Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
2026
Abstract
Background
- Prevalence: 40% of patients fail to return to sport after ACLR, with fear of reinjury as a primary barrier.
- Impact: Fear of reinjury is associated with altered movement, reinjury risk, and reduced activity.
Purpose
- To characterize the assessment methods used by PTs to assess fear of reinjury in patients post-ACLR.
Methods
- Design: A qualitative content analysis of responses to a single free-text question within a web-based survey.
- Participants: US-based PTs who reported treating ≥5 ACLR patients/year, currently assess fear of reinjury, and provided a free-text response (n=289).
- Analysis: A reflexive thematic analysis approach focusing on semantic and latent features, where codes and themes were developed from the data content.
Core Discoveries
PTs rely on serial, multimodal, and sometimes informal assessment methods which may lack validity
- PTs are willing to discuss fear.
- Despite a high degree of training PTs use some inappropriate questionnaires.
- Movement is commonly assessed, but references to specific communication strategies was limited.
Clinical Relevance
- Biopsychosocial Approach: Many PTs report using guideline-consistent assessment approaches.
- Negative Clinical Outcomes: Some PTs rely on procedures without psychometric or clinical validity.
- Communication and Questionnaires: PTs may need education on assessment frameworks.
Recommended Citation
Gunderson, Travis PT, DPT; Bye, Calle SPT; Fall, Kiana SPT; and Sackett, Bailly SPT, "Qualitative Analysis of Physical Therapist Assessment of Fear of Re-Injury Following ACL Reconstruction" (2026). DPT Capstone Posters. 42.
https://digitalcommons.csp.edu/dpt-posters/42