ABSTRACT
Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are
among the most common ligament injuries having social, mental, and
spiritual effects as well as physical effects, reducing the quality of
life. Sexual health plays an important role inreproduction as well as in
the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social aspects of life.
Aims: In this study, we compare male patients with
conservative and surgical treatment after ACL rupture in terms of sexual
health.
Methods: The sexual health statuses of 41 male patients
diagnosed of ACL rupture followed by conservative or surgical treatment
were evaluated before treatment, in the 6 months and at the 1 year after
treatment and compared using the International Index of Erectile
Function-5 (IIEF- 5).
Results: When the mean IIEF-5 scores followed with surgery and
conservative treatment were compared at 6 months, it was observed that
the scores of those receiving surgical treatment were significantly
lower (p = 0.005). When the mean IIEF-5 scores at 1 year were compared,
it was seen that the surgical treatment scores were significantly
higher. (p = 0.012).
Conclusions: This study has shown that surgical treatment for
ACL rupture has more positive effect on male sexual life in the long
term compared to conservative treatment.
Keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament, male sexual health,
erectile dysfunction