It is time to target psychological readiness (or lack of readiness) in return to sports after Anterior Cruciate Ligament tears

Abstract

Functional recovery has for long been the focus of rehabilitation after an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury. It is now increasingly recognized that more attention should be given to patients` mental recovery, their psychological readiness for returning to sport, after such an injury. Within this relatively new field of science, clinicians need clarity on when and how psychological factors should be monitored and how inexpedient psychological responses may be addressed during rehabilitation. In this Expert Opinion suggestions on how targeting psychological readiness may improve rehabilitation and return-to-sport evaluations are made based on current evidence—and issues in need of further clarification are addressed.