Abstract
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.
Keywords
knee - anterior cruciate ligament - reconstruction - instability - athlete