When an athlete goes down on the pitch, the first responder's training kicks in immediately. They assess the mechanism, stabilise the injury, manage pain, and facilitate safe removal from the field of play. But in that same moment, something else is happening that rarely features in any emergency action plan.

Returning to sport after an ACL injury is often described as a physical journey. Athletes spend months rebuilding strength, balance, range of movement, and confidence in their knee. This blog explores why mental health should be considered alongside physical testing when supporting athletes after ACL injury.