Physical Therapy Visit Utilization is Not Associated With Hop Test Performance After Acl Reconstruction in Pediatric and Adolescent Athletes: A Multicenter Study

• Published in: Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine 2022-05, Vol.10 (5_suppl2)
• Main Authors: Saper, Michael, Butler, Lauren, Giampetruzzi, Nicholas, Greenberg, Elliot, Link, Meredith, Prati, Victor, Weaver, Adam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Orthopedics; Pediatrics; Physical therapy; Sports medicine; Teenagers
• ISSN: 2325-9671; 2325-9671
• DOI: 10.1177/2325967121S00513

Background: The relationship between physical therapy (PT) visit utilization and performance during single-legged hop testing after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in young patients is unclear. Purpose: To examine the effect of PT utilization on hop testing performance in pediatric and adolescent patients after ACLR. Methods: A retrospective review of patients who underwent primary ACLR between 2013 and 2019 at 5 institutions was conducted. All patients followed a structured rehabilitation protocol as directed by the treating institution and completed a return to sport (RTS) test which included single-legged hop testing. PT frequency was assessed both overall and by time period (first 6 weeks, week 7-month 3, 3-6 months, and 6-12 months). PT visits were recorded up until the time of hop testing. To account for variability, the average number of visits attended per week during the observed time was calculated for each patient. The effect of PT visit rate on the odds of passing a hop test was assessed using multivariable logistic regression controlling for time to test, age, sex, and insurance status. Passing was defined as achieving a limb symmetry index (LSI) ≥ 90% on all available tests (single hop, triple hop, crossover hop, and timed hop, if performed), as well as passing just the single hop test. The primary predictor of interest included the average rate of PT visits at the time of hop test (≥1 visit per week vs.