Contributors to self-report motor function after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Numerous functional factors may interactively contribute to the course of self-report functional abilities after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-reconstruction. This study purposes to identify these predictors using exploratory moderation-mediation models in a cohort study design. Adults with post unilateral ACL reconstruction (hamstring graft) status and who were aiming to return to their pre-injury type and level of sport were included. Our dependent variables were self-reported function, as assessed by the the KOOS subscales sport (SPORT), and activities of daily living (ADL). The independent variables assessed were the KOOS subscale pain and the time since reconstruction [days]. All other variables (sociodemographic, injury-, surgery-, rehabilitation-specific, kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia), and the presence or absence of COVID-19-associated restrictions) were further considered as moderators, mediators, or co-variates. Data from 203 participants (mean 26 years, SD 5 years) were finally modelled. Total variance explanation was 59% (KOOS-SPORT) and 47% (KOOS-ADL). In the initial rehabilitation phase (< 2 weeks after reconstruction), pain was the strongest contributor to self-report function (KOOS-SPORT: coefficient: 0.89; 95%-confidence-interval: 0.51 to 1.2 / KOOS-ADL: 1.1; 0.95 to 1.3). In the early phase (2–6 weeks after reconstruction), time since reconstruction [days] was the major contributor (KOOS-SPORT: 1.1; 0.14 to 2.1 / KOOS-ADL: 1.2; 0.43 to 2.0). Starting with the mid-phases of the rehabilitation, self-report function was no longer explicitly impacted by one or more contributors. The amount of rehabilitation [minutes] is affected by COVID-19-associated restrictions (pre-versus-post: − 672; − 1264 to − 80 for SPORT / − 633; − 1222 to − 45 for ADL) and by the pre-injury activity scale (280; 103 to 455 / 264; 90 to 438). Other hypothesised contributors such as sex/gender or age were not found to mediate the time or pain, rehabilitation dose and self-report function triangle. When self-report function is rated after an ACL reconstruction, the rehabilitation phases (early, mid, late), the potentially COVID-19-associated rehabilitation limitations, and pain intensity should also be considered. As, for example, pain is the strongest contributor to function in the early rehabilitation phase, focussing on the value of the self-report function only may, consequently, not be sufficient to rate bias-free function.