Retorno esportivo em atletas amadores de futebol operados do joelho: um estudo transversal do perfil clínico e correlações funcionais

Abstract

Introduction: Return to sports after knee surgery involves multiple physical, psychological, and social factors, with the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) being one of the most common injuries among recreational and competitive athletes. Studies show that psychological confidence is one of the main determinants of a safe and effective return to sport, and that knee function directly impacts the athlete’s quality of life. In amateur athletes, understanding these factors can guide more personalized and effective rehabilitation strategies. Objective: To analyze the profile of amateur soccer players with a history of knee surgery and investigate the correlation between time since surgery and scores of knee function, psychological confidence, and knee-related quality of life. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with 45 male amateur soccer players, with a mean age of 30.9 ± 8.3 years. Sociodemographic, clinical, and sports data were collected, along with the application of validated questionnaires: International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Anterior Cruciate Ligament– Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI), and ACL–Quality of Life (ACL-QoL). Descriptive statistics and Spearman’s correlations were used (p≤0.05). Results: Most participants were overweight (68.9%) and returned to playing soccer after surgery (84.4%). The average time since surgery was 28.4±35.4 months. The mean scores were: IKDC 77.7±11.1; ACL-RSI 53.2±14.0; ACL-QoL 81.9±19.7 points. There was a positive correlation between time since surgery and ACL-RSI (r = 0.398; p < 0.05), indicating an increase in psychological confidence over time. A positive correlation was also found between IKDC and ACL-QoL (r = 0.384; p < 0.05), suggesting that better physical function is associated with better knee-related quality of life. Conclusion: Most amateur athletes who underwent knee surgery returned to soccer with good levels of function and quality of life, although psychological confidence changes over time. These findings highlight the importance of considering psychological and temporal factors in the sports rehabilitation process. Practical implications: The results point to the need for multidisciplinary approaches in return to sport, incorporating psychological support and postoperative time as key components in the rehabilitation of amateur athletes.