One Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury is enough! : Focus on female football players

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a severe and common injury, and females have 2-4 times higher injury risk compared to men. Return to sport (RTS) is a common goal after an ACL reconstruction (ACLR), but only about two thirds of patients RTS. Young patients who RTS may have a 30-40 times increased risk of sustaining an additional ACL injury to the ipsi- or contralateral knee compared with an uninjured person. Aims: The overall aim of this thesis was to increase the knowledge about female football players with ACLR, and patients with bilateral ACL injuries, and to identify predictors for additional ipsi- and/or contralateral ACLR. Methods: This thesis comprises four studies. Study I and II were cross-sectional, including females who sustained a primary ACL rupture while playing football and underwent ACLR 6–36 months prior to study inclusion. In study I, 182 females were included at a median of 18 months (IQR 13) after ACLR. All players completed a battery of questionnaires. Ninety-four players (52%) returned to football and were playing at the time of completing the questionnaires, and 88 (48%) had not returned. In study II, 77 of the 94 active female football players (from study I) with an ACLR and 77 kneehealthy female football players were included. A battery of tests was used to assess postural control (the Star excursion balance test) and hop performance (the one-leg hop for distance, the five jump test and the side hop). Movement asymmetries in the lower limbs and trunk were assessed with the drop vertical jump and the tuck jump using two-dimensional analyses. Study III, was a cohort study including all patients with a primary ACLR (n=22,429) registered in the Swedish national ACL register between January 2005 and February 2013. Data extracted from the register to identify predictors for additional ACLR were: patient age at primary ACLR, sex, activity performed at the time of ACL injury, primary injury to the right- or left knee, time between injury and primary ACLR, presence of any concomitant injuries, graft type, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and Euroqol Index Five Dimensions measured pre-operatively. Study IV was cross-sectional. In this study, patient-reported knee function, quality of life and activity level in 66 patients with bilateral ACL injuries was investigated and outcomes were compared with 182 patients with unilateral ACLR. Results: Factors associated with returning to football in females were; short time between injury and ACLR (0–3 months, OR 5.6; 3–12 months OR 4.7 vs. reference group >12 months) and high motivation (study I). In all functional tests, the reconstructed and uninvolved limbs did not differ, and players with ACLR and controls differed only minimally. Nine to 49% of the players with ACLR and controls had side-to-side differences and movement asymmetries and only one fifth had results that met the recommended guidelines for successful outcome on all the different tests (study II). Main predictors for revision and contralateral ACLR were younger age (fourfold increased rate for <16 vs. >35-year-old patients), having ACLR early after the primary injury (two to threefold increased rate for ACLR within 3 months vs. >12 months), and incurring the primary injury while playing football (study III). Patients with bilateral ACL injuries reported poorer knee function and quality of life compared to those who had undergone unilateral ACLR. They had a high activity level before their first and second ACL injuries but an impaired activity level at follow-up after their second injury (study IV). Conclusions: Female football players who returned to football after an ACLR had high motivation and had undergone ACLR within one year after injury. Players with ACLR had similar functional performance to healthy controls. Movement asymmetries, which in previous studies have been associated with increased risk for primary and secondary ACL injury, occurred to a high degree in both groups. The rate of additional ACLR seemed to be increased in a selected group of young patients who desire to return to strenuous sports like football quickly after primary ACLR. Sustaining a contralateral ACL injury led to impaired knee function and activity level

Factors associated with playing football after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in female football players.

This study investigated whether player-related factors (demographic, personality, or psychological factors) or the characteristics of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury were associated with the return to playing football in females after ACL reconstruction (ACLR). We also compared current knee function, knee related quality of life and readiness to return to sport between females who returned to football and those who had not returned. Females who sustained a primary ACL rupture while playing football and underwent ACLR 6-36 months ago were eligible. Of the 460 contacted, 274 (60%) completed a battery of questionnaires, and 182 were included a median of 18 months (IQR 13) after ACLR. Of these, 94 (52%) returned to football and were currently playing, and 88 (48%) had not returned. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified two factors associated with returning to football: short time between injury and ACLR (0-3 months, OR 5.6; 3-12 months OR 4.7 vs reference group &gt; 12 months) and high motivation. Current players showed higher ratings for current knee function, knee-related quality of life, and psychological readiness to return to sport (P &lt; 0.001). Undergoing ACLR sooner after injury and high motivation to return to sports may impact a player's return to football after ACLR.Funding agencies:The authors acknowledge statistician Henrik Magnusson. The study was supported financially by Futurum-The Academy for Healthcare, Jonkoping County Council, the Medical Research Council of Southeast Sweden, the Faculty of Health Sciences at Linkoping University, and the Swedish National Centre for Research in Sports (CIF).</p

High Risk of New Knee Injuries in Female Soccer Players After Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction at 5-to 10-Year Follow-up

Background: A new anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury after ACL reconstruction is a feared outcome. Purpose: To study the risk of new knee injuries in female soccer players 5 to 10 years after primary unilateral ACL reconstruction and to compare players who returned to soccer with (1) players who did not return and (2) knee-healthy soccer players (controls). Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Demographic, soccer-specific, and surgical data were recorded at baseline for 317 female soccer players (mean +/- SD age, 20.1 +/- 2.7 years) 1.6 +/- 0.7 years after ACL reconstruction and for 119 matched controls (mean age, 19.5 +/- 2.5 years). Data on new knee injuries and soccer-playing status were collected 5 to 10 years after ACL reconstruction via a questionnaire. Results: Among players with ACL reconstruction, 222 (70%) responded at a mean 6.5 +/- 1.0 years after primary ACL reconstruction. We compared 3 cohorts: (1) among 163 players with ACL reconstruction who returned to soccer, 68 (42%) sustained 44 reruptures and 29 contralateral ruptures; (2) among 59 players with ACL reconstruction who did not return to soccer, 11 (19%) sustained 9 reruptures and 2 contralateral ruptures; and (3) among 113 knee-healthy controls, 12 (11%) sustained 13 ACL injuries. Players who returned had a &amp;gt;2-fold higher risk of a new ACL injury than players who did not return (risk ratio, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.27-3.93; P = .005) and a 4-fold higher risk than controls (risk ratio, 3.93; 95% CI, 2.23-6.91; P &amp;lt;.001). A new ACL, meniscal, or cartilage injury was the most frequent new knee injury. Among players who returned to soccer, 68% reported a new knee injury, and they had a 2- to 5-times higher risk of any new knee injury and knee surgery than players who did not return and controls. Conclusion: Two-thirds of female soccer players with ACL reconstruction who returned to soccer sustained a new knee injury within 5 to 10 years; 42% had a new ACL injury. Their risk of a new knee injury and knee surgery was 2 to 5 times greater than that for players who did not return and for knee-healthy controls. New injury may have negative consequences for long-term knee health and should be a critical consideration in the decision to return to play

Patient-Reported Knee Function, Quality of Life, and Activity Level After Bilateral Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries

Background: About 12% of patients who have undergone primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction sustain a contralateral ACL injury within 5 years. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanPurpose: To investigate patient-reported knee function, quality of life, and activity level in patients with bilateral ACL injuries. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanStudy Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanMethods: A search of hospital records identified 147 patients, aged 18 to 45 years, with bilateral ACL injuries. Of these, 83 met the inclusion criteria, having had their first ACL injury up to 12 years ago with no other major injuries to the knee joint. Sixty-six of these patients (80% of total; 47% female; mean age, 29.1 7.2 years) answered a questionnaire packet. Patients who had undergone unilateral ACL reconstruction (n = 182) were used for comparison. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanResults: Patients with bilateral ACL injuries had a median Lysholm knee score of 82 (range, 34-100). The mean EuroQol index (EQ-5D) score of the overall health status was 0.77 +/- 0.22, and the mean EQ-5D visual analog scale score was 75.5 +/- 17.6. The median Tegner activity level was 9 (range, 1-9) before any injuries, 7 (range, 1-9) before the second ACL injury, and 4 (range, 1-9) at the time of follow-up. The activity level before the second injury was higher compared with the follow-up for patients who had undergone unilateral ACL reconstruction. At follow-up, 23% of the patients with bilateral ACL injuries returned to their previous activity, and 12% of patients returned to the same level as before their injuries compared with 43% (P = .004) and 28% (P = .01) in patients who had undergone unilateral ACL reconstruction, respectively. Patients with bilateral ACL injuries had significantly lower values in the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) subscales for pain, function in sports and recreation, and knee-related quality of life as well as the ACL Deficiency Quality of Life (ACL-QOL) score compared with patients who had undergone unilateral ACL reconstruction. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanConclusion: Patients with bilateral ACL injuries reported poorer knee function and quality of life compared with those who had undergone unilateral ACL reconstruction. Their activities had changed, and they were dissatisfied with their current activity level. They had a high activity level before their first and second ACL injuries but an impaired activity level after their contralateral injury at follow-up.Funding Agencies|Futurum-The Academy for Healthcare, Jonkoping County Council||Medical Research Council of Southeast Sweden||Faculty of Health Sciences at Linkoping University||Swedish National Centre for Research in Sports||</p

The effect of early physiotherapy after an acute ankle sprain

Ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries treated in emergency departments (ED). In clinical practice, these injuries are expected to heal by themselves, often without any treatment other than short information about the RICE regime (rest, ice, compression and elevation). Still, remaining symptoms are reported to occur in 30% of the cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of early physiotherapy intervention after an acute ankle sprain. Sixty-five patients were recruited from the ED at a general hospital in Sweden (mean age 35 years; 30 women), and allocated into an intervention group with early physiotherapy or a control group. Both groups were evaluated 6 weeks and 3 months after their injury. As primary outcome, the disease-specific Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) was used. The patients also rated their physical activity ability and how satisfied they were with their ankle on a visual analogue scale (VAS). The intervention group made significant improvements compared with the control group at both evaluations measured with FAOS and the VAS questions. These findings indicate that early physiotherapy intervention has a positive effect on patient-focused foot and ankle function after an acute ankle sprain. © 2010 Informa UK Ltd.Cited By :5; Export Date: 12 November 2018; Article; CODEN: APDHA; Correspondence Address: Hultman, K.; Department of Physiotherapy, Ryhov County Hospital, S-551 85 Jönköping, Sweden; email: [email protected]</p

Functional Performance Among Active Female Soccer Players After Unilateral Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Compared With Knee-Healthy Controls

Background: Good functional performance with limb symmetry is believed to be important to minimize the risk of injury after a return to pivoting and contact sports after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Purpose: This study aimed to investigate any side-to-side limb differences in functional performance and movement asymmetries in female soccer players with a primary unilateral anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)–reconstructed knee and to compare these players with knee-healthy controls from the same soccer teams. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: This study included 77 active female soccer players at a median of 18 months after ACLR (interquartile range [IQR], 14.5 months; range, 7-39 months) and 77 knee-healthy female soccer players. The mean age was 20.1 ± 2.3 years for players with an ACL-reconstructed knee and 19.5 ± 2.2 years for controls. We used a battery of tests to assess postural control (Star Excursion Balance Test) and hop performance (1-legged hop for distance, 5-jump test, and side hop). Movement asymmetries in the lower limbs and trunk were assessed with the drop vertical jump and the tuck jump using 2-dimensional analyses. Results: The reconstructed and uninvolved limbs did not differ in any of the tests. In the 5-jump test, players with an ACL-reconstructed knee performed worse than controls (mean 8.75 ± 1.05 m vs 9.09 ± 0.89 m; P = .034). On the drop vertical jump test, the ACL-reconstructed limb had significantly less knee valgus motion in the frontal plane (median 0.028 m [IQR, 0.049 m] vs 0.045 m [IQR, 0.043 m]; P = .004) and a lower probability of a high knee abduction moment (pKAM) (median 69.2% [IQR, 44.4%] vs 79.8% [IQR, 44.8%]; P = .043) compared with the control players’ matched limb (for leg dominance). Results showed that 9% to 49% of players in both groups performed outside recommended guidelines on the different tests. Only 14 players with an ACL-reconstructed knee (18%) and 15 controls (19%) had results that met the recommended guidelines for all 5 tests (P = .837). Conclusion: The reconstructed and uninvolved limbs did not differ, and players with an ACL-reconstructed knee and controls differed only minimally on the functional performance tests, indicating similar function. It is worth noting that many players with an ACL-reconstructed knee and controls had movement asymmetries and a high pKAM pattern, which have previously been associated with an increased risk for both primary and secondary ACL injury in female athletes.Funding agencies: Futurum the Academy for Healthcare; Region Jonkoping County; Medical Research Council of Southeast Sweden; Faculty of Health Sciences at Linkoping University; Swedish Research Council for Sport Science; Swedish Football Association</p

Female Soccer Players With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Have a Higher Risk of New Knee Injuries and Quit Soccer to a Higher Degree Than Knee-Healthy Controls

Background: Many patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction who return to sport suffer new ACL injuries or quit sports soon after returning. Purpose: To prospectively follow a cohort of female soccer players with primary unilateral ACL reconstruction and matched knee-healthy controls from the same soccer teams to compare (1) the rate of new traumatic and nontraumatic knee injuries and other injuries, (2) the proportion of players who quit soccer, and (3) player-reported activity level and satisfaction with activity level and knee function. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A total of 117 active female soccer players (mean ± SD age, 19.9 ± 2.5 years) 18.9 ± 8.7 months after ACL reconstruction and 119 knee-healthy female soccer players (19.5 ± 2.5 years) matched from the same teams were prospectively followed for 2 years for new knee injuries, other injuries, soccer playing level, activity level according to the Tegner Activity Scale, and satisfaction with activity level and knee function. Results: Players with ACL reconstruction had a higher rate of new ACL injuries (n = 29 vs 8; 19 vs 4 per 100 player years; rate ratio [RR], 4.82; 95% CI, 2.20-10.54; P &lt; .001), other traumatic knee injuries (29 vs 16 per 100 player years; RR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.16-2.93; P &lt; .01), and nontraumatic knee injuries (33 vs 9 per 100 player years; RR, 3.62; 95% CI, 2.11-6.21; P &lt; .001) as compared with controls. There was no difference in the rate of other (not knee) injuries (43 vs 48 per 100 player years; RR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.65-1.23; P = .494). During the 2-year follow-up, 72 (62%) players with ACL reconstruction quit soccer, as opposed to 43 (36%) controls (P = .001). The median Tegner Activity Scale score decreased in both groups (P &lt; .001) but more for the ACL-reconstructed group (P &lt; .015). Conclusion: Female soccer players with ACL reconstruction had nearly a 5-fold-higher rate of new ACL injuries and a 2- to 4-fold-higher rate of other new knee injuries, quit soccer to a higher degree, and reduced their activity level to a greater extent as compared with knee-healthy controls

Comparison of Knee Function and Activity Level Between Bilateral and Unilateral ACL Reconstruction : A Matched-Group Analysis With Minimum 5-Year Follow-up

Background: There is a lack of knowledge regarding knee function and activity level after bilateral anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) at midterm follow-up. Purpose: To compare activity level, patient-reported knee function, and quality of life in patients with bilateral ACLR and matched controls with unilateral ACLR at a minimum 5-year follow-up. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Patients with bilateral ACLR who were aged &amp;lt;= 40 years and had a second ACLR performed between 2010 and 2015 were identified in the authors local database. Surgical data and preoperative Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) were extracted. The patients were sent a letter with questionnaires including the KOOS, EuroQol 5-Dimensions (EQ-5D), and EuroQol visual analog scale (EQ-VAS) and were asked study-specific questions by telephone regarding activity level and knee function at a minimum 5-year follow-up. For every patient with bilateral ACLR, a control matched for age +/- 2 years, sex, year ACLR was performed, and preinjury activity level or sport at the time of injury were identified in the database. Results: A total of 98 patients (mean age +/- SD, 33.3 +/- 7.3 years) with bilateral ACLR and 98 patients with unilateral ACLR (mean age +/- SD, 33.1 +/- 7.7 years) were included. The mean postoperative follow-up was 7.6 +/- 1.8 years (from the second ACLR) for patients with bilateral ACLR and 7.8 +/- 1.7 years for patients with unilateral ACLR. Patients with bilateral ACLR reported lower scores on all KOOS subscales, the EQ-5D, and the EQ-VAS at follow-up (P &amp;lt; .05). There was no difference in activity level between the groups at follow-up, but patients with bilateral ACLR were less satisfied with their activity level and knee function (P &amp;lt; .05). Conclusion: Patient-reported knee function and health-related quality of life were inferior in patients with bilateral ACLR compared with patients with unilateral ACLR. Patients with bilateral ACLR cannot expect the same knee function and quality of life as patients with unilateral ACLR