The decision to return to sports following an ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) injury and surgical repair is a tough one. While it would seem that the desire to jump right back into doing what you love would be a no-brainer, it can be complicated.
If the surgery was successful and appropriate time was dedicated to rest and rehab, then usually there are no physical limitations for returning to sports. There are, however, mental road blocks that often pop up.
It is estimated that between one third and two thirds do not return to their pre-injury level of activity, despite an okay from their doctor. The fear of pain or getting hurt again is very real for many patients, and sometimes can be too tough to overcome... resulting in participating at a lesser intensity than what they are used to or giving up their sport altogether.
ACL patients who do choose to return to their pre-injury level of activity typically report:
If the surgery was successful and appropriate time was dedicated to rest and rehab, then usually there are no physical limitations for returning to sports. There are, however, mental road blocks that often pop up.
It is estimated that between one third and two thirds do not return to their pre-injury level of activity, despite an okay from their doctor. The fear of pain or getting hurt again is very real for many patients, and sometimes can be too tough to overcome... resulting in participating at a lesser intensity than what they are used to or giving up their sport altogether.
ACL patients who do choose to return to their pre-injury level of activity typically report:
- Better knee function
- A positive surgical and rehabilitation experience
- Improved outlook on their overall physical well-being
For athletes who have successfully completed rehab and been given the green light from their doctor, the following can help to get their head back in the game:
- Positive self-task and mental imagery
- Goal-setting with specific dates and timelines to ease back into previous sports routines
- Enlisting a friend or teammates to help with motivation
If you have suffered an ACL injury and/or had surgery to repair it, yet are unsure about returning to sports, please contact us for an appointment.
Adapted from STOP Sports Injuries
Keep up with Texas Orthopedics news by following us on Facebook and Twitter (@TexasOrthopedic).
Adapted from STOP Sports Injuries
Keep up with Texas Orthopedics news by following us on Facebook and Twitter (@TexasOrthopedic).
No comments:
Post a Comment