Patients that maintain their pre-injury level of physical activity 3–5 years after ACL reconstruction are, 18 months after surgery, characterised by higher levels of readiness to return to sport - Summary - MDSpire
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Patients that maintain their pre-injury level of physical activity 3–5 years after ACL reconstruction are, 18 months after surgery, characterised by higher levels of readiness to return to sport
To characterize patients who returned to their pre-injury physical activity (PA) or achieved higher levels of PA at 18 months post-ACL reconstruction and maintained that level of PA at 3-5 years, while also describing their PA participation during the early years post-rehabilitation.
Key Findings:
Patients who maintained their pre-injury PA levels exhibited higher readiness to return to sport 18 months post-surgery, highlighting the role of psychological factors.
Only about 50% of ACL reconstruction patients return to competitive sport, with two-thirds returning to pre-injury levels within 7 years, indicating a need for improved rehabilitation strategies.
Psychological factors such as lower fear of re-injury and higher self-efficacy are significantly associated with a successful return to sport.
Interpretation:
Maintaining pre-injury PA levels is crucial for psychological readiness and successful return to sport after ACL reconstruction, underscoring the importance of ongoing physical activity and tailored rehabilitation strategies.
Limitations:
The study may not account for all psychological factors influencing PA maintenance, which could affect the generalizability of the findings.
Exclusion of patients with new injuries may limit generalizability, as it does not reflect the broader population of ACL reconstruction patients.
Conclusion:
Patients who return to and maintain their pre-injury levels of physical activity after ACL reconstruction are characterized by greater psychological readiness to engage in sports, emphasizing the need for targeted rehabilitation strategies.
