Date of Award

2012

Document Type

Research Paper

First Advisor

Ann Hickey

Second Advisor

Patricia Van Oosbree

Abstract

Injuries have always been a major concern for athletes; anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are among the most common serious injuries around. With the increase in reported ACL injuries, this has become a sort of epidemic especially among female athletes. Female athletes are three times more likely to experience a knee injury than a male athlete competing in the same sport. Since this increase in the last decade, researchers have developed several different hypotheses as to why females are more likely to experience these injuries. With these injuries there is a physical aspect, however, it is much more than that, it could have a profound effect emotionally, mentally, and financially, The psychological effects of injury has been a topic of interest in the last decade. There has been an increase in research that has been done on this topic because of its significant effect on the rehabilitation process and the the athlete themselves. Social support and psychological techniques that are integrated in the rehabilitation process have shown to have a positive effect of the recovery of said athlete. This paper will cover all aspects of the ACL injury and its components, starting off with an anatomical breakdown of the knee covering bones to muscles and tendons. It will then move on to an ACL tear pathology describing in detail the different aspects of an ACL tear. Moving into the psychological effects and injury has on an athlete and different techniques that can be used during the rehabilitation process. The paper finishes with a rehabilitation plan, in which said athlete can use to progress through post operation. The sample plan focuses on an ACL tear, going through specific stages.

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