A COMPARISON OF RETURN-TO-PLAY RATES IN DIFFERENT ELITE SPORTS AFTER PRIMARY AUTOGRAFT ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionThe study aims were to demonstrate rates, level, and time taken to RTP in elite sports after ACL reconstruction (ACL-R) and compare football and rugby.MethodsA retrospective review of a consecutive series of ACL-R between 2005 and 2019 was undertaken. Patients were included if they were elite athletes and were a minimum of 2 years post primary autograft ACL-R. The outcomes measured were return to play (RTP), (defined as participation in a professional match or in national/ international level amateur competition), time to RTP after surgery, and RTP level (Tegner score).ResultsThree hundred and ninety four elite athletes with 420 ACL-Rs (235 in footballers, 125 in rugby players and 60 in other sports) were included. 95.7% of all athletes returned to competition at a mean of 10.3 months after ACL-R with 90.1% at the same / higher level. There was no difference in RTP rates between rugby and football. Rugby players RTP faster than footballers (9.6 vs 10.6 months, (p=0.027). Overall re-rupture rate within 2 years was 6.4% but not significantly different between football (8.1%) and rugby (7.2%).Footballers were more likely to rupture their ACL during jumping / landing manoeuvres and to receive a PT graft than rugby players. There were no significant differences between football and rugby regarding patient characteristics, intraoperative findings and re-operation rates.ConclusionOver 95% of all elite athletes RTP after primary ACL-R with 90% able to play at the same level. Rugby players RTP significantly faster than footballers.