Return to Sports and Functional Outcome after Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Jamaica

Abstract

Objective: To assess the functional outcome and return to sports in athletes who had primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Method: A retrospective review of 35 consecutive patients who had surgery between 2005 and 2010 and a prospective review of 14 patients in 2011 were undertaken. The subjects were assessed using the Tegner-Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective and objective forms. Microsoft Excel 2007 and SPSS 18 were used for analysis. Results: The study population consisted of 78% men with an average age of 27.7 years at the time of surgery. Football and netball were the most common sports of which 74% were local competitors in Jamaica and the United States of America. There was an 85% good to excellent functional outcome. Eighty-two returned to sports and 66% of these persons did so in less than 12 months after surgery. However, only 57% returned to their pre-injury level of participation. Fear of re-injury was the main reason for not returning to sports. Conclusion: This study shows that most patients returned to sports after primary ACL reconstruction. However, few returned to their pre-injury participation level due to fear of re-injury.