2015 ISAKOS Biennial Congress ePoster #1244

Return to Sport After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Professional Soccer Players

Stefano Zaffagnini, MD, Prof., Bologna ITALY
Alberto Grassi, PhD, Bologna ITALY
Giulio Maria Marcheggiani Muccioli, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Bologna ITALY
Stefano Della Villa, MD, Bologna, BO ITALY
Maurilio Marcacci, MD, Milano, Milano ITALY

Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, ITALY

FDA Status Cleared

Summary: Non-anatomical double-bundle ACL reconstruction allowed 71% of professional male soccer players to return to play competitive soccer at 4-year follow-up.

Rate:

Abstract:

Purpose

To investigate time to return to sport and rate of professional sport activity in a homogenous group of competitive soccer players 4years after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and rehabilitation.

Methods

Twenty-one male professional soccer players (mean age 22.9±5.4years) underwent non-anatomical double-bundle autologous hamstring ACL reconstruction and followed the same rehabilitative protocol. Clinical evaluation was performed preoperatively and at 3, 6 and 12-month follow-up. Data regarding return to train and official match, sport activity, complications and revision surgeries were collected at 4-year follow-up.

Results

Laxity test (KT-2000) and total KOOS mean score resulted in a significant improvement from the preoperative status to the 12-month follow-up (p<0.0001). The KOOS mean value showed a significant progressive improvement from the preoperative status to 6-month follow-up (p=0.0010) as well, while values collected at 6 and 12-month follow-up were comparable (p=0.2349). Returned to official matches 186±53days after surgery. After 12months, 95% came back to the same activity level performed before injury. Four years after ACL reconstruction, 15 patients (71%) were still playing competitive soccer. One patient (5%) underwent ACL failure and subsequent revision.

Conclusions

The ACL reconstruction with the presented technique followed by patient-tailored rehabilitation, allowed 95% and 62% professional male soccer players to return to the same sport activity 1year and 4years after surgery respectively. However, 71% were still able to play competitive soccer at final follow-up. Clinical scores were restored after 6months. Level of evidence: IV, case series