Document Type : Review Article
Authors
1 Department of sports injury and corrective exercises, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University Of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
2 Department of Corrective Exercises and Sports Injury , Faculty of Physical Education & sport sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
Abstract
Purpose: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is one of the most common injuries among football players and requires a prolonged recovery period after surgery. Return to play is one of the major concerns for professional football players and healthcare professionals after an ACL injury. According to the findings, the average time for return to play in football players after ACL injury is 7 to 10 months, the precise timing of return varies for each individual based on pre-injury physical condition, age, gender, genetics and psychological factors (fear of re-injury , motivation). Increased risk of re-injury to the affected or contralateral limb due to premature return, or increased risk of early-onset osteoarthritis with delayed return, emphasize the importance of evaluating and determining the appropriate time for return to play. To review the literature on ACL injury and return to play time, as well as the factors influencing it, in professional football players.
Methods: In the present review research Using 4 databases (PEDro/Web of Science/PubMed/Google Scholar) on November 25, 2023, with keywords such as RTP (Return to Play)/Return to Game/Return to Sport/ACL Reconstruction/ACL surgery/After ACL surgery/Elite soccer Player/Professional soccer player), 8 relevant studies were identified after excluding duplicates, irrelevant studies, different populations, and those without a precise return to play time.
Results: According to the studies, the average time for return to play in football players after ACL injury is 7 to 10 months. One of the critical factors influencing the return to play time is the risk of re-injury to the affected or contralateral limb.
Conclusion: Several factors have been identified for determining the precise timing for an athlete's return to play or initiation of rehabilitation stages, with individual differences (genetics), pre-surgery fitness level, psychological factors, H/Q ratio (quadriceps to hamstring), and injury severity being the most important evaluation criteria.
Keywords
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