The ACL Athlete Podcast
The ACL Athlete Podcast brings you everything you need to know about ACL injuries. This podcast creates discussion around the ACL injury itself, research, rehab, performance, return to sport, mindset, you name it. I'm your host, Dr. Ravi Patel, Performance Physical Therapist, Coach, and 2x ACL athlete. I invite you to join me as we explore insights, expertise, personal stories, and experiences - from the athlete to the healthcare professional to the coach, so that we, together, can raise the standard of care and revolutionize the field of ACL injuries and rehab.
Episodes
244 episodes
244 | Why Junk Volume Is Holding Back Your ACL Progress
In this episode, we dive into a very common issue many ACLers are unknowingly dealing with - junk volume. It's something that is preventing progress. If you’ve ever felt stuck, having a swollen or painful knee, or just burnt out from doing ...
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43:27
243 | Inside the OR: Important Lessons I Took From Watching ACL Surgery Firsthand - Part 3
In this episode, we wrap up a powerful 3-part series diving into what happens inside the operating room during ACL surgery—and how it directly impacts everything that follows in rehab. I share final takeaways after shadowing a respected orthope...
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41:23
242 | Inside the OR: Important Lessons I Took From Watching ACL Surgery Firsthand - Part 2
In this part 2 of the 3-part podcast episode series, we dive into my OR experience with an orthopedic surgeon to uncover the real-world nuances of ACL surgery. From patellar tendon grafts vs. quad tendons, to the impact of graft harvest sites a...
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29:04
241 | Inside the OR: Important Lessons I Took From Watching ACL Surgery Firsthand - Part 1
In this part 1 of the 3-part podcast episode series, I take you inside the OR to share fresh, front-row takeaways from watching multiple ACL surgeries—BPTB autografts, meniscectomies vs repairs, and lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET). You’...
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29:52
240 | A Hidden Factor in ACL Strength Testing – Familiarization
In this episode, we break down a rarely talked-about but crucial concept in ACL rehab: familiarization with strength testing. From isometric quad tests to full testing protocols, we talk through how unfamiliarity with machines, cues, and even t...
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20:25
239 | Normalize the Setback: Why Never Having One Can Be A Problem in ACL Rehab
In this episode, we break down why flare-ups and setbacks in ACL rehab are not only normal but expected when you’re pushing your limits. Using simple analogies like “bandwidth” and the “cup”, we explain how setbacks are data points, not failure...
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19:06
238 | Pro Athletes vs. The Rest of Us: The Truth About ACL Surgery Timing
In this episode, we break down why professional athletes often have ACL surgery within days of injury while most people are advised to wait. I share five key differences—from the role of prehab and long-term outcomes to the massive resources, c...
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22:41
237 | The $200 Lesson That Could Save Your ACL Rehab
In this episode, I share a personal story about repeatedly trying—and failing—to fix my broken AC, and how it parallels ACL rehab. We dive into why even those with fitness or rehab backgrounds can miss critical blind spots, the hidden costs of ...
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26:25
236 | Running Optional: Redefining Milestones in ACL Rehab
In this episode, we dive into the role of running as a milestone in ACL rehab—why it matters, when it should be introduced, and whether it’s even necessary for every athlete. We break down the difference between blindly following time-based pro...
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19:51
235 | The Bracing Illusion: Why Your Knee Isn’t as Straight as You Think
In this episode, we dive into the “bracing illusion” many ACL athletes face after surgery. We break down why relying on a locked brace can give a false sense of security around knee extension — and why zero degrees is not good enough. You’ll le...
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17:31
234 | When Sh*t Happens in ACL Rehab: What to Do (and What NOT to Do)
In this episode, we talk about one of the most underrated but guaranteed parts of ACL rehab. Sh*t will happen. Whether it’s a flare-up, a groin strain, a missed session, or life throwing curveballs—sh*t happens. I share my personal story of a r...
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22:46
233 | Stuck, Lost, and Piecing It Together: The ACL Rehab No One Talks About
In this episode, we tackle one of the biggest issues plaguing ACL rehab today: athletes being left to “figure it out”. Just because you’re cleared doesn’t mean you’re ready—and DIY-ing your own rehab using Instagram exercises or generic templat...
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27:11
232 | You Had a Cyclops Lesion Removed—Now What?
In this episode, we dive into what happens after a cyclops lesion is removed during ACL rehab. While many think it’s a quick fix, we dive into why a thoughtful game plan is essential to avoid setbacks—especially with extension and quad activati...
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16:20
231 | Regression ≠ Failure: Reframing Setbacks in ACL Rehab
In this episode, we explore one of the most misunderstood aspects of ACL rehab: setbacks. We dive deep into the non-linear nature of recovery and how regression doesn’t mean failure and how reframing this makes a massive difference in this proc...
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17:51
230 | Undercooked > Overcooked: The Golden Rule of ACL Rehab
In this episode, we dive into a powerful analogy—the undercooked vs. overcooked concept—to reframe how we approach loading and progression in ACL rehab. We emphasize the importance of starting conservatively to avoid unnecessary flare-ups that ...
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17:47
229 | From Stuck to Seen: How Advocating Changed This ACL Rehab Trajectory
In this episode, we dive into the real-life case of a 14-year-old female athlete navigating a complex ACL rehab journey. From prehab through post-op frustrations, the story unpacks the common—but often overlooked—issue of a cyclops lesion, and ...
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27:01
228 | The One ACL Exercise Everyone’s Told to Do—That I Rarely Prescribe
In this episode, we break down a specific exercise—often a staple in early ACL rehab—isn’t the universal must-do exercise it’s made out to be. Speaking directly to both ACL athletes and clinicians, I'm sharing a candid conversation with an athl...
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29:35
227 | Why The Best Surgeon Can’t Save You From Bad ACL Rehab
In this episode, we discuss a common theme that I often see with ACLers when it comes to choosing their ACL team. We dive into how this search looks, the best and worst case scenarios, a helpful rating system, and accessing elite level care.
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26:47
226 | The #1 Mistake After ACL Surgery That Keeps Swelling Around
In this episode, we tackle the #1 mistake I often see that makes swelling stick around. We dive into the downsides of swelling, diagnosing the problem, ACLers who feel they're "following the plan", case examples, and a very helpful 4-step frame...
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35:01
225 | Vacation or Setback? Navigating Travel During ACL Rehab
In this episode, we dive into navigating travel during ACL rehab. Inevitably, travel will happen for many folks over the course of 9-12+ months of a rehab process. So how do you handle it? This episode covers the conversations we have with our ...
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17:32
224 | The Real Price of Waiting: Opportunity Cost in ACL Rehab
In this episode, we discuss opportunity cost in ACL rehab. Every decision we make has an opportunity cost. Each week, I have people reach out with problems, questions, and concerns regarding their cases. I want to break down the realities of th...
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37:32
223 | Rehab Realities vs. The Reel: The Social Media Illusion of ACL Recovery
In this episode, we discuss the realities behind a true ACL rehab journey vs. what you might see on social media. Understanding the purpose of these platforms and the inherent nature of social media can help us understand how to better filter w...
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14:11
222 | Your Built-In Benchmark: Why the Uninvolved Side Can Be Your ACL Rehab Guide
In this episode, we discuss a commonly overlooked benchmark in ACL rehab - your uninvolved side. While this leg has to take on the load early on, it can be a helpful proxy for a number of things in the ACL rehab process. What's important is tha...
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20:29
221 | How to Build Your ACL Athlete Dashboard - Measure What Matters
In this episode, we dive into the building your ACL athlete dashboard - a big part of pulling from the quote: "what gets measured gets managed". We go hard on this one talking about the dangers of the wrong things, focusing on very simple 3 ste...
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50:40
220 | The One Question Every ACL Athlete Must Ask Their PT
In this episode, we share the number one question to vet and see if your physical therapist/rehab provider is legit for you and your ACL rehab. We break down why this is so important, how it can tell you a lot, the typical process ACLers go thr...
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38:57