Criteria for return to sport after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction: A literature review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v15i5.51050Keywords:
Anterior Cruciate Ligament, Rehabilitation, Return to Sport.Abstract
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is a common injury in sports that involve rapid changes of direction, deceleration, and high physical demand, which may result in joint instability, pain, and functional limitations. Physiotherapy plays a fundamental role in rehabilitation, aiming for a safe return to sport at the same pre-injury level. The objective of this study was to analyze, in recent scientific literature, the main criteria used to determine return to sport after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.This study consists of a descriptive and qualitative literature review, conducted through a search in the PubMed and PEDro databases. The descriptors “Anterior Cruciate Ligament,” “Rehabilitation,” and “Return to Sport” were used, combined with the Boolean operator AND. Inclusion criteria comprised articles published between 2020 and 2025, in English, freely available, and addressing physiotherapeutic rehabilitation criteria and return to sport after ACL reconstruction. Duplicate studies, case reports, and studies with low methodological quality were excluded. Selection was performed through the reading of titles, abstracts, and full texts, followed by data analysis.The results indicate that return to sport should be based on multidimensional criteria, including functional tests, strength assessment, limb symmetry, and psychological factors. Psychological readiness stands out as an important predictor of success, while kinesiophobia may hinder the process. It is concluded that objective and individualized criteria are essential for a safe and effective return.
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