Are There Sex Disparities in Return to Sport After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction? A Systematic Review and Exploratory Meta-analysis.
Darby Amelia Elliott, Saran Singh Gill, Chinmay Madhukar Gupte
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis examined return-to-sport (RTS) outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in 7183 athletes, including 2892 females and 4291 males. The study found that female athletes had significantly lower odds of RTS at 12 months (OR, 0.76) and up to 24 months (OR, 0.72) compared to males, indicating a disparity in recovery outcomes.
Key findings
- Female athletes had lower odds of RTS at 12 months (OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.62-0.92; P = .005).
- At 24 months, female athletes showed even lower odds of RTS (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.61-0.85; P < .001).
- No significant differences were found in RTS to competition or return to preinjury levels between sexes.
Why it matters
Understanding sex disparities in RTS outcomes after ACLR is crucial for developing targeted rehabilitation strategies. This knowledge can help clinicians provide better support and optimize recovery for female athletes, who are at a disadvantage in returning to sport.