This updated systematic review and meta-analysis (69 studies, 7,556 patients) quantifies return-to-sport rates after ACL reconstruction across three participation tiers — any sport, preinjury level, and competitive sport — and examines which physical functioning measures and contextual factors predict successful return.
When counseling ACL reconstruction patients preoperatively, tell them: 4 in 5 will return to some sport, but only 1 in 2 will return to competitive play — and if psychological readiness is not addressed in rehab, that gap widens further.
Symmetrical hop testing and formal psychological screening (not just quad strength and time from surgery) should be part of your return-to-sport clearance criteria.
This updated systematic review and meta-analysis (69 studies, 7,556 patients) quantifies return-to-sport rates after ACL reconstruction across three participation tiers — any sport, preinjury level, and competitive sport — and examines which physical functioning measures and contextual factors predict successful return.
When counseling ACL reconstruction patients preoperatively, tell them: 4 in 5 will return to some sport, but only 1 in 2 will return to competitive play — and if psychological readiness is not addressed in rehab, that gap widens further.
Symmetrical hop testing and formal psychological screening (not just quad strength and time from surgery) should be part of your return-to-sport clearance criteria.