Functional assessments for decision-making regarding return to sports following ACL reconstruction. Part II: clinical application of a new test battery.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to utilize a novel functional test system to facilitate determining the time of return to sports following ACL reconstruction.


METHODS
Sixty-nine patients with unilateral ACL reconstruction were included in this pilot study. All the patients performed a standardized test battery consisting of one- and two-legged stability tests, counter movement jumps, speedy jumps, plyometric jumps and a quick feed test. The first test was administered on average 170.7 ± 75.1 days post-operatively, and the retest was administered on average 239.1 ± 79.7 days post-operatively. The values of the subtests were compared with the normative data of healthy gender- and age-matched controls to determine the functional capacities of patients following ACL reconstruction.


RESULTS
After the first and second test, 15.9 and 17.4 % of the patients met the criteria for a "return to non-competitive sports". One patient fulfilled the criteria for a "return to competitive sports" after the second test battery. The most limiting factor was a poor LSI value of <90 % if the dominant leg was involved and <80 % if the non-dominant leg was involved.


CONCLUSIONS
This test battery demonstrates that, in terms of neuromuscular abilities, most patients, compared to healthy controls, are most likely not ready for a safe return to sports, even 8 months post-operatively. This should be considered in the future to determine when it is safe to return to sports and should avoid a premature return to competitive sports.


METHODS
III.
Department of Trauma Surgery and Sports Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck (MUI), Anichstraße 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.|Department of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, Technical University Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany.
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Herbst
Sportsclinic Austria, Olympiastraße 39, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Hoser
Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Fürtstenweg 185, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Hildebrandt
Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Fürtstenweg 185, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Raschner
OSM Research Foundation, Olympiastraße 39, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Hepperger
Sports Physiotherapy Mag. R. Huber, Steinbockallee 31, 6063, Neu-Rum, Austria.
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Pointner
Sportsclinic Austria, Olympiastraße 39, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria. christian.fink@sportsclinicaustria.com.|Research Unit for Orthopedic Sports Medicine and Injury Prevention, Institute for Sports Medicine, Alpine Medicine & Health Tourism/UMIT, Hall, Austria. christian.fink@sportsclinicaustria.com.
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Fink
D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003657:Decision Making; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D000068958:Return to Sport / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult