Changes in subjective knee function and psychological status from preoperation to 6 months post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Abstract

Abstract Purpose To determine characteristic changes in subjective knee function, kinesiophobia, and psychological readiness to return to sports between scores taken before anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and those taken 6 months post‐ACLR. Methods Thirty‐two participants (median age, 20.0 years) were included. Subjective knee function was assessed using the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form (IKDC‐SKF). The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK‐11) and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Return to Sport after Injury (ACL‐RSI) scale were used to evaluate kinesiophobia and psychological readiness to return to sport, respectively. Questionnaires were administered 1 day before surgery and at 6 months post‐ACLR. A positive change was defined as an increase in IKDC‐SKF and ACL‐RSI scores and a decrease in TSK‐11 score. The change in each score from pre‐ACLR to 6 months post‐ACLR was analyzed using a paired t‐test. The percentage change in scores was calculated, and the correlations of the percentage change in the TSK‐11 and ACL‐RSI scores and that in the IKDC‐SKF score were analyzed. Results All scores differed significantly positively from pre‐ACLR to 6 months post‐ACLR. The proportion of participants whose scores did not change positively from pre‐ACLR to 6 months post‐ACLR was higher for the TSK‐11 (38.0%) and ACL‐RSI (38.0%) than for the IKDC‐SKF (6.3%). No correlation was observed between the percentage change in the IKDC‐SKF score and that in the TSK‐11 or ACL‐RSI scores from pre‐ACLR to 6 months post‐ACLR. Conclusions Changes in subjective knee function and psychological status from pre‐ACLR and 6 months post‐ACLR may not be interdependent.

Keywords

• Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
• Fear of reinjury
• Psychological recovery
• Subjective outcome
• Return to play