Return to Play Guidelines After ACL Repair

Return to high level pivoting sports may not be in an athlete’s best interest after ACL injuries and reconstruction, according to an article published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

While today's surgical techniques allow injured athletes to return to sports after ACL repair, there is evidence that show that the these athletes are at a higher risk of reinjury, and are also more likely the 'retire' from sports earlier than their uninjured peers. There is also convincing data to show that nearly all these patients will develop Osteoarthritis with time.

The authors question if returning to high level pivoting sports really is in the athlete’s best interest, if long term knee health is the primary concern.