CAPT Patrick Weinrauch M.B.B.S. (Qld)“
COL Peter Sharwood RFD. M.B.B.S.(Qld), F.R.A.C.S. F.A.Orth.A.b
ABSTRACT
This study examines the military employment of soldiers in the Australian Regular Army 3 years after Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Patients undertaking ACL reconstruction were more likely to be assessed as medically unfit for military service compared to a control group undertaking an unrelated procedure (extraction of wisdom teeth), however overall discharge rates were not affected. 71 % of patients undertaking ACL reconstructions were considered fit for military service 3 years after surgery. allowing their participation in active operational duty.
INTRODUCTION
Injuries sustained during training or sports represent a substantial health problem within the Australian Defence Force (ADF), resulting in significant casualty rates and reduced employment capability.’ For military patients sustaining tears of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), non operative management has been associated with reduced occupational capacity and lower rates of return to unrestricted military service compared to operative management.2 Bellmontetal. (1999) demonstrated 94.3% of U.S. Army Aviators post ACL reconstruction returned to service with only 2.3% requiring medical discharge after primary reconstruction.3 Edwards etal. in a retrospective review of active duty military patients 2.35 years after ACL reconstruction however found only 78/ 112 (78%) had returned to full unrestricted service.4 Cullisonetal. similarly demonstrated the rate of medical discharge 29 months after autogenous patella tendon ACL reconstruction to be 23%.2 Revision ACL reconstruction is associated with inferior outcomes for military employment, with only 60% of U.S Army Aviators returning to service.3 The impact of ACL rupture on future military employment and prediction of employability in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) after reconstruction has to date not been assessed. This pilot study retrospectively examines the employment of soldiers in the Australian Regular Army 3 years after ACL reconstruction.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
The study group consisted of all patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction at 2 Health Services Battalion between July 1 997 and September l 999 identi fied retrospectively from operation logbooks. Only male patients serving full time in the Australi an Regular Army (ARA) at the time of operation were included. 38 patients satisfied these criteria for inclusion in the study. The operations were performed by 4 Orthopaedic Surgeons utilising either autogenous patella tendon or hamstring graft according to surgeon preference and individual patient assessment. Adjunctive arthroscopic procedures such as chondroplasty, meniscal repair or partial meniscectomy were performed where indicated during ACL reconstruction.
The control group consisted of 40 consecutive patients who underwent an unrelated procedure (dental extraction) at the same hospital between July 1997 and October 1997. The same inclusion criteria were applied to the control group.
The study protocol was granted approval by the Australian Defence Human Research Ethics Committee (ADHREC) prior to data collection. Preoperative Medical Employment Classificat ion (MEC) Scores effective Jul y 1997 were retrospectively obtained from the Army Health Records Department. Current MEC scores for patients still serving in the Australian Defence Force or MEC on discharge was similarly obtained. The current military employment status of all patients was determined by database review.
RESULTS
Table l provides an overview of the results obtained. The average time to follow up was 3.4 +1– 0.75 years in the ACL Group and 4. 35 +1– 0.05 years in the Control Group. At final review. equivalent numbers of patients from both groups remained within active military service (20/ 38 ACL Group; 2 1 I 40 Control Group). and an equal number of patients had discharged (7/ 38 ACL Group; 7/40 Control Group).
10/ 38 (26%) patients in the ACL group and 2/40 (5%) patients in the Control group at final review were considered unfit for military service on medical grounds, and had been discharged or were in process of discharge (p<0.02; Fisher Exact Test). 27/ 38 (71 %) of the ACL Group and 38/ 40 (95%) of the Control Group were considered on medical grounds to be fit for military service, including active operational deployment. Two patients who were previously considered unfit for military service on medical grounds prior to ACL reconstruction were assessed as fit for service at final review.
No patients were lost to follow-up.
Table can be found in the full download of this edition
DISCUSSION
The results of this study demonstrate that patients with ACL deficient knees are at 3 years post reconstruction more likely to be assessed as medically unfit for military service compared to the control group selected. The correlation between ACL reconstruction and medical fitness observed in this study does not however directly establish a cause and effect relationship as patients are often assessed as unsuitable for military service on the grounds of greater than one condition. and review of the discharge medical examination findings was not conducted.
ACL reconstruction has not been demonstrated to result in an increase in the overall rate of discharge from active military service. The majority (71%) of patients undertaking ACL reconstruction were considered fit for military service 3 years postoperatively, allowing their pm1icipation in active operational duty if required.
It should be understood that the results of this study relate only to patients who have undertaken ACL reconstruction. and the employment outcomes for military patients with ACL deficient knees managed non-operatively has not been assessed. Limitations of this study include the small number of subjects evaluated and the retrospective methodology.
This study provides a pilot for the conduct of a comprehensive prospective trial into the employment outcomes after ACL rupture in the Australian Defence Force.
Please specify the URL of your file
