1036 - Comparative Analysis of ACL Rehabilitation Outcomes and Return-to-Play Timelines in Major League Soccer (MLS) and European Leagues: A Systematic Review

Friday, February 23, 2024

5:00 PM – 6:30 PM EDT

Presenting Author(s)

JH

Joey M. Harmon, MD

Medical Student
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine - - Scranton, PA
AVOCA, Pennsylvania, United States
GD

Grant DeLozier, BS

Medical Student
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States

Co-Author(s)

SG

Steven Grampp, BS

Medical Student
GCSOM
scranton, Pennsylvania, United States
RC

Richard Callum, BS

Medical Student
GCSOM
scranton, Pennsylvania, United States
PK

Patrick Kowalski, BS

Medical Student
GCSOM
scranton, Pennsylvania, United States

Objectives: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are a well-known concern in professional soccer, as they have been known to cause long-lasting impacts on players' careers. This study aims to assess and compare the functional outcomes of players, by directly evaluating treatment and rehabilitation strategies employed in Major League Soccer (MLS) and European soccer leagues for ACL injuries.

Design: A comprehensive review of the existing literature was conducted to gather relevant studies on ACL injury management in professional soccer. The selected studies focused on surgical techniques, rehabilitation protocols, and functional outcomes among professional soccer players in the United States of America and Europe.

Results: The analysis revealed variations in the incidence of ACL injuries between MLS and European leagues. An average of 4.4 (0.48%) ACL tears per year in the MLS, while a slightly higher mean annual ACL injury rate of 1.42% was found in Europe. A return to play (RTP) rate of approximately 77% in MLS players was observed, with an average RTP time of 10 months. In European Leagues, a return-to-play rate of 95%, with an average RTP time of 8.2 months. A study comparing two treatment strategies for ACL tears found no significant difference in functional outcomes between rehabilitation plus early ACL reconstruction and rehabilitation plus optional delayed reconstruction, indicating that rehabilitation alone can be effective in certain cases. The significance of prehabilitation was also discussed, noting its potential to improve functional health and increase the likelihood of returning to play. Both leagues used hamstring autografting as primary surgical techniques.

Conclusions: This study highlights the significance of individualized treatment plans, evidence-based practices, and collaborative efforts among medical professionals to optimize ACL injury management in professional soccer. Further research is warranted to gain a deeper understanding of the specific factors influencing ACL treatment and rehabilitation outcomes in MLS and European leagues.