The mechanism of injury's role in jump landing mechanics after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Abstract Purpose The primary aim of this study is to determine if there is a difference in post‐rehabilitation Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) score between patients who injured their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) through a contact or noncontact mechanism of injury (MOI). The secondary aim is to determine if there is a difference in demographics, strength, and patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) between patients who injured their ACL through a contact or noncontact MOI. Methods Patients were included from a larger observational laboratory study if they had undergone a primary, isolated, uncomplicated ACLR. Patients were excluded if they had a history of other lower extremity surgery, concomitant ligament injury, surgical complications, or any neurologic disorder. Results One hundred and twenty‐nine patients were included in this study (age: 21.4 ± 7.9, sex: 64 F/65 M, follow up: 8.1 ± 1.7 months). Ninety‐one patients (70.5%) sustained a noncontact MOI, and 38 patients (29.5%) sustained a contact MOI. There was no difference in total LESS score ( p = 0.930), frontal LESS score ( p = 0.831) or sagittal LESS score ( p = 0.980) between the contact and noncontact groups. Conclusion There was no statistically significant difference in total LESS score, frontal LESS score, or sagittal LESS score between contact and noncontact MOI. A considerable proportion of participants demonstrated multiple landing errors, indicating that assessment and rehabilitation of landing mechanics may remain relevant during late‐stage rehabilitation. There was no statistically significant difference between mechanism of initial ACL injury and strength or PROs. The decision to allow a patient to return to play is multifactorial and should occur after modifiable risk factors, including jump landing mechanics, have been properly mitigated during rehabilitation. Level of Evidence Level III.