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Return to sport after ACL reconstruction: a survey between the Italian Society of Knee, Arthroscopy, Sport, Cartilage and Orthopaedic Technologies (SIGASCOT) members

  • Original Article • KNEE - SPORT
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European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

A worldwide consensus for timing and criteria for return to sport after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is lacking. The aim of the study was to survey among the Italian Society of Knee, Arthroscopy, Sport, Cartilage and Orthopaedic Technologies (SIGASCOT) members in order to evaluate their approaches to the return to sport after ACL reconstruction regarding timing and criteria.

Methods

A web survey among the SIGASCOT members was performed, including 14 questions regarding technical and graft preferences, timing for return to training and competitive activity for contact and non-contact sports and criteria to allow return to sport.

Results

Totally, 123 members completed the questionnaire. Return to training sports was allowed within 6 month by 87 % for non-contact sports and by 53 % for contact sports. Return to competitive activity was allowed within 6 months by 48 % for non-contact sports and by 13 % for contact sports. Full ROM (77 %), Lachman test (65 %) and Pivot-Shift test (65 %) were the most used criteria to allow return to sport. The 90 % used at least one clinical score.

Conclusion

The SIGASCOT members showed various approaches in the return to sport after ACL reconstruction, with differences between return to training or competitive activity, and between contact and non-contact sports. Six months was generally considered adequate by most of the members for the most demanding activities. The most used criteria to allow return to sport were manual testing. A clear definition of sport activities and more objective criteria for the return to sport are needed.

Level of evidence

Level V, expert opinion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IIa Clinica Ortopedica e Traumatologica, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via Pupilli 1, 40136, Bologna, Italy

    Alberto Grassi & Stefano Zaffagnini

  2. Orthopaedic and Traumatology Department, Oderzo Hospital, Oderzo, Treviso, Italy

    Alberto Vascellari

  3. Orthopaedic and Traumatology Department, Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy

    Alberto Combi

  4. Isokinetic Medical Group, Turin, Italy

    Luca Tomaello

  5. Centre of Sports Traumatology, Koelliker Hospital, Turin, Italy

    Gian Luigi Canata

Authors
  1. Alberto Grassi
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  2. Alberto Vascellari
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  3. Alberto Combi
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  4. Luca Tomaello
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  5. Gian Luigi Canata
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  6. Stefano Zaffagnini
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Consortia

SIGASCOT Sports Committee

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alberto Grassi.

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Appendix

Appendix

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Grassi, A., Vascellari, A., Combi, A. et al. Return to sport after ACL reconstruction: a survey between the Italian Society of Knee, Arthroscopy, Sport, Cartilage and Orthopaedic Technologies (SIGASCOT) members. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 26, 509–516 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-016-1756-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-016-1756-0

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