Sex-Based Differences in Adult ACL Reconstruction Outcomes

In the setting of ever improving outcomes following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, both objectively and subjectively, there remains continued interest in better understanding the differences in outcomes between male and female patients. The current review investigates the recent literature surrounding the roles of biological sex in adult ACL reconstruction outcomes.

Within the past five years, the most prominent and recurrent difference between male and female patient cohorts is the subjective report of pain and function. Female patients have been consistently shown to have worse self-reported outcomes following ACL reconstruction. Specific and quantifiable subjective outcomes that are highlighted include the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score, the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS). Current research on the topic of biological sex-based differences in ACL reconstruction outcomes can be divided into four main categories: patient-reported subjective outcomes; physical assessment and gait analysis; kinematics; and rates of reinjury, revision, and contralateral reconstruction. This chapter provides a summary of recent literature focused on these four main areas of interest related to ACL reconstruction outcomes in males and females.