From the Popular Press: What Your Patients are Reading:

Younger patients who have surgery to repair a damaged anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) will likely need additional surgery in the future., according to a recent study. ACL damage is one of the most common types of knee injuries, and often affects younger people. However, younger people tend to be more active, and may not follow all recommendations on avoiding high-impact activity after surgery. Activity too soon after ACL repair can lead to graft rupture, which may require further surgery. In a study of more than 70,000 people who had ACL reconstruction surgery in New York from 1997 to 2006, people younger than 20 had an 82% increased risk for additional surgery, with some needing surgery again within the year. Patients age 20 to 29 had a 43% increased risk, and those 30 to 39 years old had a 19% increased risk. Furthermore, women were 18% more likely than men to require follow-up knee surgery. Two recommended ways to avoid the need for additional surgery after ACL reconstruction are to have the procedure done by a "high volume" surgeon (one who performs this same surgery on a regular basis), and to fully follow the after-surgery recommendations, including activity restrictions.

Read the full text of the article