This continuing education manual synthesizes the University of Calgary Sport Medicine Centre's criterion-based five-stage anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction rehabilitation protocol into a clinically usable psychological framework. It covers the physical and psychological challenges patients face through recovery, conceptual psychological mechanisms such as graded exposure and self-efficacy, psychological assessment and intervention strategies specific to each rehabilitation stage, management of risk factors, and the role of the psychologist within the multidisciplinary rehabilitation team. It aims to equip psychologists and graduate clinicians with the knowledge to effectively support patients through the complex biopsychosocial process of ACL recovery lasting approximately nine months.

Licensed Psychologists Counseling Professionals Graduate-Level Clinicians Sport Medicine Clinicians Orthopedic Rehabilitation Specialists

Program Objectives

Describe 5 stages of ACL reconstruction rehabilitation and key psychological tasks associated with each stage

Identify 4 psychological risk factors and opportunities during ACL rehabilitation

Explain 3 conceptual mechanisms linking physical rehabilitation to psychological processes in ACL recovery

Integrate 4 evidence-based psychological interventions calibrated to ACL rehabilitation stages