Work

High risk of new knee injuries, lower activity level and reduced knee function: A controlled follow-up of male football (soccer) players 6–9 years after primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To study the risk of new knee injuries and patient-reported outcomes in male football players at any playing level 6-9 years after primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) versus knee-healthy controls. DESIGN: Cohort study. METHODS: Football players (n = 384) who underwent an ACLR between 1 and 3 years previously and knee-healthy controls (n = 110) were surveyed regarding football playing status, activity level (Tegner Activity Scale), knee function (0-10 scale), satisfaction with current activity level (1-10), satisfaction with knee function (1-7), and new knee injuries. RESULTS: Ninety-three players with ACLR and 63 knee-healthy controls were included and followed for mean 5.4 years (6-9 years after primary ACLR for players with ACLR). Thirty-four players with ACLR (37 %) had sustained a new ACL injury (re-rupture or contralateral rupture) versus 5 (8 %) controls. Players with ACLR had almost 5-fold higher risk of new ACL injury than controls (risk ratio, 4.61; 95 % confidence interval, 1.91-11.13; p < 0.001). Compared with controls, players with ACLR played football to a lower extent (27 % vs 65 %, p < 0.001) had a lower activity level (Tegner: median [interquartile range], 4 [6] vs 9 [5], p < 0.001), knee function (median, 8 [3] vs 9 [2], p < 0.001), and satisfaction with activity level (median, 7 [3] vs 8 [3], p = 0.014) and knee function (median, 2 [2] vs 1 [1], p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: One-third of male football players with ACLR sustained a new ACL injury within 6-9 years, with an almost 5-fold higher risk than controls. Players with ACLR had lower activity level and knee function and were less satisfied with knee function and activity level.

Source: Journal of science and medicine in sport

DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2025.03.016

Authors: Anne Fältström, Joanna Kvist, Martin Hägglund

Institutions: Linköping University, Ryhov Hospital Jönköping

Language: English

Topic: Knee injuries and reconstruction techniques

Subfield: Surgery

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,720