Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2025
Author Spotlight: Implementing the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Concept in Rehabilitation Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Published on: March 1, 2024
Some, but not all, patients experience full symptom resolution and a positive rehabilitation process after ACL
Ramana Piussi1,2,3, Cajsa Magnusson4, Sara Andersson4,5,6,7
1Sportrehab, Sport Medicine Clinic, Gothenburg, Sweden. ramana.piussi@gu.se.
Purpose:
To gain a deeper understanding of patients' experiences over 5 years after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.
Methods:
Seventeen semi-structured interviews were performed with patients treated with ACL reconstruction at least 5 years earlier without a second knee injury. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using qualitative content analysis according to methods described by Graneheim and Lundman.
Results:
Patients' long-term experiences after an ACL reconstruction were summarized as: "to cope or not to cope, that is the question", and five main categories: (1) Adapting life after knee symptom: the past will not come back; (2) An arduous and demanding rehabilitation: sailing against the wind; (3) Accepting what cannot be changed: biting the bullet; (4) Being satisfied with results: end of a chapter; (5) Apprehensively peregrinating on an unknown road.
Conclusions:
More than 5 years after ACL reconstruction, patients can experience full symptom resolution and the ACL injury process as positive, or experience persistent symptoms and are forced to accept negative life-changing choices due to the injury.
Level Of Evidence:
IV.
