ACL rehabilitation is often described through protocols, timelines, and return-to-sport criteria. While these frameworks are essential, they rarely explain what the process feels like for the athlete navigating recovery day by day.

ACL Rehabilitation: Beyond the Protocol bridges the gap between clinical structure and lived experience.

Written from the perspective of an athlete with a background in sports science, this book follows the full ACL rehabilitation journey from pre-operative preparation to long-term injury prevention. It explores not only the physical demands of recovery but also the psychological challenges that accompany each phase, including uncertainty, fear, readiness, and trust.

Rather than offering a universal protocol, this guide provides an evidence-informed, athlete-centred perspective on rehabilitation. It challenges common misconceptions around timelines, clearance, and return to sport, highlighting why being “cleared” does not always mean being ready to compete.

Grounded in structure, guided by evidence, and informed by lived experience, this book offers a realistic view of ACL rehabilitation—beyond checklists, beyond timelines, and beyond return to sport.

This book is intended for:
• Athletes recovering from ACL injury
• Sports science students and early-career practitioners
• Coaches and clinicians seeking an athlete-informed perspective