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Return to play rates high among NCAA Division I female soccer players after ACL reconstruction
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Investigators of this study found high return-to-play rates after ACL reconstruction among collegiate female soccer players, especially those with athletic scholarships and those who underwent reconstruction early in their career.
Researchers contacted sports medicine and athletic training staff from 14 institutions in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Southeastern Conference. Investigators sent each institution a spreadsheet with instructions and response choices with regard to criteria for inclusion. Requested information on female soccer players who underwent ACL reconstruction during the past 8 years included athlete, injury, surgical technique and return-to-play data.
Investigators compared return-to-play rates with regard to players’ year in school, scholarship status, position, depth chart status, procedure, graft type and fixation, concomitant surgeries and prior ACL injuries.
Results showed 80 ACL injuries were reported and 79 ACL reconstruction procedures were performed. The overall return-to-play rate after ACL reconstruction for 78 athletes with such data was 85%. Investigators noted return-to-play rates were statistically higher among soccer players with eligibility in earlier years compared to those with later years of eligibility. The return-to-play rate was 40% in soccer players eligible in years 4 and 5. Athletes with scholarships had significantly higher return-to-play rates compared with those without scholarships (91% vs. 46%). Concomitant knee procedures, graft type and graft fixation did not show significant associations with return-to-play rates, according to researchers. ‒ by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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