Psychological factors in the ACL reconstruction population: Are they predictive of patient outcomes?

Abstract

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction research has focused on technical aspects of surgery and rehabilitation. These factors however may only partially contribute to patient outcome [ 50 ]. Less attention has been paid to psychological factors that may in fl uence an athlete’s return to sport [ 8, 50, 73, 106, 107 ]. Despite successful ACL reconstruction and rehabilitation as determined by pre- and postoperative comparisons of patientperceived function and symptoms [ 92 ] and performance- based tests such as the single and triple hop for distance [ 38, 44, 75, 87 ], the percentage of patients that successfully return to preinjury sports participation levels is less impressive. Improving our understanding of a patient’s psychological pro fi le prior to ACL reconstruction, rehabilitation, and return to sport may assist the surgical and rehabilitative decision-making process.