Return to full duty after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery in military personnel: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: A meta-analysis was carried out to evaluate the clinical-functional results of anterior cruciate ligament surgery in military population, as well as the complications associated with it.

Material and method: Three major database sources up to December 2022 (PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect) were searched for outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament surgery in military personnel. The systematic review was carried out following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses -PRISMA- standards, and the inclusion criteria following the PICO strategy. Data from included studies were analyzed using Review Manager 5.4 software.

Results: A total of 7 retrospective studies were selected. The general rate of return to full duty in military personnel was 62.3% (61.5% for the non-officer group vs. 68.3% for the officer group) without this difference being significant (p=0.92). The general rate of meniscal injury in the military was 58.8%, without this difference being significant (p=0.88). The homogeneity in both cases was good (I²=0%, p=0.99).

Conclusion: Return to full military duty can be used in the military population as a marker of success after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. It should be noted that a large number of military personnel experience permanent activity limitations that prevent full return to service.

Keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament; Ligamento cruzado anterior; Militar; Military; Reconstrucción; Reconstruction; Retorno a la actividad completa; Return to full duty.