Return to sports after ACL reconstruction surgery: A risk for further joint injury?

Abstract

An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear usually causes long layoff from sport, and return to sports is often used as a measure of successful outcome after ACL reconstruction. Recent studies on different team sports have shown between 63 and 100 % return to sports rates. However, return to sports following ACL reconstruction is not uncomplicated and is associated with a high risk of incurring a new ipsilateral or contralateral ACL tear as well as other knee injuries. There is also a considerable risk of developing premature osteoarthritis (OA) after an ACL tear. More attention should therefore be paid to the risks of reinjury or other subsequent knee injuries as well as early development of OA when giving the athlete advice on return to sports after ACL tear.