Career Length after Primary ACLR in Professional Rugby Players

Younger Age and Lateral Extra-Articular Tenodesis at Time of Primary ACL Reconstruction Increases Career Length in Professional Rugby Players

Lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) has been shown to decrease graft failure in high level athletes, but there is very little data about its long-term effect on an athlete’s career. The purpose of this study was to assess pre-operative and surgical factors that may affect return to play rates and career longevity of professional rugby athletes after primary ACL-R. Results showed that professional rugby players undergoing primary ACL reconstruction, those having ACL reconstruction with a concomitant LET and younger age at the time of reconstruction predicted increased career longevity.