In a recent study presented at the American Orthopaedic Society of Sports Medicine annual meeting, researchers examined the reoccurrence of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery in patients that had already undergone the procedure.
The study included 78 patients between the ages of 10 and 25 who had undergone ACL reconstructive surgery and 47 healthy, control group patients.
The study found:
• ACL reconstructive surgery patients are six times more likely to need the procedure again within 24 months than a person who has never had an ACL tear
• In the group of ACLR patients, females subjects were twice as likely to suffer an injury on the opposite leg
• 29.5 percent of athletes suffered a second ACL injury within 24 months of returning to activity
• 20.5 percent of the reinjuries were sustained on the opposite leg
• 23.7 percent of females suffered an opposite leg injury
• 10.5 percent of males suffered an opposite leg injury
• 9 percent of the reinjured subjects suffered a graft re-tear on the same leg
The study was led by Mark V. Paterno, PhD, PT, SCS, ATC, of the Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
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