Editorial Commentary: Women Do Not Return to Sport at the Same Level After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction as Often as Men: This May Be Associated With Lower Risk Tolerance-and Not Necessarily a Bad Thing!

Abstract

It has been established that women do not return to preinjury sports (RTS) at the same level after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction at the same rate as men. Normalization of strength parameters does influence the return to sports in men, but not women. Lower RTS rates may be associated with lower risk tolerance, and this is not necessarily a bad thing. Neither lower RTS rates nor lower risk tolerance is maladaptive or in need of correction. Awareness of the psychological diversity between the sexes does help in understanding this difference. Appreciation of this perspective will improve the relationship with the female athlete during her recovery.