Functional outcome of multiligamentous knee injuries treated arthroscopically in active duty soldiers.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate variables unique to our military population to determine whether we can be better predict functional outcome and return to duty of active duty military soldiers with multiligament knee disruption following arthroscopically assisted reconstruction.


METHODS
Twenty-four active duty Army personnel who underwent arthroscopically assisted reconstruction of multiple ligament disruption by the same surgeon were enrolled in this study. Postoperatively, a standardized knee joint questionnaire was administered and current vocational and recreational status was evaluated. Demographic data as well as military-specific factors to include rank, military occupation specialty, associated injuries, and retention on active duty were reviewed for these patients to determine their correlation with outcome.


RESULTS
Overall, 13 (54%) remained on active duty following surgical reconstruction of their knee. There was a positive correlation between military rank and return to military duty. We were unable to correlate physical job demand to postinjury duty status. The Cincinnati Knee Ligament Rating Scale indicated that most soldiers were able to perform sports at "half speed", with "some limits" in daily living function scores.


CONCLUSIONS
Arthroscopically assisted multiligament knee reconstruction enabled only a slight majority of active duty soldiers to return to duty following reconstruction and rehabilitation of this devastating injury.
Ross
Amy E
AE
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Avenue, Washington, DC 20307, USA.
Taylor
Kenneth F
KF
Kirk
Kevin L
KL
Murphy
Kevin P
KP
D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome