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Increased rate of graft retear, contralateral ACL injury found among female soccer vs non-soccer players
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Following ACL reconstruction, female soccer players had an increased rate of graft retear and contralateral ACL injury compared with non-soccer female athletes, according to results.
Researchers used Lysholm and IKDC scores to collect clinical outcomes for 90 female soccer players who underwent a primary ACL reconstruction between 1998 and 2013. Researchers matched soccer players to 90 non-soccer female athletes for age, activity level and graft type. Investigators followed all patients for a mean of 68.8 months postoperatively.
When looking at both graft failures and contralateral ACL tears, investigators found soccer players had an overall second ACL injury rate of 28% vs. 5% among non-soccer players. Researchers also found 74% of athletes returned to competitive soccer after ACL reconstruction. While researchers noted a significantly higher rate of graft tears among athletes who returned to soccer vs. athletes who did not return to soccer, there was no significant difference between the return and non-return-to-sport groups regarding contralateral ACL tears. According to results, increasing age in soccer players was significantly associated with graft failure. At final follow-up, soccer players and non-soccer players had similar mean Lysholm and IKDC scores. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosures: Allen reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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