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. 2021 Jan 8;9(1):2325967120975751.
doi: 10.1177/2325967120975751. eCollection 2021 Jan.

Low Rate of Return to Preinjury Tegner Activity Level Among Recreational Athletes: Results at 1 Year After Primary ACL Reconstruction

Su-Hyun Kim  1 , Ja-Woon Lee  2 , Sang-Gyun Kim  3 , Hyun-Woo Cho  2 , Ji-Hoon Bae  2
Affiliations

Low Rate of Return to Preinjury Tegner Activity Level Among Recreational Athletes: Results at 1 Year After Primary ACL Reconstruction

Su-Hyun Kim et al. Orthop J Sports Med. .

Abstract

Background: There is limited information about the functional recovery and rate of return to preinjury levels of sports among recreational athletes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

Purpose: To investigate the recovery of quadriceps or hamstring strength, assess functional performance, and determine the rate of return to preinjury sports levels among recreational athletes at 1 year after ACLR.

Study design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods: A total of 91 recreational-level athletes who underwent anatomic single-bundle ACLR were enrolled. We evaluated the limb symmetry index (LSI) of the quadriceps and hamstring peak torque strength at 60°, in addition to hop test performance (single-leg, triple, crossover, and 6-m timed), patient-reported outcomes, and pre- versus postoperative Tegner activity levels. Outcomes were compared between younger (age <25 years) and older patients (age ≥25 years).

Results: There were 48 patients in the younger group and 43 patients in the older group. At 1-year follow-up, the overall LSIs for quadriceps strength and hamstring strength were 77% and 86%, respectively, and the LSIs of the hop tests were 79% for single-leg, 81% for triple, 84% for crossover, and 85% for 6-m timed hop. Overall, only 24% patients returned to their preinjury Tegner level, and only 8% of patients met the criteria for return to pivoting, cutting, and jumping sports. At 1-year follow-up, the younger group showed significantly more quadriceps strength than the older group (85% vs 64%; P = .0001), better single, triple, crossover, and 6-m timed hop test results (85% vs 69%, P = .003; 84% vs 75%, P = .046; 91% vs. 74%, P < .001; and 91% vs 76%, P = .003, respectively), higher Lysholm score (87 vs 74; P < 0.001) and International Knee Document Committee score (82 vs 66; P < .001), and a higher rate of return to preinjury Tegner level (35% vs 12%; P = .009).

Conclusion: Only 24% of patients returned to the preinjury Tegner level at 1 year after ACLR (35% younger group vs 12% older group; P = .009). This information might be helpful in setting realistic expectations for recreational athletes after surgery.

Keywords: anterior cruciate ligament; athlete; reconstruction; sports.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared that there are no conflicts of interest in the authorship and publication of this contribution. AOSSM checks author disclosures against the Open Payments Database (OPD). AOSSM has not conducted an independent investigation on the OPD and disclaims any liability or responsibility relating thereto.

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