Functional outcome of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in recreational and competitive athletes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the outcome after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in recreational and competitive athletes, with a minimum follow-up of two years. Forty-nine patients (24 males and 25 females) who, at the time of the index injury, were classified as recreational athletes (Tegner level 2-5) were compared with 226 patients (61 females and 165 males) who, at the time of the index injury, were classified as competitive athletes (Tegner level 9-10). At the follow-up, no significant differences were found between the study groups in terms of the Lysholm score, IKDC evaluation system, one-leg-hop test, KT-1000 laxity measurements, anterior knee pain and the patients' subjective evaluation of the results. However, the competitive athletes displayed a significantly higher reduction in Tegner activity level than the recreational athletes. The functional and objective results after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction were comparable for the recreational and competitive athletes. We, therefore, conclude that anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction could be recommended for recreational athletes as well as competitive athletes.

Anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency: does delay in index surgery affect outcome in recreational athletes

“…However, they found a decreased ultimate range of motion in the acute group as well as decreased quadriceps strength. In all these studies the patients were competitive athletes or had high professional motivations (pre-Injury Tegner activity level >7) [9,10].…”

“…Patients with a pre-injury Tegner activity level of 7 or above are defined as professional athletes [10]. Jerre et al [9], however, classed people with Tegner activity levels of 9-10 as competitive athletes.…”

“…There are not many studies that look at outcome in recreational athletes following surgery and the best treatment for recreational athletes is still disputed [9,15]. Patients with a pre-injury Tegner activity level of 7 or above are defined as professional athletes [10].…”

“…In most of these studies the patients were competitive athletes (pre-injury Tegner activity level >7) [7,10]. Not many studies comment on the outcome of late reconstruction in recreational athletes (pre-injury Tegner activity level <7) [9].…”

“…Various factors affecting the final outcome following reconstruction include the preoperative Tegner activity level of the patient [5,9], the age of the patient [2,15], the time of reconstruction (acute versus subacute) [6,7,10,12,17,18] and the associated multiple ligament injuries.…”