title: Factors informing fear of reinjury after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fear of reinjury is associated with cessation of sport after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction despite normal postoperative knee function. The objective of this study is to describe factors informing athletes' experience of fear of reinjury post ACL reconstruction, in athletes who cited fear as the sole reason for not returning to their pre-injury level of sport.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mixed-methods study design of qualitative and a preliminary quantitative component.
  
  
  METHODS
  A conveniently selected private hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten male and two female athletes, aged between 19 and 45 years, were eligible for the interview from 68 male and 32 female potential participants (age range 17-50) who underwent an ACL reconstruction using any graft type, excluding revision or multi-ligament surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  To explore factors informing fear of reinjury in participants citing fear of reinjury as the sole reason for not returning to sport, albeit normal knee function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From the participant interview, four themes emerged: undergoing the surgery and recovery again, nature of the pre-injury sport imposing risk of reinjury, personality traits, and social priorities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinicians should be aware of factors informing fear of reinjury post ACL reconstruction. Modifiable fears including pain, mode and length of rehabilitation and psychological factors should be considered during rehabilitation to potentially improve the return to sport rate.
authors.affiliation: a Physiotherapy Department , University of Stellenbosch , Stellenbosch , South Africa.
authors.forename: Cheryl A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.affiliation: b Department of Clinical Therapies, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences , University of Limerick , Limerick , Ireland.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Clifford
authors.affiliation: c Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Stellenbosch Physiotherapy Division/FNB-3D Movement Analysis Laboratory , Tygerberg , South Africa.
authors.forename: Quinette A
authors.initials: QA
authors.lastname: Louw
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction; D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology*; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D000068958:Return to Sport; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament; fear of reinjury; physical therapy modalities; return to sport