Low Rate of Return to Preinjury Tegner Activity Level Among Recreational Athletes: Results at 1 Year After Primary ACL Reconstruction

BACKGROUND: There is limited information about the functional recovery and rate of return to preinjury levels of sports among recreational athletes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). PURPOSE: To investigate the recovery of quadriceps or hamstring strength, assess functional performance, and determine the rate of return to preinjury sports levels among recreational athletes at 1 year after ACLR. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A total of 91 recreational-level athletes who underwent anatomic single-bundle ACLR were enrolled. We evaluated the limb symmetry index (LSI) of the quadriceps and hamstring peak torque strength at 60°, in addition to hop test performance (single-leg, triple, crossover, and 6-m timed), patient-reported outcomes, and pre- versus postoperative Tegner activity levels. Outcomes were compared between younger (age <25 years) and older patients (age ≥25 years). RESULTS: There were 48 patients in the younger group and 43 patients in the older group. At 1-year follow-up, the overall LSIs for quadriceps strength and hamstring strength were 77% and 86%, respectively, and the LSIs of the hop tests were 79% for single-leg, 81% for triple, 84% for crossover, and 85% for 6-m timed hop. Overall, only 24% patients returned to their preinjury Tegner level, and only 8% of patients met the criteria for return to pivoting, cutting, and jumping sports. At 1-year follow-up, the younger group showed significantly more quadriceps strength than the older group (85% vs 64%; P = .0001), better single, triple, crossover, and 6-m timed hop test results (85% vs 69%, P = .003; 84% vs 75%, P = .046; 91% vs. 74%, P < .001; and 91% vs 76%, P = .003, respectively), higher Lysholm score (87 vs 74; P < 0.001) and International Knee Document Committee score (82 vs 66; P < .001), and a higher rate of return to preinjury Tegner level (35% vs 12%; P = .009). CONCLUSION: Only 24% of patients returned to the preinjury Tegner level at 1 year after ACLR (35% younger group vs 12% older group; P = .009). This information might be helpful in setting realistic expectations for recreational athletes after surgery.