Online information about the management of anterior cruciate ligament ruptures in Australia: a content analysis
Andrew Gamble1, Marnee McKay1, Evangelos Pappas2, Michael Dale1, Mary O’Keeffe3, Giovanni Ferreira3, Kieran Richardson4, Joshua Zadro31Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia2School of Medicine and Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, The University of Wollongong, The University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia3Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia4Global Specialist Physiotherapy Pty Ltd, Perth, WA, Australia
Abstract
Aim: Summarise the proportion of webpages on ACL rupture management that present evidence-based information.
Design: Content analysis
Methods: We examined webpage information on ACL ruptures identified through (1) Google searches using terms synonymous with ‘anterior cruciate ligament rupture’ and searching ‘knee surgeon’ linked to each Australian capital city, and (2) websites of professional associations. The primary outcome was the proportion of webpages that suggest people can return to at least some form of sport with non-surgical management.
Results: Out of 115 webpages analysed, 48% suggested people can return to at least some form of sport with non-surgical management. Almost half of webpages suggested most people will return to some form of sport following ACLR (41%) and mentioned benefits of ACLR (43%). Fewer webpages mentioned benefits of non-surgical management (14%), approximately two in three people return to pre-injury level of sport following ACLR (4%), risk of re-injury following ACLR (23%), most people return to sport within 9 months of ACLR (27%), activity modification as a management approach (20%), and ACLR will reduce the risk of osteoarthritis (23%).
Conclusion: Most online information on ACL rupture management isn’t aligned with the best available evidence.
Key Practice Points:
•48% of webpages analysed suggest people can return to at least some form of sport with non-surgical management following ACL rupture.
•Online information on the risk of re-injury and the rate of return to pre-injury sport following ACL rupture can be misleading.
•Inaccurate webpage information could create unrealistic expectations for return to sport following ACL rupture.
Biography
Andrew has worked as a musculoskeletal physiotherapist in private practice and with sporting teams for over 9 years. He is now teaching into the Physiotherapy program at Sydney University; recently receiving a Sydney School of Health Sciences Teaching Award in 2022. Andrew began his PhD in 2021 on improving outcomes following ACL rupture and promoting evidence-based care. Andrew’s recent publications include a systematic review comparing the amount of supervision needed in ACL rehabilitation, and a content analysis of online information on ACL management, which he presented at the 4th World congress of Sports Physical Therapy in Denmark in 2022.