Return to sport after ACL reconstruction in female athletes: a meta-analysis of return rates and time to return

This meta-analysis suggests that approximately 69% of female athletes return to sport after ACL reconstruction, with an average return time of 10.5 months, indicating that approximately one-third of female athletes may not return to sport, which is broadly consistent with prior literature. However, these pooled estimates should be interpreted with caution given substantial heterogeneity and potential publication bias. Higher RTS rates were observed among professional-level athletes, although this may reflect contextual rather than modifiable clinical factors. Meta-regression also suggested a negative association between RTS time and RTS rates, which should be interpreted cautiously as it may be influenced by residual confounding.