Return to sport following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the state of play

Abstract

BACKGROUND: An athlete's intention to return to sport following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a major indication for surgical intervention. PURPOSE: The purpose of this review was to determine postoperative return-to-sport outcomes after ACL reconstruction surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Meta-analysis and systematic review METHODS: Electronic databases including Medline, Embase, SPORTDiscus and CINAHL were searched from the earliest possible entry to April 2010. Studies were included that reported the number of patients returning to sports participation following ACL reconstruction surgery. The results were presented using the World Health Organization's International Classification of F..