Non-copers Have Greater Pain-Related Fear of Re-injury after ACL Rupture Compared to Potential Copers

Introduction: After anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, potential copers (PCs) and non-copers (NCs) are differentiated based on functional ability and knee stability. Due to frequent episodes of the knee giving way, rehabilitation specialists recommend NCs undergo ACL reconstruction (ACLR) prior to the resumption of sport activities. Some PCs opt to have non-operative management while others chose ACLR. PCs who choose non-operative management receive neuromuscular rehabilitation to increase their success in dynamically stabilizing their knee during challenging tasks. Fear of movement/reinjury is measured using the shortened version of the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK-11) questionnaire. After ACLR, TSK-11 scores have been found to be inversely related to function and to decrease over time. . It is unknown if TSK-11 scores differ between NCs and PCs who choose ACLR or non-operative management, and how TSK-11 scores are associated with function in these cohorts.