“I don't opt out of things because I think I will get a sore knee, but I don't expose myself to stupid risks either”: patients’ experiences of a second ACL injury—an interview study

PURPOSE: The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe women’s experiences with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and a subsequent ACL rupture, and to identify potential facilitators and barriers for coping with rehabilitation after the second injury. METHODS: Eight women between 17 and 36 years (mean 26, SD 6.5) who had experienced ACLR, followed by another ACL rupture, participated in the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: One overarching theme, “Rehabilitation after a second ACL injury—A lifelong adaptive coping process”, emerged from analyses. Undergoing a second rehabilitation is described as a process of adaptation, beginning with the first injury and still ongoing, more than 5 years later. Participants applied different coping strategies to adapt to these life-altering injuries, but the common denominator was of major life adjustments with no return to previous activity levels. Initially, after the reinjury, it was about coping with the catastrophe of the dreaded second injury. Over time, they accepted their “new” life and reset their recovery/rehabilitation goal not just as “return to sport” but rather as a “personal life goal”. CONCLUSION: Undergoing a second ACL injury is a long process that challenges the patient’s coping skills. Given these results, rehabilitation programs need to be more person centred according to the patients-adjusted life goals. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00167-021-06762-x.