Psychological factors are important to return to pre-injury sport activity after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: expect and motivate to satisfy

• DOI: 10.1007/s00167-016-4294-8
• Publication Date: 2016-08-25T07:52:08Z
• Authors: Sofi Sonesson; Joanna Kvist; Clare Ardern; Annika Österberg; Karin Grävare Sil...
• Keywords: Activity level; Adult; Male; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Adolescent; Knee Joint; Return to sport; Medical and Health Sciences; Patient perspective; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Health Sciences; Psychology; Humans; Orthopedics and Sports Medicine; Knee; Prospective Studies; Anterior Cruciate Ligament; Physiotherapy; Patient-reported outcome; Uncategorized; Motivation; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction; ACL; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; Hälsovetenskaper; Middle Aged; 16. Peace & justice; Fysioterapi; Return to Sport; Patient Satisfaction; Athletic Injuries; Surgery; Female; Follow-Up Studies

Purpose: To describe individuals’ expectations, motivation, and satisfaction before, during, and after rehabilitation for ACL reconstruction and to explore how these factors were associated with return to pre-injury sport activity at 1-year follow-up. Methods: Sixty-five individuals (34 males), median age 22 (15–45) years, scheduled for ACL reconstruction participated. Participants completed the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form (IKDC-SKF) and questions about expectations, satisfaction, and motivation pre-operatively and at 16 and 52 weeks after surgery. Results: Prior to surgery, 86 % of participants stated that their goal was to return to their pre-injury sport activity. Those who had returned to their pre-injury sport activity at 52 weeks were more motivated during rehabilitation to return to their pre-injury activity level, more satisfied with their activity level and knee function at 52 weeks, and scored significantly higher on the IKDC-SKF [median 92.0 (range 66.7–100.0)] at 52 weeks, compared to those who had not returned [median 77.6 (range 50.6–97.7)]. Conclusion: Prior to ACL reconstruction, most participants expected to return to their pre-injury activity level. Higher motivation during rehabilitation was associated with returning to the pre-injury sport activity. The participants who had returned to their pre-injury sport activity were more satisfied with their activity level and knee function 1 year after the ACL reconstruction. Facilitating motivation might be important to support individuals in achieving their participation goals after ACL reconstruction. Level of evidence: Prospective cohort study, Level II.