Jillian Mazzocca

Pronouns

She/her

Rank

Research Staff

Institution

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Department

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Authors

Suhasini, Gupta Jillian, Mazzocca Cale, Jacobs Elizabeth, Matzkin

Principal Investigator

Categories:

Accessing the impact of Age on ACL Reconstruction Outcomes in Female Patients

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Abstract

Purpose: This study focuses on the impact of age in female patients and Patient Reported outcome measures (PROMs) after ACL reconstruction (ACLR). Higher incidences of ACL injuries are noted in female patients and age has been shown to have an impact on the risk of ACL injuries, but limited data exists on functionality after ACLR in female patients based on age groups.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data collected on patients that underwent ACLR. Demographic information along with PROMs were collected preoperatively, and post-operatively at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years which included: Visual Analog Scale, Marx Activity, and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) including Pain, Symptoms, Activity of Daily Living (ADL), Sports and Recreation, and Quality of Life subscales.

Results: Patients 25 patients improve more slowly and more linearly over the 2-years with final outcomes similar to the 25 age group reported lower scores at every time point but the change in scores, overtime, did not differ. At 2 years after ACLR, the KOOS Pain, Symptom, and Sport scores were similar in female patients regardless of age but patients >25 years of age take longer to achieve these outcomes and Marx activity scores remained lower compared to the <25 group. Conclusion: A temporal relationship was established that indicated that younger female patients recovered quicker, compared to older female patients. Clinically, these results can be used to counsel patients and set realistic expectations about the timeline for recovery after ACLR.

Research Context

This work applies to sex difference, gender biology and women’s health research as the purpose of the study revolves around determining if age affects patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) in female patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The origin of this study was based on prior research indicating that the highest incidence of ACL injuries occurs in adolescent females. The literature is robust supporting the impact of sex and age on ACL injury incidences however, there is a disparity concerning the impact of age on the outcomes of ACLR, stratified by sex. Therefore, this study can be applied clinically to the female patient population undergoing ACLR as it can help physicians optimize treatment and recovery process.