Erschienen in:
26.06.2017 | Knee
Patient satisfaction with health is substantially improved following ACL reconstruction
verfasst von:
Philipp Minzlaff, Thomas Heidt, Matthias J. Feucht, Johannes E. Plath, Stefan Hinterwimmer, Andreas B. Imhoff, Tim Saier
Erschienen in:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy
|
Ausgabe 2/2018
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Abstract
Purpose
To prospectively monitor health-related quality of life and return to work after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in patients with isolated ACL tears.
Methods
Sixty consecutive patients with isolated ACL tears who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction were prospectively monitored using the “Questions on Life Satisfaction Modules” (FLZM) and “Short-Form 12 (SF-12)” quality-of-life outcome measures. The Lysholm score and Tegner activity index were used as functional outcome measures. Additionally, return to work (months) together with level of physical workload was analysed. Outcome measures were assessed the day before surgery and at 6, 12 weeks and 6, 12, and 24 months post-operatively. Quality-of-life outcomes were correlated with functional outcome scores.
Results
Satisfaction with health (FLZM) significantly improved within the first 2 years (p < 0.05), and the physical component scale (SF12) showed a significantly higher score after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months as compared with preoperative values (p < 0.05). “General life satisfaction (FLZM)” was initially decreased at 6 weeks (p < 0.05) but increased during the further follow-up period, reaching a score not significantly different from preoperative values. Mean Lysholm score improved from 66 preoperatively to 89 post-operatively (p < 0.05) and the median Tegner activity index improved from four to six points (p < 0.05) at final follow-up. Mean time to return to work was 7 weeks (range 1–34 weeks), and it strongly depended on physical workload. A positive correlation between quality of life and functional outcome (Lysholm score) was observed.
Conclusion
General life satisfaction is impaired during the early post-operative course, but returns to preoperative values after 2 years. Satisfaction with health reaches higher values after 6, 12 and 24 months post-operatively, and the SF-12 physical component scale was seen to improve during the follow-up period. Improved functional outcomes were observed to correlate with quality-of-life measurements. Thus, patients can preoperatively be informed that they will benefit from ACL reconstruction in terms of an improved knee function and satisfaction with health. Heavy physical workload must be considered as a risk factor for prolonged time lost to return to work. These patients have to be identified and informed about realistic expectations.