Composite psychosocial risk based on the fear avoidance model in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: Cluster-based analysis.

Abstract Objectives To examine associations between preoperative fear-avoidance model (FAM) risk subgroup status and patient expectation of surgical success with postoperative outcomes at 6 and 12 months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Design Cohort study. Setting Academic medical center. Participants 54 patients (25 females) undergoing unilateral ACLR. Main outcome measures Cluster analysis distinguished FAM risk subgroups based on preoperative fear of movement/reinjury, self-efficacy, and pain catastrophizing. Preoperative expectation for surgical success was assessed with a numeric rating scale. Six and 12-month outcomes included Subjective Patient Outcomes for Return to Sport, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) sports/recreation and quality of life, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Form. Results Thirteen (24%) patients were “moderate-to-high FAM risk.” Moderate-to-high FAM risk patients had lower odds of return to sport at 12 months (OR = 0.3, p = .05) and lower KOOS sports/recreation at 6 months (st. beta = −0.27, p = .05), KOOS quality of life at 12 months (st. beta = −0.42, p = .007), and IKDC at 6 (st. beta = −0.29, p = .04) and 12 months (st. beta = −0.47, p = .001). Higher expectation was associated with lower 6-month IKDC (st. beta = −0.36, p = .008) and 12-month KOOS quality of life (st. beta = −0.29, p = .05). Conclusions Preoperative FAM risk influences patient-reported outcomes and return to sport at 6 and 12 months.