Patient-reported function and psychological aspects, but not objectively assessed physical function, may impact return to sport within one year following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Abstract

Purpose: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a common sports-related injury with major consequences for the individual, such as impaired physical function, decreased quality of life, failure to return to sport and also a high risk of developing early-onset knee osteoarthritis. The main goal of rehabilitation following an ACL reconstruction (ACLR) is often return to sport. Despite this, many athletes never reach their pre-injury physical activity level. The main factors contributing to a failure of returning to sport after ACLR are however not entirely disentangled.