Protracted Cardiovascular Impairments After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: A Critically Appraised Topic

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Cardiovascular Health

Background:

• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are significant knee injuries with long-term consequences, including osteoarthritis and reduced physical activity.
• Reduced physical activity is a known risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if individuals with a history of ACL injury exhibit negative cardiovascular changes compared to those without a history of ACL injury.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of three studies, including two cross-sectional studies and one qualitative survey study.
• Studies compared cardiovascular parameters, physical activity levels, and health outcomes between ACL-injured and control groups.

Main Results:

• Individuals with a history of ACL injury demonstrated less efficient cardiovascular systems, including lower maximum oxygen consumption and reduced daily step counts.
• A survey of retired NFL athletes with ACL injuries showed increased rates of arthritis, knee replacement, and myocardial infarction compared to controls.

Conclusions:

• ACL injury is associated with impaired physical activity, which negatively impacts cardiovascular health.
• There is a need for increased focus on cardiovascular wellness in individuals with a history of ACL injury.