Rehabilitation of Revision ACL Reconstruction

Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is widely accepted as the treatment of choice for individuals with functional instability due to an ACLdeficient knee. It is estimated that anywhere between 60,000 and 75,000 ACL reconstructions are performed annually in the United States, although this number may be as high as 350,000. Despite the fact that nearly 90% of index ACL reconstructions are performed by surgeons who do fewer than 10 reconstructions per year, the overall success rate of the operation is high, ranging from 75% to 95%. Nevertheless, between 3,000 and 10,000 revision ACL surgeries are performed each year, underlying the significant potential for failed ACL reconstruction (ACLR). As adolescents maintain their participation in sports and older athletes extend their playing days, the number of index ACL injuries continue to escalate each year. Accordingly, as patient expectations and functional demands increase, the number of ACLR failures, with subsequent revision ACL surgery, will likely show a similar trend.