Psychological Rehabilitation From Anterior Cruciate Ligament–Medial Collateral Ligament Reconstructive Surgery: A Case Study

BACKGROUND: Research has shown that some of the more common psychological responses to injury (ie, depression, anger, anxiety) are amplified in cases of traumatic injury. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE: An 18-year-old male scholarship soccer player who, owing to a perceived deliberate injurious tackle by an opposition player, tore the medial collateral ligament and anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee. A psychological case perspective is presented. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case report. RESULTS: Various personal and situational factors can compound negative psychological response to injury. A number of extreme responses are explored, including posttraumatic stress, depression, and fear of reinjury. CONCLUSIONS: Practitioners should be willing and able to facilitate referral in the instance of more extreme psychological response to anterior cruciate ligament injury.