According to the American Journal of Sports Medicine, most of the patients with knee osteoarthritis even after 10-years of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction show pre-operative patient-reported outcome related modifiable risk factors. Thus the cohort study was conducted to consult patients regarding their knee function and other related outcomes after ACL reconstruction.

The Swedish National Knee Ligament Register was used to extract data of patients who went through ACL reconstruction from January 2005 to December 2006. The patients with no 10-year follow up for KOOS (knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score) were eliminated. The all 10-year surgery and patient-related risk factors above all KOOS sub-scales and KOOS4 were determined by using Multivariable proportional odds regression model. The sub-scales of KOOS were knee-related symptoms, pain, knee-related quality of life and function in sport and recreation.

A total of 874 patients with a mean age of 27.5 years during ACL reconstruction were involved. A reduction in KOOS sub-scales was noticed on the increase in concomitant articular cartilage injuries severity (p < 0.05). The odds of a higher score on the symptoms, pain, sports sub-scales and KOOS4 were positively associated with higher preoperative KOOS pain score. However, higher body mass index was negatively associated with KOOS4 and 3 KOOS sub-scales. No surgery or patient-related predictor was significant above all KOOS sub-scales. As per these outcomes, there are several factors present that may affect the long-term knee functionality after ACL reconstruction.