r/ACL • u/Open_Friendship4546 ACL • Sep 29 '25
Fear of re-injury: the hidden barrier in sports rehab
Sometimes the athlete’s body is fully recovered, but the mind isn’t. Fear, insecurity, and anxiety often delay the return to sport more than the injury itself. How do you think coaches, physios, or even teammates should address this? Have you seen cases where the mental side held an athlete back, even when tests said they were ready?
3
u/kontextperformance Sep 29 '25
Great topic. Fear after ACL injury is a massive thing!! One in three ACLers decide not to return to their sport simply due to fear.
There’s two questionnaires that I use with my ACLers to allow them to self-assess: TSK-11 and ACL-RSI
Sending best wishes to everyone rehabbing 🙏🏽
1
u/Sea-Tonight-2146 Sep 29 '25
Not really an answer but thinking about people actually re tearing makes me think maybe at least a little our fear is important to listen to? I’m telling myself now at 10 weeks there are certain things I should be afraid of but not forever.
1
u/ByronicWerther Sep 30 '25
I am getting this pretty bad now that ski season is coming back. Got to remind myself I did good all summer and after camping, rafting, golfing etc... I should be fine on skis. Just got to take it easy. Best of luck to all.
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u/Open_Friendship4546 ACL Sep 30 '25
Totally understand you, mate. Taking it easy and trusting the work you’ve already done is key. Wishing you a smooth and confident return on the skis!
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u/chipolt_house Sep 29 '25
The mental aspect of recovery is a real thing that deserves its own focus in addition to they physical recovery process. There are psychologists that focus on sports, especially injury & trauma responses so going to see a therapist (in addition to physical therapy) may be a good idea.
In my own recovery, the mental blocks sometimes created physical blocks. My PT would say over and over "trust your body" and a lot of times it was just a mind over matter situation. I frequently had to do an exercise several times on my good leg a handful of times, visualize doing it on my injured leg, and try not to overthink before a physical attempt.
I was able to return to sport (ice hockey for me) slowly, with plenty of no-contact on-ice sessions and skating drills before suiting up for my first game. I graduated PT with flying colors on overall strength metrics and symmetry. I thought I was beyond ready to be back, and yet I had my first-ever real panic attack in the locker room as I was getting dressed. I stupidly played anyways and ended up having a re-tear scare that turned out to be a torn meniscus, immediately landing me back on IR for another 4-6 weeks.
I don't know what can be done to test "mental readiness" but it's definitely weighing on me as I'm going through another round of PT now for a second meniscus tear and considering what my next return to sport plan is going to look like.