An exploration of sports rehabilitators and athletic rehabilitation therapists' views on fear of re-injury following Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction.

Aim: The aim of the study was to gain a greater understanding of the views of sports rehabilitators and athletic rehabilitation therapists on recognition of fear of re-injury in clients following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Background: Research involving long term follow up of patients following successful ALCR rehabilitation has shown return to sport rates are not as good as would be expected despite many patients having normal functional knee scores. The psychological component, specifically fear of re-injury plays a critical role in determining patients returning to play, and is frequently underestimated. Little is known about the recognition and intervention from the therapists’ perspective.