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Sex-Based Differences in Adult ACL Reconstruction Outcomes

  • Gender and Racial Disparities (S Edwards, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

In the setting of ever improving outcomes following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, both objectively and subjectively, there remains continued interest in better understanding the differences in outcomes between male and female patients. The current review investigates the recent literature surrounding the roles of biological sex in adult ACL reconstruction outcomes.

Recent Findings

Within the past five years, the most prominent and recurrent difference between male and female patient cohorts is the subjective report of pain and function. Female patients have been consistently shown to have worse self-reported outcomes following ACL reconstruction. Specific and quantifiable subjective outcomes that are highlighted include the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score, the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS).

Summary

Current research on the topic of biological sex–based differences in ACL reconstruction outcomes can be divided into four main categories: patient-reported subjective outcomes; physical assessment and gait analysis; kinematics; and rates of reinjury, revision, and contralateral reconstruction. This chapter provides a summary of recent literature focused on these four main areas of interest related to ACL reconstruction outcomes in males and females.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Missouri Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA

    Katherine Branche

  2. Department of Orthopedics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA

    Hannah L. Bradsell

  3. University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA

    Alex Lencioni

  4. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 12631 E 17th Ave, Mail Stop B202, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA

    Rachel M. Frank

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  1. Katherine Branche
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  2. Hannah L. Bradsell
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  4. Rachel M. Frank
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Katherine Branche.

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Conflict of Interest

Katherine Branche, Hannah Bradsell, Alex Lencioni, and Rachel Frank declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Branche, K., Bradsell, H.L., Lencioni, A. et al. Sex-Based Differences in Adult ACL Reconstruction Outcomes. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 15, 645–650 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-022-09801-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-022-09801-3

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