title: Return to work in miners following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the study is retrospectively investigated durations for returning to work following anatomic ACL reconstruction by hamstring autograft in miners and the reasons in patients who were delayed to return to work.
  
  
  METHODS
  Miners with symptomatic anterior cruciate ligament rupture underwent arthroscopic reconstruction. Patients were evaluated in terms of range of motion (ROM) values; Lysholm, Cincinati and Tegner activity scales; laxity testing and complications. By modifying the method used by Fitzgerald et al. we decided for the criteria returning to work.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty three patients were evaluated with mean followup of 22.7 ± 8.3 months (range 13-46 months). Mean age at the surgery was 27.8 (18-38) years. Lysholm, Cincinati and Tegner activity scales were signifi cantly higher from preoperative scores (Lysholm scores: preoperative: 60.7 ± 12.5, postoperative: 90.3 ± 4.8 (P < 0.001); Tegner activity scores: Preoperative 3.5 ± 1.4, postoperative: 6.2 ± 1.5 (P < 0.001); Cincinati scores: Preoperative: 14.8 ± 5.3, postoperative: 26.9 ± 1.6 (P < 0.001). The average time for returning to work was determined as 15,3 ± 4 weeks. There was no significant difference for knee scores and time for returning to work between patients with meniscal injuries and don't have meniscus lesions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reasons for delays in returning to work was work accident. Hematoma or effusion and pain inside the knee were the most significant reason which affected returning to work.
authors.affiliation: Kirikkale University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Kirikkale, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ugur
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Tiftikci
authors.affiliation: Kirikkale University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Kirikkale, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sancar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Serbest
authors.affiliation: Mugla University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Mugla, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cem Yalin
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Kilinc
authors.affiliation: Hacettepe University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gül Öznur
authors.initials: GÖ
authors.lastname: Karabicak
authors.affiliation: Kirikkale University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Kirikkale, Turkey.
authors.forename: Özge
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Vergili
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / Q000379:methods*; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000067572:Miners; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D062707:Return to Work; D013997:Time Factors; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament; injury; knee; miner; reconstruction; return to work