OBJECTIVE:

The aim of the present study is to assess the return to play among amateur soccer league players after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

MATERIALS AND METHOD:

The surgical protocols of ACL reconstruction surgeries performed in a sports medicine clinic from July 1st, 2013, to June 30th, 2014, were included in the study. Only the charts of amateur soccer league players who played once or twice a week were selected. The follow-up time was calculated as the number of months between surgery and the telephone survey. At the follow-up, the current status of the soccer playing was recorded. Those patients who were no longer playing in a team were asked what kind of sport they were currently practicing, as well as the main reason for not returning to team playing.

RESULTS:

A total of 61 (25.6%) patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean follow-up time was of 22.4 3.4 months. At the follow-up, 30 (49.1%) patients were playing in amateur soccer teams. Among the patients who were no longer playing in a team, 19 (61.2%) were playing soccer occasionally, 11 (35.4%) were practicing other sports, and 1 developed a sedentary life style.

The reasons for not returning to team playing were:

fear of reinjury in 26%; knee symptoms in 26%; lack of confidence in the knee in 23%, family or job commitments in 23%; and not being eligible to participate in competitive sports in 2%.

CONCLUSION:

After an average of two years of ACL reconstruction, only half of the amateur soccer league players return to play.