Rehabilitation and recovery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: patients' experiences.
The aim was to explore patients' experiences of the rehabilitation process after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Ten participants were enrolled in the study. Semi-structured interviews were performed, focusing on challenges during the post-operative rehabilitation to 1 year after ACL reconstruction. The participants perceived no real choice between operative and non-operative treatment. Only surgery symbolized a full return to the pre-injury level of sports, and surgery was understood as the only way to become a completely restored "functional human being." A major source of frustration was that the meaning of and progress during the rehabilitation did not match their expectations. Three different responses to the challenge of a prolonged rehabilitation were expressed: "going for it,""being ambivalent," and "giving in." Fear of re-injury was common; however, some participants decided not to return to their pre-injury level of sports due to reasons other than physical limitations or fear of re-injury. From a patient perspective, it seems important that the choice of operative or non-operative treatment should be discussed in terms of the meaning and extent of the post-operative rehabilitation and the expected outcomes. There also seems to be a need for more guidance in realistic goal setting and coaching throughout the rehabilitation process.
Heijne
A
A
Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Section of Orthopaedics and Sportsmedicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. annette.heijne@ki.se
Axelsson
K
K
Werner
S
S
Biguet
G
G
D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome