of play compared with those returning > 6 months.

A total of 180 male professional European soccer players were enrolled and underwent ACLR with a single surgeon between April 2008 and December 2016 and returned to sport < 6 months (early RTP group, n = 92) or > 6 months (standard RTP group, n = 88). Time from intervention to RTP (days), same season returns, total games and average minutes played in return season, seasons played after surgery, and playing status were recorded.

The early RTP group returned to soccer sooner (142.8 ± 21.4 days) than the standard RTP group (276.2 ± 118.9) (p < 0.01), and more players returned the same season as the injury in the early RTP group (n = 55/92, 62.5%) than the standard RTP group (n = 18/88, 20.5%) (p < 0.01). The difference in average minutes per game in the first season back was not statistically significant (early RTP, 56.7 ± 22.3 min; standard RTP 49.9 ± 29.8 min, p = 0.094). The early RTP group had significantly longer careers following ACLR (5.7 ± 2.2 seasons) than the standard RTP group (4.7 ± 2.4 seasons) (p = 0.005). The early RTP group sustained more reruptures (n = 4, 4.4%) than the standard RTP group (n = 1, 1.1%).

Professional European soccer players returning to competition < 6 months following ACLR did not have poorer outcomes than those who returned > 6 months despite the fact that there were three more failures. However, the early RTP group players were more likely to return during the same season, had longer careers after ACLR, and played a similar number of games and minutes per game, but had more graft failures.

Retrospective cohort study level IV.

Retrospectively registered according to prot. Professionisti_OSS_22.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common among athletes and significantly impact their knee stability and performance. Surgical reconstruction is the standard treatment. The modified transtibial technique has emerged as a promising surgical approach for optimal graft positioning and complication reduction.

A retrospective study of athletes who underwent primary ACL reconstruction with the modified transtibial technique was conducted. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective scores and objective knee stability assessments. Return-to-sport rates and associated factors were analyzed.

Forty-four athletes were included (thirty-seven males, seven females; mean age 21.2 ± 5.0 years). At mean follow-up of 27.0 ± 12.2 months, significant improvements in the Lysholm and IKDC subjective scores were observed. Overall, 88.2% of athletes returned to sports, and 65.9% achieved their pre-injury levels. Return to pre-injury level was defined as regaining the same type, intensity, and frequency of sport participation as before the injury occurred. Professional athletes showed significantly higher return-to-pre-injury-sport rates (79.3%) than recreational athletes (40.0%, p = 0.0091). Concomitant meniscus injuries negatively impacted return-to-sport rates (92.9% versus 66.7%, p = 0.0397). The overall failure rate was 4.6% (2/44; 95% confidence level [CI]: 0.6-15.5%) with two cases of graft insufficiency or re-rupture.

ACL reconstruction with the modified transtibial technique provides favorable clinical outcomes, high return-to-sport rates, and low failure rates, particularly among professional athletes. Meniscus preservation is crucial for optimizing post-operative recovery. Future research should focus on long-term outcomes and comparative studies with other ACL reconstruction techniques.

Biomechanical alterations after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) may increase the risk of knee reinjury. Furthermore, individuals may experience persistent biomechanical differences in the lower limbs after finishing the rehabilitation program and being ready to return to sport, which may lead to an increase in the risk of reinjury. Limited data exist on individuals after ACLR and biomechanical alterations during running in elite athletes.

To measure kinetic and kinematic data during overground running 6 to 8 months after ACLR in an elite sports cohort.

Controlled laboratory study.

Three-dimensional motion capture tested the running gait of the participants. A total of 34 elite sports professionals who underwent ACLR and were cleared to return to sport and 34 noninjured high-level athlete participants matched by age and sex participated as the control group in this study.

A significant reduction was identified in internal knee extensor moment and knee flexion angles between the ACLR limb and the contralateral side (P = .01, .02) and between the ACLR limb and the control limb (P = .01, .01). The external knee adduction moment was increased significantly between the ACLR and control limbs (P = .01). No other differences were seen in the knee or hip kinetics and kinematics.

After ACLR, the elite participants demonstrated altered knee joint kinematics and kinetics at the time of being cleared to return to sport. These biomechanical deficits suggest that, despite being cleared, the athletes may not have been fully prepared for a safe return to sport, potentially increasing the risk of knee reinjury.

Alterations in kinematics and kinetics in the sagittal plane of the ACLR knee observed during running may predispose participants to joint-related issues, such as patellofemoral pain. Similarly, increased knee adduction moments in the affected limb may indicate unresolved biomechanical deficits. These findings suggest that the elite population may not be fully prepared to resume high-level activity within the 6-month time frame outlined in current rehabilitation protocols. A longer recovery period may be necessary to restore joint kinematics and kinetics to levels more consistent with a safe return to sport.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tears are one of the most common causes of lost playing time in American football athletes. Recently, there has been a push to get athletes back to sport faster. As such, numerous studies have evaluated management and rehabilitation protocols for return to play after ACL injury in football players. The purpose of this review is to synthesize information, both classic and new, to aid orthopedic surgeons in treatment of football players with ACL injuries.

Recent studies have demonstrated that not all ACL injuries are alike. Management should be a shared decision-making process between athlete and surgeon. Studies have demonstrated low failure rates when using bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTPB) autograft which is the most common graft utilized for elite football athletes. Outcomes are continually being evaluated by multicenter study groups such as the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcome Network which has established a thorough rehabilitation protocol focusing on athlete milestones. ACL tears in the football athlete are common and challenging injuries. Treatment revolves around ACL reconstruction, most commonly with BTPB autograft. Post-operative rehabilitation is essential and should focus on objective criteria rather than time elapsed. Return to play criteria rely upon symptoms, athlete confidence, strength, and both functional and football specific testing. Return-to-play timelines are individualized for each football athlete but recent trends have highlighted a more delayed return of at least 7-9 months. Rate of returning to play varies from 63-82% and depends upon many factors including level of play and position.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are a common yet significant musculoskeletal problem and are increasingly prevalent outside of elite athlete populations. As a result, individuals may undergo ACL reconstruction (ACLR), but long-term complications frequently persist. Individuals commonly believe that post-ACLR, they will eventually return to preinjury levels of function. However, for multiple reasons, the reality is that more than half fail to reach this preinjury level. Rehabilitation has traditionally focused on physical factors, which have been researched extensively. More recently, psychological factors affecting recovery have been examined. However, most literature focuses on 'outcome', with the patient voice, in terms of their views and perceptions of ACLR neglected. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is to understand individuals' perceptions, expectations and experiences pre-ACLR and post-ACLR and to understand key factors influencing this journey. Such knowledge would assist in maximising the chances of successful recovery.

This meta-aggregative systematic review protocol is reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols. Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE and SportDiscus databases, grey literature and key journals will be searched from inception. Qualitative research of any study design that includes individuals aged 16+ years who are awaiting or have undergone ACL reconstruction will be included. Studies focusing on ACL revision, ACL repair or multiligament reconstruction surgeries will be excluded. Two independent reviewers will conduct searches, determine study eligibility, extract data, assess methodological quality (Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist for qualitative research) and rate the overall confidence in findings (JBI ConQual).

Findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, as well as presented at conferences and locally to physiotherapy teams. Ethical approval is not required for this systematic review.

CRD42024594621.

Over the last decade, techniques and outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction have evolved dramatically. We have improved our graft choices from favoring autograft over allograft in younger patients and transitioned from transtibial to independent drilling to improve our femoral tunnel position, but our outcomes were still disappointing in high-risk populations such as those with generalized ligament laxity and female soccer (football) players with low return to sports rates, incomplete restoration of rotatory stability, and relatively high rates of osteoarthritis. With the renewed focus on extra-articular procedures, predominantly anterolateral ligament reconstruction and lateral extra-articular tenodesis, and avoiding the use of isolated soft-tissue grafts in high-risk patients, outcomes have significantly improved over the last decade. The indications for extra-articular procedures have expanded and the minimal downsides seem to validate this trend. Careful documentation and monitoring of long-term incidence of posttraumatic osteoarthritis will be the final step in implementing these additional procedures most active patients.

To describe the long-term outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with quadriceps-free tendon autograft (QFT) in terms of subjective function, clinical outcomes, and knee satisfaction.

A retrospective chart review design with prospective descriptive survey was used to determine clinical and subjective outcomes for patients treated with a QFT-ACLR from 2000 to 2013. Patients with multiligament reconstructions were excluded. The primary outcomes were clinical outcomes (reinjury of indexed knee, ACL injury to contralateral knee after indexed surgery), subjective function (International Knee Documentation Committee subjective score, Lysholm score), knee satisfaction (single assessment numeric evaluation), and global health and wellbeing (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global-10).

In total, 34 patients were contacted (average: 18.2 years, range: 10-23 years) after surgery (response rate, 17.3%). The mean age at time of surgery was 32.3 ± 11.1 years, and 50.4 ± 11.6 years at follow-up. For clinical outcomes, 23.5% of patients reported a reinjury of their QFT reconstructed ACL. Contralateral ACL injuries were reported in 17.6% of patients. No differences in subjective function and knee satisfaction were identified between patients with and without concomitant procedure at the time of surgery. Nearly two-thirds of patients reported strong mental health and physical function on the PROMIS Global Health.

This study presents a minimum of 10-year follow-up on QFT-ACLR, revealing 74% of patients reporting no reinjury, 67% of patients reporting acceptable-exceptional subjective knee function, and 74% indicating better physical and mental health compared to the general population. No differences were observed in knee function or satisfaction scores among patients who underwent a concomitant cartilage procedure at the time of QFT-ALCR with patients without these concomitant injuries.

Level IV, therapeutic case-series.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using tendon autograft requires imaging to evaluate graft adequacy. Ultrasound (US) offers an efficient adjunct to MRI; however, the utility of US is variable in prior literature and should be investigated. The primary aim of this study is to provide a statistical appraisal of literature assessing correlation of preoperative US measurements with intraoperative size of autografts during ACL reconstruction.

PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were queried for studies comparing preoperative US-based measurements to intraoperative measurements of autografts to assess graft adequacy (defined as > 8 mm diameter). Correlation coefficients from studies comparing combined cross-sectional area (CCSA) of autograft tendons on US to intraoperative autograft tendon diameters were collected and pooled. Random-effects models were generated to compare sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for the identification of adequate graft sizes.

Eleven studies compared preoperative measurements of autograft size to intraoperative measurements. Meta-analysis of studies assessing hamstring tendon CCSA on US in comparison to intraoperative tendon diameters revealed a pooled correlation coefficient of 0.54 (CI 0.41-0.66, I2 = 9.6%). Three studies reported if US correctly identified adequate graft sizes, demonstrating sensitivity of 83% (I2 = 0.0%) and specificity of 78% (I2 = 49.2%). PPV was 91% (I2 = 0.0%), and NPV was 62% (I2 = 11.7%).

Hamstring CCSA on US has moderate correlation with intraoperative diameter, high sensitivity (83%), moderate specificity (78%), and very high PPV (91%) for identifying adequately sized autografts for ACL reconstruction.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability and morbidity that has eluded development of effective disease modifying drugs and therapies. While established OA in the form of symptomatic radiographic disease is a recognizable final common pathway, OA development encompasses a broad spectrum of pathological changes, susceptibilities, and etiological pathways that cannot be considered a single disease process. Beginning with preclinical disease where radiographs are normal, the concept of pre-osteoarthritis (pre-OA) offers a systems-based approach to OA prevention by targeting reduction of OA risk prior to the onset of definable OA. Early OA ensues when cellular, molecular, and joint tissue changes begin to overlap that of OA, a process that can begin before the onset of definitive symptoms or radiographic changes. A myriad of pathways and crossroads of pre-OA and early OA eventually leads to poorly irreversible symptomatic radiographic OA. With increasing recognition of pre-OA and early OA markers, pathways and subtypes, opportunities arise to address these new therapeutic targets. The current status of clinical trials in OA was identified as a critical barrier to progress by the 2022 National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal, and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) Roundtable on "Cartilage Preservation and Restoration in Knee Osteoarthritis: Challenges, Gaps, and Opportunities". This manuscript summarizes the recommendations of the work group established from the Roundtable to address this issue. The work group recommends that clinical trial design and endpoints evolve to effectively evaluate new treatment approaches suitable for pre-osteoarthritis and early OA by different criteria than what has been set for symptomatic radiographic OA. While symptomatic improvement is the primary goal for palliation of irreversible established OA, important goals for treating earlier disease states include disease modification and prevention, with the potential to alter the natural history of progressive OA. Because symptoms may not correlate with structural changes in pre-OA and early OA, the primary outcomes in these trials need to match the intended mechanistic target and the therapeutic goal for the disease state being treated. The purpose of this manuscript is to transform the approach to clinical trials in OA by establishing a new benchmark of identifying critical outcomes that are appropriate for the joint disease states and subtypes of the target patient population, and the therapeutic or mechanistic target of the intervention being tested. By shifting the approach from using standardized outcomes based on established OA towards customizing clinical trials according to these principles, new precision medicine strategies to address the full spectrum of disease from pre-OA to OA can be more readily advanced into clinical practice.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is one of the most common knee injuries. Despite the effectiveness of reconstruction, re-rupture rates of up to 15 ​% have been reported. Static and dynamic test of strength and movement control have been used to determine when return to sports (RTS) is appropriate.

To determine whether successfully passing return to sport (RTS) tests reduces the re-rupture rate.

Retrospective cohort study. Patients who underwent ACL reconstruction (ACLR) from June 2018 to May 2023, and who performed RTS tests after rehabilitation, were analyzed. Patients who, in addition to ACLR, underwent extra-articular tenodesis, osteotomy, or multiligament injuries were excluded. RTS tests included the following: repeat sprint ability, dynamic valgus, proagility, unilateral counter movement jump (CMJ), isokinetic, triple hop test, and functional movement screen (FMS). All statistical analyses were performed with STATA version 18.0.

Ninety five patients underwent RTS tests after ACLR, with a follow-up time of 27.8 months. 71.6 ​% of patients were men with a mean age of 25.15 ​± ​10.7 years. The overall re-rupture rate was 13.68 ​% (13 patients). When comparing patients who passed and did not pass the RTS tests, there were no differences by sex (p ​= ​0.06) or age (p ​= ​0.11). The only statistically significant difference between the groups was the mean risk score (passed: 11.5 ​± ​0.7 vs. not passed: 15.5 ​± ​2.1; p ​< ​0.001). Patients with re-rupture were more likely to be from the non-passed group (passed: 0 ​% v/s not passed: 18.1 ​%; p ​= ​0.03), with a statistical power of 0.70.

Our records show that passing RTS test after an ACLR could guarantee the absence of re-rupture in the medium term.

Level IV.

To determine and compare the incidence rate (IR) of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) among higher-level athletes across six sports in the Swedish National Knee Ligament Registry (SNKLR).

Patient data from the SNKLR, between 2005 and 2020, was linked to team and event data of six sports (football, handball, basketball, ice hockey, floorball and alpine sports) to identify higher-level athletes aged 15-40 with ACL-R. Unadjusted and adjusted IR ratios (IRRs) with 99% CIs were calculated between sports, sex, age and divisions.

Female athletes had a 3.3 times higher ACL-R IR compared with males (1.08 vs 0.32, IRR=3.33, 99% CI: 2.65 to 4.19) per 1000 athlete exposures (AE). Basketball had the largest difference in ACL-R IR per 1000 AE between females and males (1.26 vs 0.22, IRR=5.69, 99% CI: 2.79 to 11.60). Female second-division athletes had higher ACL-R IR per 1000 AE compared with female highest-division athletes (1.27 vs 0.76, IRR=1.67, 99% CI: 1.30 to 2.15). No significant association between age and IR was observed. Compared with football, lower ACL-R IR was observed in floorball and ice hockey in females, as well as in floorball, basketball and ice hockey in males.

Female athletes had higher ACL-R IRs than males and second-division female athletes had higher ACL-R IRs than highest-division female athletes. Lower ACL-R IRs were observed in floorball and ice hockey compared with football for both sexes. The remaining sports had ACL-R IRs similar to football, except basketball where rates were lower for male athletes.

While both iliotibial band graft augmented by gracilis tendon (ITB + G) and hamstring autograft with modified Lemaire lateral extra-articular tenodesis (STG + LET) are established techniques for addressing rotatory instability in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, no direct comparison exists between these approaches. The purpose of this study was to provide the first direct comparison between these two surgical techniques regarding graft survival, functional outcomes and return to sport.

This single-centre, single-surgeon retrospective study analyzed 56 patients (28 per group) after 1:1 propensity score matching based on age, gender and Tegner activity scale. Primary end point was failure (graft retear or secondary meniscal lesion). Secondary outcomes included the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), anterior cruciate ligament-return to sport after surgery (ACL-RSI) scores, and return to sport rate. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and between-group comparisons were performed using appropriate statistical tests.

At mean follow-up of 53.3 ± 6.4 months, failure-free survival rates at 24 months were 85.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 66.3-94.4) for STG + LET and 89.3% (95% CI: 70.4-96.4) for ITB + G (p = 0.664). Graft retear rate was 7.1% (STG + LET: 3.6%, ITB + G: 10.7%). Secondary meniscal injuries occurred equally (14.3%) in both groups. Return-to-sport rate was 89.3% at mean of 9.6 ± 3.9 months. Mean IKDC scores were 87.5 ± 11.4 for STG + LET and 83.6 ± 16.3 for ITB + G, with 73.7% achieving Patient Acceptable Symptom State criteria. ACL-RSI scores were similar between groups (STG + LET: 74.2 ± 24.3 and ITB + G: 73.5 ± 26.8).

No significant differences were found between ITB + G and STG + LET techniques regarding failure rates, return to sport and functional outcomes. Both techniques achieved satisfactory results in this cohort, with similar complication profiles. This comparison provides valuable clinical guidance, supporting surgical decision-making based on surgeon experience.

Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is common in athletic individuals and often leads to physical impairments, a low rate of return to performance, reinjuries, and sometimes reductions in career length [...].

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate neuromuscular control and muscle activation patterns in individuals following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, compared to healthy controls. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted following STROBE guidelines, including 16 participants (ACL group: n = 9; control group: n = 7). Participants performed the single-leg squat (SLS) test and the single-leg drop landing (SLDL) test. Neuromuscular control was assessed using the Qualitative Analysis of Single-Leg Loading Score (QASLS), while gluteus medius and vastus medialis activation were recorded using surface electromyography. Results: The ACL group showed significantly higher QASLSs in the SLS test (p = 0.0113), indicating poorer movement quality, while no difference was found in the SLDL test (p = 0.5484). Gluteus medius activation was lower in the ACL group during the SLS test (p = 0.0564), and vastus medialis activation was higher but not significantly different (p = 0.095). Conclusions: These findings highlight persistent neuromuscular deficits post-ACL-reconstruction, particularly in SLS tasks, reinforcing the need for targeted rehabilitation strategies focusing on hip stabilization and quadriceps motor control to optimize movement quality and reduce reinjury risk.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in children and adolescents have increased in recent years. Controversy remains regarding their clinical and functional results, as well as return-to-sports (RTS) rate. The aim of this work is to analyze the clinical and patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) of ACL reconstruction (ACL-R) and determine which factors are associated with a better med-term outcome.

63 skeletally immature subjects (64 knees) with ACL injury treated by ligamentoplasty and with at least 2 years of follow-up were included. Demographic data, sports level, initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, complications and RTS rate were collected. All the subjects completed the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Kujala Score, Lysholm Score and Tegner Activity Scale questionnaires.

The mean age at the time of the injury was 13.9 ± 2.3 years and the 66% performed organized sport. All-epiphyseal tunnels were performed in 23% (14% all-inside), and transphyseal tunnels in 73% (57.5% all-inside). The all-inside technique were associated with a higher proportion of grafts obtained with a single hamstring (p < 0.05), without differences in the RTS rate but with lower scores in Lysholm and Tegner scores (p < 0.05). Lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LEAT) was performed in 27% of the cases, showing them an earlier RTS and an even higher level (p < 0.05). After a mean follow-up of 3.2 years (range 2-10.4), the RTS rate is 80% and the mean PROMs are: KOOS 91.2 ± 6.4, Kujala 93.3 ± 5.7, Lysholm 93.2 ± 10.6, and Tegner level 7.7 ± 1.3.

The ACL-R in children and adolescents achieves a high RTS rate and excellent PROMs after a mean follow-up of 3.2 years. All-epiphyseal tunnels achieve similar results to transphyseal but respecting the physis, all-inside technique produces less morbidity with a similar function, and addition of LEAT allows an early RTS with a higher level.

To find contributors to return to sport success or time until return to sport in individuals after an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Cohort study.

Secondary analysis of the data of two intervention studies.

We included adults < 36 years of age with a tendon autograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction who were active in any type of sport prior to the injury and aiming to return to sport. All participants were prospectively monitored for 24 months.

At the end of the individual post-surgery rehabilitation and re-injury prevention programmes, self-report- and objective functional outcomes were quantified.

The potential return to sport success (return to the same type of sports, frequency, intensity, and quality of performance as pre-injury), secondary injuries, and all rehabilitation and training measures were prospectively monitored. To determine the contributing factors, Cox regressions for traits and baseline factors and a logistic mixed model, which also included prospective time-dependent factors, were calculated.

203 participants were included; 104 (51 % of the total sample and 68 % of the full cases) successfully returned to their sporting activity. The median duration until return to sport was 302 days (interquartile range was 114 days). Contributing factors were the type of working (blue- vs. white collar: odds ratio for return to sport = 0.51 [95 % confidence interval = 0.29 to 0.90]) and the athletic status (elite vs. non-elite: odds ratio = 2.28 [1.03 to 5.03]). Prospectively, higher rehabilitation volumes until the end of the rehabilitation were predictive for return to sport success: the odds ratio per additional hour of rehabilitation was 1.004 [1.001 to 1.006]. Functional abilities such as the normalised knee separation distance during drop jump landing (odds ratio = 0.961 [0.924 to 0.999]) were predictive at a later stage, at the end of the re-injury prevention. Psychological readiness for return to sport was predictive at most of the timepoints: those who were confident to return to sport were more successful to return to sport at the end of the rehabilitation (odds ratio = 1.029 [1.004 to 1.056]) and at the end of the re-injury prevention (odds ratio = 1.038 [1.004 to 1.073]).

The most important factors for a successful pre-injury-level return to sport after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction were the exercise volume, psychological readiness and functional hop/jump abilities. Whilst the impact of these modifiable factors was robust against multilevel modelling, the impact of athletic and working status vanishes when the prospective factors are included.

To determine the relationship between patient-reported outcomes (PROs), objective graft status on second-look arthroscopy, and knee muscle strength during the early period after isolated primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

Patients who underwent second-look arthroscopy at least 1 year after primary ACLR between 2012 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Those who completed follow-up muscle strength tests and PRO measures were included in this study. Subjective clinical outcomes were assessed on the basis of patient-reported outcome measures using the Lysholm score preoperatively and during second-look arthroscopy. Objective graft status was assessed during second-look arthroscopy using a numeric scale system consisting of the following 4 subscales: tension, vascularity, synovialization, and continuity of the graft. The graft score (0-8) was determined by adding the points from each subscale (0-2). Muscle strength was measured using isokinetic dynamometry to assess peak torque, limb symmetry index for both the quadriceps and hamstrings and the ratio of the hamstring and quadriceps before second-look arthroscopy. Second-look arthroscopy patients included in analysis were those without concomitant meniscal or cartilage procedures. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with inferior PROs (Lysholm score ≤83).

A total of 82 patients were enrolled in this study. At an average follow-up of 22.4 ± 4.8 months, 25 patients (30.5%) scored less than 83 on the Lysholm scale. No significant differences were found in total graft status scores between groups with superior or inferior outcomes (6.9 ± 1.8 vs 7.1 ± 1.2, P = .573). However, the group with inferior PROs showed significantly lower peak torque in both hamstring and quadriceps (P = .001 and P < .001, respectively). Multivariate analysis indicated that older age and lower limb symmetry index for extension and flexion (<70% and 90%, respectively) were significantly correlated with inferior PROs (odds ratios: 1.08, 5.11, and 5.66; P = .014, .013, and .006, respectively).

Early inferior subjective outcomes after ACLR were associated with delayed recovery of quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength compared to graft appearance and tension.

Level III, retrospective comparative case series.

While current literature has explored the outcomes of athletes who return to sport (RTS) after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, less is known about the outcomes of those who are unsuccessful in returning to sport.

To determine the rate of athletes who did not RTS after primary ACL reconstruction (ACLR) and to identify the specific subjective reasons for failure to RTS.

A comprehensive search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted through April 2021.

Eligible studies included those explicitly reporting the rate of failure for RTS after ACLR as well as providing details on reasons for athletes' inability to return; 31 studies met the inclusion criteria.

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Level 2 to 4.

The reasons for failure to RTS referred to in our study are derived from those established previously in the studies included. Data were collected on the number of athletes, mean age, mean follow-up time, type of sport played, failure to RTS rate, and specific reasons for failure to return.

The weighted rate of failure to RTS after ACLR was 25.5% (95% CI, 19.88-31.66). The estimated proportion of psychosocial-related reasons cited for failure to RTS was significantly greater than knee-related reasons for failure RTS (55.4% vs 44.6%, P < 0.01). The most cited reason for failure to RTS was fear of reinjury (33.0%).

This study estimates the rate of failure to RTS after ACLR to be 25.5%, with the majority of athletes citing fear of reinjury as the major deterrent for returning to sports. We highlight how factors independent of surgical outcomes may impact an athlete's ability to return to play given that the predominant reason for no RTS after ACLR was unrelated to the knee.

Despite published guidelines describing on-field rehabilitation (OFR) frameworks for soccer, available evidence for practitioners who work with players with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is limited.

To document the activity and workloads completed by a large cohort of amateur and professional soccer players during OFR following ACLR after completing their indoor rehabilitation and to establish their return to competition (RTC) outcomes.

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

OFR measurements/activities, global positioning system (GPS), and heart rate data were collected from 100 male 11-a-side soccer players with ACLR undergoing a criteria-based rehabilitation process, concluding with a 5-stage OFR program. Consent was obtained directly from the players involved in this study before completing a follow-up questionnaire to document RTC outcomes. Differences between the level of play (professional and amateur) and 5 OFR stages were investigated using separate linear mixed models.

A minimum 9-month follow-up was possible for 97 players (97%), with a median time of 2.3 years after ACLR and 84% RTC, with higher rates in professionals (100%) than amateurs (80%). Ten (10%) players sustained an ACL reinjury. Professionals completed more OFR sessions (20.6 ± 7.7 vs 13.2 ± 7.7; P < .001) over a shorter period (44.7 ± 30.3 vs 59.3 ± 28.5 days; P = .044) and achieved higher workloads mostly in the high-intensity GPS metrics in each OFR stage. Typical external workload outputs in the final OFR stage aligned with team training demands for the total distance (TD) (106%), high-intensity distance (HID) (104%), peak speed (PS) (88%), acceleration distance (ACC) (110%), and deceleration distance (DEC) (48%), but they were lower compared with match play demands (TD: 44%; HID: 51%; PS: 82%; ACC: 63%; and DEC: 26%).

High RTC rates were reported in those players who participated in OFR after indoor rehabilitation. Completion of all five OFR stages almost prepared them for team training demands; however, workloads remain low compared to match play.

The issue of graft selection in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction continues to be debated in the literature. It has been reported in the literature that different graft types give different results, especially in different demographic characteristics (age, sex) and different sports. In this study, we attempted to provide an overview of how graft selection should be made according to demographic characteristics (age, sex) and sport types.

In this study, we tried to review the studies in the literature that compared graft types in ACL reconstruction according to age, sex, or type of sport.

A narrow review of the literature was performed to compare graft selection specific to different sports.

There is no perfect graft selection for everyone. Given the distinct characteristics of each sport branch, including the grade of pivoting, frequency of repeated movements, and expectations, it is evident that dedicated research is required for each sport. Comparative studies on graft selection specific to each sport may increase the accuracy of the selection.

A review of the literature reveals a paucity of studies on the selection and outcomes of grafts in different sports. When choosing a graft for ACL reconstruction, factors such as age, sex, sport type, and expectations should be taken into consideration and a personalized decision should be made.

The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form of approval from the patient(s) with this submission for publication.

Female soccer athletes with a history of anterior cruciate ligament injury are more susceptible to secondary injuries and potentially worse sport performance. The purpose of this study was to determine if female soccer athletes post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction demonstrate worse jump height and reactive strength index performance and lower involved limb hip, knee, and ankle joint power and absorption, and larger joint power and absorption asymmetries compared to matched uninjured athletes.

Eleven Division I female soccer athletes post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (18.8 ± 1.0 years, 1.72 ± 0.04 m, 66.4 ± 3.4 kg) and twenty-two matched controls (19.2 ± 1.0 years, 1.72 ± 0.05 m, 65.8 ± 5.0 kg) completed three trials of a standard bilateral jump landing. Separate 2 × 2 (group, limb) mixed-model ANOVAs, independent t-tests, and Mann-Whitney U tests (α ≤ 0.05) were used for analysis. Post-hoc t-tests with false discovery rate P-values were used on significant interactions.

We found no differences between groups in jump height, reactive strength index, ankle power and absorption asymmetry, hip power and absorption asymmetry, and knee absorption asymmetry (P > 0.05). Athletes post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction had decreased knee power in their involved limb compared to their uninvolved limb (P < 0.001). Regardless of limb, athletes post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction absorbed more at the hip compared to controls (P = 0.013).

Female soccer athletes post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction utilize aberrant strategies to achieve the same level of performance as their uninjured peers. Specifically, the athletes utilized a hip dominant strategy to achieve similar performance outcomes.

To assess the relationship between the presence, depth, and location of the lateral femoral notch sign (LFNS) on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the risk of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) graft failure, as well as secondary return to sport (RTS) endpoints.

Patients with primary ACLR failure between 2012 and 2021 were identified and matched to patients without primary ACLR failure by sex, age, and body mass index. Patients with incomplete medical records, inadequate follow-up, or concomitant lateral extra-articular tenodesis or anterolateral ligament reconstruction were excluded. The presence, depth, and location of the LFNS were recorded from patients' preoperative MRI. Intraoperative data, concomitant injuries, ACLR failure, and RTS were collected.

Of the 253 included patients, 158 (62.5%) were male, the mean age was 22 ± 9.1 years old, and the mean body mass index was 25.7 ± 5.7. 87(34.4%) had a LFNS on preoperative MRI. There was no difference in the prevalence of the LFNS between patients with primary ACLR failure (42 [32.1%]) and without primary ACLR failure (45 [36.9%]) (odds ratio 1.24, 95% confidence interval 0.74-2.08; P = .42). Among patients with the LFNS, there was no difference in mean depth between those with and without primary ACLR failure, or when stratifying depth by 1.0-1.5 mm, 1.5-2.0 mm, and >2.0 mm. The mean location of the LFNS from Blumensaat line did not differ between patients with or without primary ACLR failure, and RTS rate, level, and time were comparable between patients with and without the LFNS.

There was no significant difference in the presence, depth or location of the LFNS in patients with and without primary ACLR failure. Presence of the LFNS is not associated with additional risk of primary ACLR failure, and clinical outcomes were comparable in patients with and without the LFNS.

Level IV, retrospective case-control study.

To investigate the rate and timing for return to football league games after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in Swedish players, examining associations with sex, age, level, graft and additional ACL surgery.

Data from the Swedish National Knee Registry (SNKLR) and the Swedish Football Association's IT System (FOGIS) were used. The study cohort comprised 971 football players, 64% males, who underwent primary ACLR. Demographics, graft type and surgical information were extracted from the SNKLR and game participation from FOGIS. Follow-up for return to competition (RTC) was conducted for 36 months, while additional ACLR follow-up was 3-7 years. Statistical analyses, including Kaplan-Meier survival curves and relative risk calculations, were employed to assess factors influencing RTC rates and timing.

Out of 971 players analyzed, 53% RTC within 3 years with no difference between males and females, at a mean of 15 months (median 14 months) from surgery to the first game. Eleven (2%) players RTC < 6 months from ACLR, 62 (12%) 6-9 months, 125 (24%) 9-12 months and 331 (63%) >12 months. Patellar tendon (PT) grafts demonstrated superior performance, showing quicker returns and higher RTC rates (p = 0.005) compared to hamstring (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.63 [0.48-0.84]) and quadriceps tendon grafts (HR: 0.53 [0.30-0.93]). Players competing in higher divisions pre-injury experienced significantly swifter and higher RTC rates (p < 0.001). Ninety-five (10%) had a registered additional ACLR. Players who RTC did not exhibit a significantly higher rate of revision (35 [7%] vs. 25 [5%]). However, those who returned faced a heightened risk of contralateral ACLRs compared to those who did not RTC (32 [6%] vs. 4 [1%] RR 1.72 [1.59-1.96], p < 0.001).

The study reveals that 53% of football players RTC after ACLR, predominantly after more than 12 months. The RTC was higher and faster in high-level players and those receiving a PT graft. The slow RTC may contribute to the relatively low rate of additional ACLRs.

Level III.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are frequent injuries in athletes that often require surgical reconstruction so that patients may return to their previous levels of performance. While existing data on patient-reported outcomes are similar between bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) and hamstring tendon (HT) autografts, the literature regarding return to sport (RTS), return to previous levels of sport activity, and graft failure rate remains limited.

To compare rates of RTS, return to previous activity levels, and graft retears among athletes undergoing primary ACL reconstruction using a BTB versus HT autograft.

Systematic review and meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 4.

The MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were queried, and studies reporting on RTS after primary ACL reconstruction using a BTB or HT autograft were included. Exclusion criteria included revision reconstruction, ACL repair, quadriceps tendon autografts, allografts, graft augmentation, or double-bundle autografts. Rates of RTS, return to previous levels of activity, and retears were extracted and analyzed across included studies.

A total of 33 articles met inclusion criteria, with a patient cohort of 4810 athletes. The overall RTS rate for all athletes was 80.4% (95% CI, 75.3%-84.6%) at a mean follow-up of 35.7 months, with 54.6% (95% CI, 48.5%-60.6%) returning to preinjury levels of activity. No significant difference was found between BTB and HT autografts with respect to rates of RTS, return to preinjury activity levels, or reruptures. The overall RTS rate in patients after primary ACL reconstruction with a BTB autograft was 83.3% (95% CI, 77.0%-88.2%), with 56.1% (95% CI, 49.3%-62.7%) returning to preinjury levels of activity. Conversely, the overall RTS rate in patients after primary ACL reconstruction with an HT autograft was 77.9% (95% CI, 70.3%-84.0%), with 53.5% (95% CI, 42.8%-63.9%) returning to preinjury levels of activity. The overall graft rerupture rate for the entire patient cohort was 3.6% (95% CI, 2.5%-5.1%), for patients with BTB grafts was 3.2% (95% CI, 1.9%-5.3%), and for patients with HT grafts was 4.4% (95% CI, 2.8%-6.8%).

Primary ACL reconstruction using BTB autografts demonstrated similar rates of RTS, return to previous activity levels, and reruptures compared with reconstruction using HT autografts.

There are no studies that compare the outcomes and complications of single-versus two-stage revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) after primary ACLR failure. This purpose of this study is to examine clinical and functional outcomes and complications associated with single and two-stage revision ACLR after primary ACLR failure.

All patients who underwent single or two-stage revision ACLR after primary ACLR failure between 2012 and 2021 with a minimum of a 2 year follow-up were included. Patients were excluded if they were not treated at our single academic institution, had inadequate follow-up, or had incomplete medical records. Revision intraoperative data, concomitant injuries, and complications were collected by chart review. Return to sport, numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and Veteran Rands 12-item health survey (VR-12 scores) were collected.

The final analysis included 176 patients. A total of 147 (83.5%) had a single-stage revision ACLR (87 male, 60 female), and 29 (16.5%) had a two-stage revision ACLR (13 male, 16 female). Two-stage revision ACLR was significantly associated with anterior knee pain [odds ratio (OR) 4.36; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5 to 12.65; P = 0.007] but with lower failure rates (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.9; P = 0.04). On multivariate analysis, a two-stage revision ACLR reduced the risk of graft failure by 85% (OR 0.15; 95% CI 0.02 to 1.17; P = 0.07). Two-stage revision ACLR was significantly associated with a lower KOOS pain score (OR -11.7; 95% CI -22.35 to -1.04; P = 0.031), KOOS symptoms score (OR -17.11; 95% CI -28.85 to -5.36; P = 0.004), KOOS Activities of Daily Living (ADL) score (OR -11.15; 95% CI -21.71 to -0.59; P = 0.039) and Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12) physical component score (OR -9.99; 95% CI -15.77 to -4.22; P = 0.001).

The clinical outcomes and subjective patient scores significantly differed between the single-stage and two-stage revision ACLR after primary ACLR failure. Patients with a two-stage revision ACLR had a significantly reduced risk of revision graft failure but higher rates of postoperative anterior knee pain, lower pain scores, and lesser knee functional scores than single-stage revision patients.

Retrospective cohort study; level of evidence, 3.

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most injured ligaments, with approximately 100,000 ACL reconstructions taking place annually in the United States. In order to successfully manage ACL rupture, it is of the utmost importance to understand the anatomy, unique physiology, and biomechanics of the ACL, as well as the injury mechanisms and healing capacity. Currently, the "gold standard" for the treatment of ACL ruptures is surgical reconstruction, particularly for young patients or athletes expecting to return to pivoting sports. Although ACL reconstruction boasts a high success rate, patients may face different, serious post-operative complications, depending on the type of graft and technique used in each one of them. Tissue engineering is a multidisciplinary field that could contribute to the formation of a tissue-engineered ACL graft manufactured by a combination of the appropriate stem-cell type, a suitable scaffold, and specific growth factors, combined with mechanical stimuli. In this review, we discuss the aspects that constitute the creation of a successful tissue-engineered graft while also underlining the current drawbacks that arise for each issue. Finally, we highlight the benefits of incorporating new technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning that could revolutionize tissue engineering.

Basketball is an intense, fast-paced game that is physically, highly demanding. Certain aspects of the game, such as the quick pivoting and cutting movements, predispose the players to serious knee injuries, including anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. While an ACL tear can be a devastating condition for players, multidisciplinary management of the injury can provide the players with a reasonable chance to return to play at the pre-injury level. This article aims to review the general principles and guidelines for the management of ACL injury in basketball players. The diagnosis, surgical treatment, rehabilitation and return to sports are discussed from European and North American perspectives. With a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to this condition, medical professionals can provide injured basketball players with a favourable prognosis for returning to play at the pre-injury level. To return to normal life and basketball after ACL reconstruction, the proposed approach includes (1) the selection of the appropriate surgical graft and technique, (2) maintaining a healthy and persistent mental state during rehabilitation, and (3) following a scientific rehabilitation programme based on personalized recovery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is among the most studied sports injuries. We investigate the impact of ACL reconstruction (ACLR) on performance and longevity in La Liga to elucidate performance parameters impacted after surgery in professional soccer players and variables impacting return-to-play (RTP).Demographic and performance data for La Liga players with ACLR between 1993 and 2020 were collected three seasons before and after injury and compared with two healthy controls. Analysis was conducted between and within ACLR and control groups. Pearson's correlation coefficients and a multiple linear regression model analyzed relationships between demographic variables and RTP.After exclusion, 23 professional soccer players were identified for the ACLR group. One year after index, ACLR had lower goals, shots on-target, assists, pass percentage, tackles, tackle success percentage, blocks, and clearances compared with control (p < 0.05). Two years after index, ACLR had lower assists, pass percentage, and tackle success percentage than control (p < 0.05). Three years after index, ACLR had fewer matches and blocks versus control (p < 0.05). Pearson's correlation showed a positive correlation between experience and RTP (p = 0.001). Multiple linear regression found RTP to increase 32.66 days for each additional year of experience (p < 0.001).With performance metrics showing significant decreases up to 2 years post-ACLR but largely recovering within 3 years of RTP, results support that soccer players undergoing ACLR eventually recover to preinjury levels of play. Players should be counseled on initial declines in performance metrics the first few years after RTP.

It has been demonstrated that an athlete's psychological readiness contributes to one's ability to successfully return to sport (RTS) after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. However, the effect of graft choice on psychological readiness is not yet understood.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between graft choice and an athlete's psychological readiness to RTS. It was hypothesized that similar ACL-Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) scores would be achieved among patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with quadriceps autograft (QA), hamstring tendon autograft (HA), and bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) autograft.

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction at a single institution between January 2017 and December 2018 were placed into separate cohorts depending on graft type (HA, BTB, or QA; n = 30 patients in each group), and the ACL-RSI, International Knee Documentation Committee subjective form, and Lysholm scores were compared between the different graft cohorts at 6 months postoperatively, at RTS, and at 2 years postoperatively. Also, the rate of patients who achieved an ACL-RSI score of ≥65 (predictive of return to preinjury sport at 2 years postoperatively) was calculated, as was the RTS rate and time.

The QA group demonstrated significantly higher ACL-RSI scores than both the HA and BTB groups at 6 months postoperatively (P < .0001) and RTS (P = .011). The QA group also had a higher rate of achieving ≥65 on ACL-RSI than the other groups at 6 months postoperatively (P = .002) and RTS (P = .024). There was no significant difference in the RTS rate between the 3 groups, although the QA group demonstrated a significantly quicker return (QA, 8.1 months; BTB, 9.6 months; HA, 10.5 months; P < .001).

Athletes undergoing primary ACL reconstruction with QA achieved a higher mean ACL-RSI score and more often achieved a score of ≥65 at the 6-month and RTS time points compared with the HA and BTB groups. QA may afford an advantage over other grafts in terms of improved psychological readiness to RTS.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify the association between genetic polymorphisms and tendon and ligament injuries in adolescent and adult athletes of multiple competition sports. The PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, Cochrane Library, and MEDLINE databases were searched until July 7, 2023. Eligible articles included genetic studies on tendon and ligament injuries and comparisons between injured and non-injured athletes. This review included 31 articles, comprising 1,687 injury cases and 2,227 controls, from a meta-analysis of 12 articles. We identified 144 candidate gene polymorphisms (only single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified). The meta-analyses included vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) rs699947, collagen type I alpha 1 rs1800012, collagen type V alpha 1 rs12722, and matrix metalloproteinase 3 rs679620. The VEGFA rs699947 polymorphism showed a lower risk of injuries in athletes with the C allele ([C vs. A]: OR=0.80, 95% CI: 0.65-0.98, I 2 =3.82%, p=0.03). The risk of these injuries were not affected by other polymorphisms. In conclusion, the VEGFA rs699947 polymorphism is associated with the risk of tendon and ligament injuries in athletes. This study provides insights into genetic variations that contribute to our understanding of the risk factors for such injuries in athletes.

Isolated patellar tendon (PT) or anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures are common injuries, yet the co-occurrence of both presents a rare challenge for clinicians. The objectives of the study are to document diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, outcomes, and complications of combined PT and ACL injuries and to develop an algorithm to guide clinicians in decision-making.

The systematic review und metanalysis was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Studies reporting on simultaneous PT and ACL ruptures were included. Meta-analysis was performed to compare different diagnostic modalities and treatment strategies.

Thirty-six studies reporting on 56 Patients were included. 88% of patients had a concomitant injury (apart from PT and ACL) to the ipsilateral knee. Part of the diagnosis was missed in 23% of the cases. Performance of MRI significantly reduced the risk of missing a part of the injury (5% with MRI vs 69% without MRI, p < 0.001). Surgical treatment was used only for the PT in 21% of the cases and for the PT and ACL in 77% of the cases (48% one-stage, 52% two-stage surgical treatment).

Combined ACL and PT rupture is rare, and recognizing its full extent is crucial for successful management. Performing an MRI in PT rupture from high-energy trauma and diagnostic arthroscopy/arthrotomy when MRI is not done is essential. PT ruptures should be treated surgically. For ACL rupture, conservative and operative treatment, one- or two-stage surgery are possible based on the patient's profile and concomitant injuries. Based on the limited available literature, this systematic review provides a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm to assist in clinical decision-making.

To examine sex differences in psychological readiness to return to sport following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction as well as to determine whether males and females separately fulfilled cut-off values (≥65) of psychological readiness necessary to return to sport.

Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed were comprehensively searched from inception to January 2024 to identify relevant studies.

Observational investigations that compared males and females with a history of ACL reconstruction concerning psychological readiness to return to sport.

Studies were rated using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomised Studies.

Only 11 reports fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included in the quantitative analysis. A total of 2618 participants were subjected to the primary ACL reconstruction, out of 1631 males and 987 females. Psychological readiness to return to sport was evaluated approximately 9±2.9 months following surgery.

The main findings demonstrated that males had slightly higher psychological readiness to return to the sport than females (standardised mean difference 0.33; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.52; p=0.0007; I2=77%) after ACL surgery. In addition, the mean psychological readiness to return to the sport of males was 70.1±8.8 points and of females 65.1±8.8 points, indicating that both sexes exceeded recommendations necessary to return to sport.

Males had slightly higher psychological readiness to return to sport than females approximately 9±2.9 months after ACL reconstruction and both sexes exceeded the highlighted recommendations necessary to return to sport.

CRD42024497769: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42024497769.

This cross-sectional study investigated the influence of attentional focus verbal instructions on test results for return to sport (RTS) after ACL-R. Sixty subjects (53 male and 7 female, age 27.52 ± 7.63 years, body mass 77.56 ± 12.41 kg, height 162.04 ± 43.90 cm, and surgery time 11.15 ± 4.55 months) were evaluated in the single hop test (SHT), 6 m timed hop test (6mTHT), and "T" agility test. Participants performed the tests following randomly determined verbal instructions that induced neutral focus (NF), internal focus (IF), and external focus (EF). EF increased hop distance in SHT compared to NF (p = 0.001, effect size = 0.57) and IF (p = 0.037, effect size = 0.57) and there was no difference between IF and NF (p = 0.418). In 6mTHT, NF and EF increase velocity compared to IF (p = 0.001, effect size = 0.49, p = 0.001, effect size = 0.49, respectively). In the "T" agility test, the NF increased velocity when compared to the EF (p = 0.001, effect size = 0.62) and the IF (p = 0.001, effect size = 0.62), without difference between IF and EF (p = 0.071). In summary, attentional focus in patients under ACL-R can influence hops and agility.

Person-centered care is a concept in healthcare that aims to promote the patient's health and adapt resources and interventions based on the patient's needs and wishes. Knowledge on what person-centered physiotherapy is for patients who rehabilitate after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, and how patients experience it within the context of sports injury rehabilitation, is lacking.

The aim of this study was to explore how patients who were in a late rehabilitation stage (8-12 months) after ACL reconstruction experienced their rehabilitation from a person-centered perspective.

Qualitative interview study.

Fourteen patients (57% females), aged 18-57, treated with ACL reconstruction, were interviewed with semi-structured interviews 8-12 months after ACL reconstruction. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed with qualitative content analysis.

One theme: all lights on me; be seen and heard, a cornerstone for patients, supported by three main categories: 1) rehabilitation: a roller coaster of physical and psychological challenges; 2) patient involvement; 3) the physiotherapist - stronger together; emerged from the collected data.

Patients in a late rehabilitation stage (8-12 months) after ACL reconstruction experienced that the rehabilitation process was person-centered when they felt to be the focus and were allowed to participate via open and constructive communication with the physiotherapists.

The main purpose was to determine cut-off values for absolute (QNm/kg) and relative (QLSI) isokinetic knee extensor (KE) strength for achieving a patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS) in the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) subscales and for different age groups to determine the association between QNm/kg and QLSI and PASS, at 1 and 3 years after an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

PASS was defined as reaching cut-off values for all KOOS subscales. Data from follow-ups were extracted from a rehabilitation registry. Male and female patients were divided into two age groups based on their age at primary ACLR: 16-24 years and 25-65 years. Odds Ratios between the QNm/kg and QLSI cut-off values and achieving PASS were calculated. Receiver Operating Characteristic curves were constructed to determine the individual predictive capacity for achieving PASS of QNm/kg and of QLSI using the area under the curve (AUC).

Results from 755 and 145 patients (females = 51% and 52%; preinjury Tegner Activity level ≥6 = 82% and 74%) were used in the 1- and 3-year follow-up analyses. Reaching the cut-off values for the QNm/kg, ranging between ≥2.1 and ≥2.7, entailed between 2.09 and 5.12 times the odds of achieving PASS, across all groups at the 1-year follow-up. At the 3-year follow-up, the cut-off values of ≥3.4 and ≥2.6QNm/kg were associated with patients achieving PASS with acceptable accuracy (AUC = 0.700-0.780) in 16-41 year-old males and females.

At 1 year after ACLR, patients of both sexes and age groups reaching cut-off values for absolute KE strength had two to five times the odds, that were clinically relevant, to achieve PASS. Acceptable discriminative capacity was found for the absolute KE strength among male and female patients 16-24 years old, at 3 years after ACLR.

Level III.

The aim of the present study was to compare 45° and 60° of sagittal femoral tunnel angles in terms of anterior tibial translation (ATT), valgus angle and graft in situ force following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

Ten porcine knees were subjected to the following loading conditions: (1) 89 N anterior tibial load at 35° (full extension), 60° and 90° of knee flexion and (2) 5 N m valgus tibial moment at 35° and 45° of knee flexion. ATT and graft in situ force of the intact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and ACLR were collected using a robotic universal force/moment sensor (UFS) testing system for (1) ACL intact, (2) ACL-deficient (ACLD) and (3) two different ACLR using different sagittal femoral tunnel angles (coronal 45°/sagittal 45° and coronal 45°/sagittal 60°).

During the anterior tibial load, the femoral tunnel angle of ACLR knees at coronal 45°/sagittal 45° and 60° had significantly higher ATT than that of the ACL-intact knees at 60° of knee flexion (p < 0.05). The femoral tunnel angle of ACLR knees at coronal 45°/sagittal 60° had significantly lower graft in situ force than that of the ACL-intact knees at 60° and 90° of knee flexion (p < 0.05). During the valgus tibial moment, the femoral tunnel angle of ACLR knees at coronal 45°/sagittal 45° and 60° had significantly lower graft in situ force than that of the ACL-intact knees at all knee flexions (p < 0.05).

The femoral tunnel angle of ACLR knees at coronal 45°/sagittal 45° provided similar ATT, valgus angle and graft in situ force to that of ACLR knees at coronal 45°/sagittal 60°. Therefore, both femoral tunnel angles could be used in ACLR, as the sagittal femoral tunnel angle does not appear to be relevant in post-operative knee stability.

Not applicable.

Badminton requires fast and pivoting movements, putting athletes at risk of sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The primary purpose is to investigate the return to sport (RTS) and the return to performance (RTP) after an ACL injury in elite badminton athletes. The secondary purpose is to describe ACL injury mechanisms in elite badminton players.

Athletes within the top 200 of the Badminton World Federation World Ranking who sustained an ACL injury between January 2001 and December 2021 were retrospectively included. An anonymous online survey was created in eight languages. RTS, RTP and contributing factors were analysed among athletes aiming to RTP. The injury mechanism was analysed in all participants.

Sixty-six athletes from 32 countries were included. Fifty-seven athletes (86.4%) aimed to RTP. Forty-eight out of 57 (84.2%) did RTS. Twenty-nine (50.9%) managed to successfully RTP. Forty-nine (74.2%) of ACL injuries occurred during a competition, 14 (21.2%) occured during training. Thirty-one (49.2%) occurred in the rear court backhand side and 47 (74.6%) occurred during landing after a jump.

Forty-eight out of 57 (84.2%) athletes managed to RTS. Half of the athletes managed to successfully RTP. Most of the ACL injuries occurred during competition, in the rear court backhand side and during landing after a jump.

Level III.