Influence of interim functional assessments on patient outcomes at the time of return to activity following ACL-reconstruction.

Objective: To compare patient outcomes at the time of the return to activity (RTA) progression between those with a prior interim assessment and those without.

Design: Retrospective, Cohort Study.

Setting: Controlled Laboratory.

Participants: Patients following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACLR) were recruited through an ongoing RTA assessment program. Patients were stratified into two testing groups = "Single RTA test": only assessment between 6 and 9 months post-ACLR and "Repeat RTA test": prior assessment performed >2-months before their RTA assessment. Patients were matched based on time post-surgery, age, activity level, and graft type.

Main Outcome Measure: Self-reported knee function and isokinetic knee flexor and extensor strength/symmetry were compared between groups.

Results: 392 patients were identified. Once matched, 138 patients (21.1 ± 7.0 years, 7.3 ±0 .9 mo post-ACLR) were analyzed. Repeat RTA test patients demonstrated higher measures of self-reported knee function (P = .04) and greater knee flexion strength (P = .006) and symmetry (P = .05).

Conclusion: Patients with interim functional assessments reported greater self-reported knee function and higher hamstring strength at the time of RTA compared to patients that completed their only assessment within this time point. Early functional assessments may identify individualized deficits that can be addressed while patients are under supervision of rehabilitation specialists.