Qualitative and quantitative return-to-sport test battery and second anterior cruciate ligament injury risk factors

To determine risk factors for second anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury following primary ACL reconstruction (ACLR) using return-to-sport (RTS) tests consisting of qualitative and quantitative measures in young athletes.

A case-control study design was used, and a retrospective review of adolescent athletes after primary ACLR was performed. All athletes completed an RTS test consisting of qualitative and quantitative assessments and psychological assessments with the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia. Athlete demographics, surgical characteristics and sports participation were also examined. A binary logistic regression was performed to verify an independent association between risk factors and second ACL injury using adjusted OR (aORs), 95% CI and p<0.05.

In 72 eligible athletes, 12 (16.7%) suffered a second ACL injury. The mean Tegner activity level was 8.4+1.1, and the mean time from ACLR to RTS test completion was 10.4+2.9 months. One variable that showed the lowest p-value in the preliminary analysis was entered into the binary logistic regression model, which resulted in that qualitative assessment of knee valgus during the sidestep cut was associated with second ACL injury (aOR=4.64, 95% CI: 1.18 to 18.23, p=0.03).

Athletes who demonstrated excessive dynamic knee valgus on the involved limb during the sidestep cut were approximately 4.6 times more likely to suffer a second ACL injury.