POSTER ABSTRACTS - ISAKOS

E-poster w/ Standard #433
Factors Affecting Athletes Ability to Return to
Sports After Successful ACL Reconstruction
Alberto W. Gobbi, Milan, ITALY, Presenter
Ramces A. Francisco, Milan, ITALY
Matteo G. Vitali, Milan, ITALY
Arkadiusz P Koniarski, Milan, ITALY
OASI, Milan, ITALY
Objective
The purpose of this prospective investigation was
to determine the factors affecting the patients
ability to return to their previous levels of activity
following ACL reconstruction.
Materials and Methods
We investigated 100 athletes who underwent ACL
reconstruction with either patellar-tendon bone
graft (PT) (n=50) or quadrupled semitendinosus
graft (ST) (n=50). Evaluation was carried out preoperatively
and post-operatively [3, 6, 12 months
and at final evaluation, average of 4 years (3-6) ]
using standard knee rating scales (IKDC, Lysholm,
Noyes and Tegner). Pre-operative activity level
was determined and compared with activity at
final evaluation. Subjective evaluation was
obtained with Subjective Assessment Numeric
Evaluation (SANE) while activity level was scored
using the Marx scale. We also developed a
specific questionaire to establish patients’
psychological profile. Muscle strength was
analyzed with isokinetic tests while anterior tibial
translation was evaluated using a computerized
knee motion analyser (OSI CA 4000). Numeric
data gathered were then subjected to statistical
analysis using the U-Mann Whitney nonparametric
test.
Results
Sixty-five percent of our patients were able to
return to previous level of sports activity, 24%
changed sports and 11% completely ceased
sporting activities for different reasons. Knee
scores obtained revealed: IKDC (A-63%; B-34%; C-
2% and D-1%), Lysholm (90/100), Noyes (88/100),
Tegner (6/10) and SANE (85/100). No significant
difference was found between the 2 groups
(p>0.05). Initial Isokinetic tests in flexionextension
and internal-external rotation
demonstrated decreased quadriceps strength in
the patellar tendon group and slight decrease in
flexor strength in semitendinosus group. At 1 year
no correlation was observed between Isokinetic
data and among patients who returned to sports.
Computerized laxity test revealed 90% to have less
than 3 mm side-to-side difference. Mean scores
obtained from Marx scale demonstrated
statistically better scores in patients who returned
to their pre-injury activity level (p