post covid-19 anterior cruciate ligament (acl) tear in twin sisters after re-starting professional futsal exercises: a ‎case report

Awareness of the long-term covid-19 complications is of significant importance in reducing itsmorbidity through the implementation of timely interventional programs. in this study, we reportan anterior cruciate ligament (acl) tear in athlete identical twin sisters almost 2 months afterthe covid-19 infection. the patients had 15 years of professional futsal experience and showedno obvious risk factors for an acl tear, such as familial history, abnormal menstruation, oralcontraceptive consumption, reduced intercondylar notch, or increased tibial slope. however, theyexperienced a non-contact complete acl tear within 1 month of re-participation in professionalexercise after the covid-19 infection. both patients reported a sense of muscle weakness duringthe covid-19 recovery period, and ligamentous laxity was obvious according to the clinicalexamination and the beighton criteria. this report shows persistent muscle weakness after thecovid-19 infection that could increase the risk of acl injury in female athletes and suggeststaking a prophylactic rehabilitating program to prevent its catastrophic consequences.