Objectives: To examine the associations between return to pivoting sport
following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and knee
osteoarthritis (OA), self-reported knee symptoms, function, and quality of life
after 15 years.
Methods: Study sample included 258 participants with ACLR 15 years
previously. Return to pivoting sport (handball, soccer, and basketball) data were
collected by interviews, and symptomatic OA was defined as Kellgren-Lawrence
grade ≥2 plus almost daily knee pain in the last month. Self-reported symptoms,
function and quality-of-life were assessed with the Knee Injury and
Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Adjusted regression models were used to
analyze the associations between return to pivoting sport and OA (present or
not), and self-reported outcomes. P-values ≤ 0.05 were considered statistically
significant.
Results: Two hundred and ten (81%) participants (57% men) with mean age
39.1 (±8.7) years completed the 15-year follow-up, and 109 (52%) had returned
to pivoting sport. Returning to pivoting sport was associated with less
symptomatic OA (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.09, 0.89) and radiographic OA (OR 0.40,
95% CI 0.17, 0.98), adjusted for age, sex, combined injury, self-reported knee
function, and time between injury and surgery. Those who returned to pivoting
sport had better function in activities of daily living (ADL).
Conclusion: The participants with ACLR who returned to pivoting sport had
lower odds of knee OA, and better self-reported ADL function. Further
investigation is required to understand the clinical significance of these findings.