title: Return to sport after ACL reconstruction: a survey between the Italian Society of Knee, Arthroscopy, Sport, Cartilage and Orthopaedic Technologies (SIGASCOT) members.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A worldwide consensus for timing and criteria for return to sport after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is lacking. The aim of the study was to survey among the Italian Society of Knee, Arthroscopy, Sport, Cartilage and Orthopaedic Technologies (SIGASCOT) members in order to evaluate their approaches to the return to sport after ACL reconstruction regarding timing and criteria.
  
  
  METHODS
  A web survey among the SIGASCOT members was performed, including 14 questions regarding technical and graft preferences, timing for return to training and competitive activity for contact and non-contact sports and criteria to allow return to sport.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Totally, 123 members completed the questionnaire. Return to training sports was allowed within 6 month by 87 % for non-contact sports and by 53 % for contact sports. Return to competitive activity was allowed within 6 months by 48 % for non-contact sports and by 13 % for contact sports. Full ROM (77 %), Lachman test (65 %) and Pivot-Shift test (65 %) were the most used criteria to allow return to sport. The 90 % used at least one clinical score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The SIGASCOT members showed various approaches in the return to sport after ACL reconstruction, with differences between return to training or competitive activity, and between contact and non-contact sports. Six months was generally considered adequate by most of the members for the most demanding activities. The most used criteria to allow return to sport were manual testing. A clear definition of sport activities and more objective criteria for the return to sport are needed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level V, expert opinion.
authors.affiliation: IIa Clinica Ortopedica e Traumatologica, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via Pupilli 1, 40136, Bologna, Italy. alberto.grassi3@studio.unibo.it.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grassi
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic and Traumatology Department, Oderzo Hospital, Oderzo, Treviso, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vascellari
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic and Traumatology Department, Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Combi
authors.affiliation: Isokinetic Medical Group, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tomaello
authors.affiliation: Centre of Sports Traumatology, Koelliker Hospital, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Gian Luigi
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Canata
authors.affiliation: IIa Clinica Ortopedica e Traumatologica, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via Pupilli 1, 40136, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zaffagnini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / Q000379:methods / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D020127:Recovery of Function; D000068958:Return to Sport / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013177:Sports / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: ACL reconstruction; Criteria; Rehabilitation; Return to sport