Return-to-sport status after ACL reconstruction
Fear of reinjury and lack of confidence influence return-to-sport outcomes after ACL- reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to compare factors as physical impairement, functional recovery and psychological recovery within subgroups.The findings may help clinicians in identifyning factors that may influence return-to-sport outcomes, and indicate intervention strategies that may improve return-to-sport outcome.
The study found that psychologically informed interventions is an intervention to be considered for patients with elevated fear of reinjury/lack of confidence. Quadriceps strength deficits may be important for improving confidence and knee-related function. Maximizing quadriceps muscle strength relative to body weight may be more important than comparing with oppposite extremity.
The study concludes that elevated pain-related fear of movement/reinjury, quadriceps weakness, and reduced International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective form score distinguish patients who are unable to return to preinjury sports participation because of fear of reinjury/lack of confidence. Despite low average pain ratings, fear of pain may influence function. Assessment at 6 months may help identify patients at risk for not returning to sports at 1 year.
> From: Lentz et al., Am J Sports Med 43 (2015) 345-353. All rights reserved to The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. Click here for the Pubmed summary.
