Reduced performance after return to competition in ACL injuries: an analysis on return to competition in the 'ACL registry in German Football'

Szymski, Dominik and Achenbach, Leonard and Weber, Johannes and Huber, Lorenz and Memmel, Clemens and Kerschbaum, Maximilian and Alt, Volker and Krutsch, Werner (2023) Reduced performance after return to competition in ACL injuries: an analysis on return to competition in the 'ACL registry in German Football'. KNEE SURGERY SPORTS TRAUMATOLOGY ARTHROSCOPY, 31 (1). pp. 133-141. ISSN 0942-2056, 1433-7347

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Abstract

Purpose ACL injuries are one of the most severe injuries in football, but medical consequences and performance outcomes after return to competition are only rarely investigated. Aim of this study was to analyse the time of return to competition (RTC) in German professional, semi-professional and amateur football. Also, this investigation highlights the rate of career ending and performance outcome after RTC in different playing levels by the measurement of playing level, performed matches and played minutes. Methods Database of this investigation is the 'ACL registry in German Football' with prospectively collected injury data. Between 2014 and 2018, four seasons in professional (1st-3rd league), semi-professional (4th-6th league) and amateur leagues (7th league) were analysed regarding the return to competition period and performance parameters. Data were collected for three subsequent seasons after injury and compared with the pre-injury and injury season. Data collection was performed using standardized methods. Results A total of 607 ACL injuries were registered during the 4-year period with a mean RTC time of 337.1 day (SD: 183). After primary ACL ruptures, the fastest RTC was found in professional football (247.3 days), while in semi-professional (333.5 d; p < 0.0001) and amateur football (376.2 d; p < 0.0001) a prolonged absence was detected. Re-ruptures occurred in 17.8% (n = 108) and showed similar trend with fastest RTC in professionals (289.9 days; p = 0.002). Within the first three seasons after injury, 92 players (36.7%) in semi-professional and 24 (20%) in professionals had to end their career. Keeping the level of play was only possible for 48 (47.5%) of professionals, while only 47 (29.6%) of semi-professionals and 43 (28.1%) of amateurs were able to. Only in professional football, no significant difference could be seen in the played minutes and games after 2 years compared to the pre-injury season. Conclusion Lower playing levels and re-ruptures are the main factors for a prolonged return to competition after ACL rupture in German football. Significant reduction in playing level and a high rate of career endings were found for all levels of play. However, only professional players were able to regain their playing minutes and games 2 years after injury, while lower classed athletes did not reach the same amount within 3 years.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL; RISK; RECONSTRUCTION; OUTCOMES; PLAYERS; SPORT; Return to play; Athletic injury; Sports medicine; ACL; Knee injury; Team sport; Rehabilitation
Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medical sciences Medicine
Divisions: Medicine > Lehrstuhl für Unfallchirurgie
Medicine > Lehrstuhl für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin
Depositing User: Dr. Gernot Deinzer
Date Deposited: 05 Mar 2024 09:59
Last Modified: 05 Mar 2024 09:59
URI: https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/56894

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