Young Athletes and Women More Likely to Have Second ACL Surgery Within a Year

According to one of the largest studies ever conducted on the outcomes of ACL surgery, patients under 40 and women are both more likely to have second knee surgery within a year of an ACL repair.

Investigators looked at surgical outcomes in 70,000 patients who had ACL reconstruction surgery from 1997 to 2006 in New York state. The results, published in the October 2009 issue of The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, found the following:

Patients 30 to 39 years old had a 19 percent increased risk for additional ACL surgery.
• Patients 20 to 29 years old had a 43 percent increased risk for additional ACL surgery.
• Women patients are 18 percent more likely to have additional knee surgery after an ACL repair.
• Patients treated by less experienced surgeons and at hospitals that perform fewer ACL repairs are at higher risk for having a second knee surgery.

The study authors speculate that younger athletes may be at higher risk for another ACL repair because they may return to activity more quickly and may be less likely to follow a rehab guidelines. For these athletes, following an ACL injury prevention program may be extremely valuable.

They also reminded patients that ACL reconstruction is a complex surgery that is best performed by a surgeon who has a great deal of experience and does these repairs routinely.

Learn More About ACL Injuries

What Is an ACL Injury?

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of four ligaments that provide stability to the knee joint. Of the four major ligaments of the knee, the ACL injury is the one most commonly injured.

What Causes an ACL Injury?

ACL injuries are common in sports that involve sudden changes of direction, such as football, and soccer.

ACL Injury - Video

ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) Injuries - Video

Photo © Blausen Medical

How Can I Prevent an ACL Injury?

The ACL Injury Prevention Program is a highly specific 15-minute training session that replaces the traditional warm-up. It was developed by a team of physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers and coaches to teach players these five strategies to avoid injury:

1. Avoiding vulnerable positions
   
2. Increasing flexibility
   
3. Increasing strength
   
4. Including plyometric exercises in training
   
5. Increasing proprioception
   

_{Source: Teenagers and ACL: Tears Common and Additional Surgery, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Press Release. Accessed 10/1/2009.}