Benedict Nwachukwu, MD, of New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery, and colleagues examined 232 patients with a mean age of 26.7 years. Researchers included patients in an institutional ACL registry. The researchers tracked the patients for a minimum of two years. Researchers administered a survey to eligible athletes. Approximately 231 patients responded to the return-to-play question.
Here’s what they found.
1. Of respondents, 201 returned to play at a mean 10.1 months.
2. Of 175 athletes eligible to return to their prior level of competition, 89.1 percent had done so.
3. Patients satisfaction was high. Approximately 85.4 percent were very satisfied and 98.1 percent said they would have surgery again.
4. Patients were more likely to be very satisfied if they returned to play.
5. Patellar tendons increased return to play rates. However playing soccer or lacrosse decreased the likelihood of returning to play.
Researchers concluded, “The rates of return to play and patient satisfaction are high after ACLR in active athletes. The use of patellar tendon autograft increased the likelihood of returning to play whereas preinjury participation in soccer and lacrosse decreased these odds.”
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