Researchers analyzed the re-injury rate of young patients receiving anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, in a study published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine.
The study involved 354 patients younger than 20 years old. The researchers determined subsequent ACL injuries at a mean follow-up of five years. The study also compared the patients in sex and age subgroups.
Here are five takeaways:
1. The study revealed an overall follow-up rate of 89 percent.
2. Fifty-seven patients experienced graft ruptures about 1.8 years following surgery. Forty-seven percent of these injuries occurred within first postoperative year.
3. Males younger than 18 years old experienced the highest graft rupture rate of 28.3 percent. Females younger than 18 experienced a 12.9 percent graft rupture rate.
4. Fifty-six patients suffered contralateral ACL injuries at about 3.7 years following surgery. Researchers found age and sex did not correlate with contralateral ACL injuries.
5. Of the patients, 35 percent experienced at least one further ACL injury following initial surgery.