ACL Reconstruction Rehabilitation With Exercise and Psychological Support

The purpose of this study is to examine ACLR Rehabilitation with Exercise and Psychological Support (REPS), comparing two approaches for providing psychological support along with exercise during ACL reconstruction rehabilitation. In one group, physical therapists have received training that may boost emotional support during rehabilitation. In the other group, physical therapists will not have the training. Both groups will get similar exercises and participate in the same testing. Both groups will also watch short videos during rehabilitation that are specific to their group. Participants will not know to which group they are assigned until the end of the study. Participation will attend a total of four study visits over the course of 6 months, including 1 visit before the surgery and 3 visits during follow-up.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 15 to 25 years at the time of surgery; * Pre-injury Tegner Activity Rating60 ≥ 5 (5=recreational sports, 10=elite sports); * Sports participation at least 100 hours/year prior to injury; * Intent to resume a pre-injury sport that requires cutting, jumping, or pivoting; * ACL reconstruction performed ≤ 6 months from injury; * ACL reconstruction performed with bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft or quadriceps tendon autograft; and * Able to complete rehabilitation at one of the 4 participating TRIA locations. Exclusion Criteria: * Previous ACL injury or surgery to either limb; * Concomitant ligamentous injury \> Grade II or requiring surgery; and * Surgical procedure to articular cartilage requiring non-weight-bearing after surgery.