Return to competition after ACL reconstruction: Factors influencing rates and timing in Swedish football players.

IF 3.3 2区医学 Q1 ORTHOPEDICS Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Pub Date : 2025-01-26 DOI:10.1002/ksa.12579

Alexander Sandon, Joanna Kvist, Henrik Hedevik, Magnus Forssblad

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose: 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.

Method: 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.

Results: 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).

Conclusion: 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 of evidence: Level III.

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来源期刊

Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy 医学-外科

CiteScore

8.10

自引率

18.40%

发文量

418

审稿时长

2 months

期刊介绍： Few other areas of orthopedic surgery and traumatology have undergone such a dramatic evolution in the last 10 years as knee surgery, arthroscopy and sports traumatology. Ranked among the top 33% of journals in both Orthopedics and Sports Sciences, the goal of this European journal is to publish papers about innovative knee surgery, sports trauma surgery and arthroscopy. Each issue features a series of peer-reviewed articles that deal with diagnosis and management and with basic research. Each issue also contains at least one review article about an important clinical problem. Case presentations or short notes about technical innovations are also accepted for publication. The articles cover all aspects of knee surgery and all types of sports trauma; in addition, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention, and all types of arthroscopy (not only the knee but also the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, ankle, etc.) are addressed. Articles on new diagnostic techniques such as MRI and ultrasound and high-quality articles about the biomechanics of joints, muscles and tendons are included. Although this is largely a clinical journal, it is also open to basic research with clinical relevance. Because the journal is supported by a distinguished European Editorial Board, assisted by an international Advisory Board, you can be assured that the journal maintains the highest standards. Official Clinical Journal of the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA).