Psychological Aspects of Adolescent Knee Injuries

Clin Sports Med. 2022 Oct;41(4):595-609. doi: 10.1016/j.csm.2022.05.003.

Abstract

Knee injuries are prevalent in pediatric and adolescent athletes, leading to both physical and psychological disturbances following injury. Various preoperative psychological measures of maladaptive beliefs-including kinesiophobia, fear avoidance, and pain catastrophizing-can predict responses to recovery, such as knee function, knee-related quality of life, and return-to-sport. Treatment recommendations for the psychological aspect of adolescent knee injuries can include screening patients to identify those at high risk for poor recovery. These patients can be targeted with psychologically informed media or cognitive-behavioral therapy models aimed at reducing maladaptive beliefs and supporting individualized motivations and recovery goals.

Keywords: Adolescent; Injury; Knee; Pediatric; Psychological; Recovery; Treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries*
  • Catastrophization
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Knee Injuries* / diagnosis
  • Knee Injuries* / therapy
  • Knee Joint / surgery
  • Quality of Life
  • Return to Sport