Performance and Return to Sport After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in X-Games Skiers and Snowboarders:

Background:Skiing and snowboarding have become increasingly popular since the inception of the winter X-Games in 1997.Purpose: To determine (1) rate of return to sport (RTS) to the winter X-Games following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and (2) performance upon RTS following ACL reconstruction.Hypotheses: There is a high rate of RTS to the winter X-Games in subjects undergoing ACL reconstruction. There is no difference in performance upon RTS following ACL reconstruction versus preinjury.Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods: Skiers and snowboarders competing in the winter X-Games who tore their ACL and underwent ACL reconstruction between 1997 and 2012 were evaluated. Athlete data were extracted from winter X-Games media websites, ESPN, injury reports, player profiles/biographies, and press releases. All athlete, knee, and surgical demographic data were analyzed. RTS and performance as it related to the number of gold, silver, and bronze medals won both pre- and postope...