Advancements in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: From Diagnosis to the Return-to-Sports

Dear Colleagues,

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction remains a critical aspect of orthopedic sports medicine, as the ACL is the most reconstructed ligament in the body. The evolution of ACL reconstruction has seen remarkable advancements from traditional techniques to more anatomically aligned and biomechanically sound procedures, enhancing patient outcomes and reducing recovery times.

Furthermore, the integration of techniques such as the lateral extra-articular procedure (LEAP) has further tailored the approach to patients with high rotational instability and shows promising results in reducing re-rupture rates. Despite these advancements, challenges remain, such as the ideal indications for LEAPs; the long-term impact of these procedures, such as osteoarthritis and stiffness; the effective management of complex multiligament injuries; and optimizing the timing and techniques of ACL reconstruction. New techniques and materials in ACL reconstruction are continually evolving, from biologic augmentations to novel imaging and post-operative protocols. The aim is to ensure the highest return-to-sports rate, at the same pre-injury level, with the least risk of re-rupture.

To enable this, we are soliciting original research articles, reviews, cohort studies, and meta-analyses that contribute to understanding ACL injuries from diagnosis to the return to sports.

Dr. Alexandre Hardy
Dr. Nicolas Bouguennec
Guest Editors

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• anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR)
• timing of ACLR
• ramp lesion
• meniscal lesion
• lateral extra-articular procedure