Abstract
Aim:
To (1) identify patient characteristics and peri-operative variables associated with arthrofibrosis (AF) following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and (2) evaluate outcomes following arthroscopic intervention.
Design:
Retrospective cohort study
Methods:
A 10-year, single-surgeon dataset of 50 patients who developed AF following primary ACLR was analysed. Variables included demographics, sporting level, surgical factors, clinical presentation (including anxiety/depression status), and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) assessed pre- and post-arthroscopy.
Results:
Among 1491 patients, 50 (3.5%) required arthroscopy for AF following ACLR. The AF cohort had a mean age of 31 years (52% male), with mean BMI of 25.9. Revision arthroscopy occurred at mean 1.2 years post-ACLR. Primary symptoms included extension deficit (52%), catching sensation (38%), and pain (32%). Most procedures (90%) utilized hamstring autograft with tightrope fixation (70%). Concomitant procedures included meniscal repair (58%) and lateral extra-articular tenodesis (24%). Patients primarily participated in recreational running (32%) or national elite sport (22%), with 38% reporting anxiety/depression history. Post-arthroscopy, Lysholm scores improved by 19.7 points, satisfaction by 30%, and pain decreased by 20%.
Conclusion:
Pre-ACLR anxiety and depression prevalence in this cohort exceeded national
averages, suggesting a potential risk factor for AF development following ACLR.
Arthroscopic intervention demonstrated significant improvements in clinical
presentation and PROMs.
To (1) identify patient characteristics and peri-operative variables associated with arthrofibrosis (AF) following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and (2) evaluate outcomes following arthroscopic intervention.
Design:
Retrospective cohort study
Methods:
A 10-year, single-surgeon dataset of 50 patients who developed AF following primary ACLR was analysed. Variables included demographics, sporting level, surgical factors, clinical presentation (including anxiety/depression status), and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) assessed pre- and post-arthroscopy.
Results:
Among 1491 patients, 50 (3.5%) required arthroscopy for AF following ACLR. The AF cohort had a mean age of 31 years (52% male), with mean BMI of 25.9. Revision arthroscopy occurred at mean 1.2 years post-ACLR. Primary symptoms included extension deficit (52%), catching sensation (38%), and pain (32%). Most procedures (90%) utilized hamstring autograft with tightrope fixation (70%). Concomitant procedures included meniscal repair (58%) and lateral extra-articular tenodesis (24%). Patients primarily participated in recreational running (32%) or national elite sport (22%), with 38% reporting anxiety/depression history. Post-arthroscopy, Lysholm scores improved by 19.7 points, satisfaction by 30%, and pain decreased by 20%.
Conclusion:
Pre-ACLR anxiety and depression prevalence in this cohort exceeded national
averages, suggesting a potential risk factor for AF development following ACLR.
Arthroscopic intervention demonstrated significant improvements in clinical
presentation and PROMs.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 604-605 |
| Number of pages | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 24 Oct 2025 |
| Event | Australian Physiotherapy Association Scientific Conference 2025: Lead the physiotherapy evolution - Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide, Australia Duration: 23 Oct 2025 → 25 Oct 2025 https://physiotherapy.eventsair.com/apasc25/ |
Conference
| Conference | Australian Physiotherapy Association Scientific Conference 2025: Lead the physiotherapy evolution |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | APASC25 |
| Country/Territory | Australia |
| City | Adelaide |
| Period | 23/10/25 → 25/10/25 |
| Other | APA invites you to its biennial scientific conference APASC25, the Australian Physiotherapy Association Scientific Conference 2025. Take this opportunity to: •explore the latest in research, technology, evidence-based practice and social change •advance your profession and enhance patient care •learn from international and local speakers |
| Internet address |