Open AccessSuperior knee self‐efficacy and quality of life throughout the first year in patients who recover symmetrical muscle function after ACL reconstruction
Author(s) -
Piussi Ramana,
Beischer Susanne,
Thomeé Roland,
Hamrin Senorski Eric
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.806
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1433-7347
pISSN - 0942-2056
DOI - 10.1007/s00167-019-05703-z
Subject(s) - medicine , anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction , rehabilitation , quality of life (healthcare) , anterior cruciate ligament , osteoarthritis , cohort , confidence interval , acl injury , physical therapy , surgery , physical medicine and rehabilitation , alternative medicine , nursing , pathology
Purpose The aim of this study was to (1) describe psychological outcomes during the first year after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and (2) compare psychological outcomes in patients who recover symmetrical muscle function with patients who do not. Methods The included patients had undergone a unilateral ACL reconstruction. Patients with a re‐rupture and contralateral ACL injury were excluded. Three groups, based on the results from 5 tests of muscle function 12 months after reconstruction, were created. Three validated questionnaires (the Knee Self‐Efficacy Scale; the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score subscale “Quality of Life”; the ACL Return to Sport after Injury scale) and a single question “Have you achieved your goal with rehabilitation?” were analysed in 4 different follow‐ups after ACL reconstruction (10 weeks, 4, 8 and 12 months). Means and standard deviations were analysed with standard t tests and reported with 95% confidence intervals. Results A total of 328 patients (120 men, 37%), mean age 27.8 ± 10 years, were included. Patients who did not recover symmetrical muscle function ( n = 56; 17%) at the 12‐month follow‐up reported inferior knee‐related self‐efficacy and quality of life than patients who recovered symmetrical muscle function ( n = 96; 29%) at all follow‐ups, except quality of life at 4 months. The proportion of patients who stated they achieved their rehabilitation goal at 12 months was 17% for the entire cohort, 24% for patients who recovered muscle function and 5% for patients who did not recover muscle function. Conclusion Patients who recovered strength and hop symmetry 12 months after ACL reconstruction had superior knee‐related self‐efficacy and greater quality of life during the whole first year after ACL reconstruction. These results can aid clinicians in the decision‐making process by providing knowledge of patients who might need further attention during rehabilitation. Level of evidence III.