Patient knowledge and beliefs about knee osteoarthritis after ACL injury and reconstruction

Abstract

Objective: To explore 1) patients' knowledge and beliefs about osteoarthritis (OA) and OA risk following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, 2) extent to which information about these risks is provided by health professionals, and 3) associations amongst participant characteristics, knowledge and risk beliefs and health professional advice.

Methods: A custom-designed survey was conducted in Australian and American adults who sustained an ACL injury, with or without reconstruction, one to five years prior. The survey comprised three sections: 1) participant characteristics, 2) knowledge about OA and OA risk, and 3) health professional advice.

Results: Complete datasets from 233 eligible respondents were analyzed. Most (n=164, 70%) rated themselves as being at greater risk of OA than healthy peers, although only 56% (n=130) were able to identify the correct OA definition. While most agreed that ACL (n=168, 73%) and/or meniscal injuries (n=181, 78%) increase the risk of OA, 65% (n=152) believed that ACL reconstruction reduced the risk of OA or did not know. Twenty seven percent (n=62) recalled discussing their OA risk with a health professional. Participants who were female, younger, had a lower body mass index or higher physical activity level were more likely to recognise meniscal tears and meniscectomy as risk factors of OA. History of professional advice was associated with beliefs about increased OA risks.

Conclusion: Patients sustaining an ACL injury require better education from health professionals about OA as a disease entity and their elevated risk of OA, irrespective of whether they undergo surgical reconstruction or not.

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ORCID for Maria Stokes: orcid.org/0000-0002-4204-0890

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