The ACL Athlete Podcast

The ACL Athlete Podcast

Ravi Patel

Episodes 266
Avg. Duration 21m
Activity Highly Active
Since Feb 2021
Latest Episode Mar 2026

Publishing Details

Schedule
Weekly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
99%
Hosting
feeds.buzzsprout.com

Contact & Outreach

About This 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.

Social Media

Explore Statistics

Recent Episodes

266 | Complex ACL Cases: The More Complicated, The More Opinions You May Need

Mar 05, 2026 34m

In this episode, we break down what it actually means to have a complicated ACL/knee case, from multi-ligament involvement and cartilage damage to post-op complications like cyclops lesions, scar…

265 | Five Years of The ACL Athlete Podcast + Five Lessons Learned

Feb 26, 2026 31m

In this episode, we mark five years of The ACL Athlete Podcast by doing something I almost let pass entirely: sitting down with no agenda, and saying the things that have never quite been said…

264 | Your ACL Rehab Is Hard… But Is It Actually Helping?

Feb 19, 2026 11m

In this episode, we unpack a big misconception in ACL rehab: the belief that if PT feels hard, it must be working. We break down why sweat, fatigue, and high heart rates don’t automatically equal…

263 | Quad Size Still Smaller? The Science Behind Persistent Quad Atrophy after ACLR

Feb 12, 2026 33m

In this episode, we tackle one of the most frustrating and under-discussed parts of ACL rehab: your quad is still smaller months later, and you’re wondering if something is wrong. I break down what…

262 | The Human Body Is Resilient: Redefining ACL Limits Through Lindsey Vonn's Story

Feb 06, 2026 21m

In this episode, we take a deeper, more grounded look at resilience through the lens of Lindsey Vonn's ACL journey. Not as motivation, but as a real, physical, and mental demonstration of what the…

261 | The ACL Is a Seatbelt: You Don’t Know You Need It Until You Do

Jan 29, 2026 22m

In this episode, we unpack why “feeling good” late in ACL rehab can be one of the most misleading signals an athlete can rely on. Using the ACL-as-a-seatbelt analogy, we break down why the ligament…

260 | Arthrofibrosis After ACLR: Trusting Your Gut When Rehab Isn’t Adding Up

Jan 22, 2026 24m

In this episode, we dive into one of the most overlooked and misunderstood aspects of ACL rehab: what to do when your knee just doesn’t feel right. You can be doing everything “by the book,” checking…

259 | Why Your ACL Rehab Needs a Guide, Not Just a Protocol

Jan 15, 2026 28m

In this episode, we tackle one of the most common (and costly) questions in ACL rehab: when you should bring in an ACL specialist: right away, or “later when it really matters.” Using analogies like…

258 | The 24-Hour Rule: The ACL Rehab Mindset You Need in the New Year

Jan 08, 2026 15m

In this episode, we kick off the new year with one of the most important conversations in ACL rehab: your mindset. Drawing inspiration from performance coach and author Steve Magness, this episode…

257 | Stuck in ACL Rehab: Why So Many ACLers Fall Through the Cracks

Jan 01, 2026 35m

In this episode, we break down the most common and frustrating path that ACL athletes take as they move through rehab and quietly fall through the cracks. From early progress that masks deeper…

256 | Proactive > Reactive: The ACL Surgery Prep That Separates Successful Recoveries

Dec 25, 2025 29m

In this episode, we breaks down one of the most underestimated factors in ACL recovery: what happens before surgery even begins. As the end of the year approaches and more athletes rush into ACL…

255 | ACL Injuries Happen - Re-Injuries Don’t Have To: Where Your Focus Actually Matters

Dec 18, 2025 17m

In this episode, we break down the recent wave of high-profile NFL ACL injuries, including Patrick Mahomes and Micah Parsons, and use them as a powerful lens to challenge how we think about why ACL…

254 | An Orthopedic Surgeon's Perspective on What Matters More: Surgery vs. Rehab

Dec 11, 2025 16m

In this episode, we break down a powerful message from orthopedic surgeon Dr. Howard Luks - a message every ACL athlete needs to hear. After more than 30 years in the operating room, Dr. Luks says…

253 | The Most Underrated Load Management Tool After ACL Surgery

Dec 04, 2025 45m

In this episode, we break down one of the most underrated, yet most influential parts of ACL rehab: step count. While most athletes focus on rehab, graft types, or protocol milestones, the real…

252 | AnnKNEEversary - It Takes A Village

Nov 27, 2025 25m

In this episode, we celebrate another “AnnKNEEversary” of my ACL surgery and use it as a checkpoint to zoom out on life, rehab, and the people who carry us through both. I share stories from my own…

251 | Knee Flexion Truths in ACL Rehab: What’s Normal, What’s Not, and What Actually Matters

Nov 20, 2025 12m

In this episode, we unpack the real truth about knee flexion after ACL surgery — what’s normal, what’s not, and how much it actually matters in your recovery. We break down the key milestones you…

250 | From Hopeless to Hopeful: The Mindset Shift After Another ACL Tear

Nov 13, 2025 36m

In this episode, you’ll hear a fired-up deep dive on answering an ACLers question after another ACL injury. We dive into why they happen more than they should, what actually moves the needle on…

249 | The Sweet Spot Debate: Can You Return to Sport in Less than 9 Months in ACL Rehab?

Nov 06, 2025 30m

In this episode, we unpack the Tucker Kraft ACL news to zoom out on what “typical” return timelines really look like, even for pros with round-the-clock resources. We walk through why nine months…

248 | Stop “Easing Into It”: The Framework to Make Return to Sport Less Scary in ACL Rehab

Oct 30, 2025 27m

In this episode, we unpack why “you’re cleared—just ease into it” isn’t a plan. Using an ACLer's real check-in, I break down the dimmer-switch approach to fear and confidence: gradually dosing…

247 | 7 Key Considerations for Strength Testing in ACL Rehab

Oct 23, 2025 26m

In this episode, we dig into seven must-know considerations for strength testing in ACL rehab—from why your first test is rarely the full story, to how pain can cap output, to the nitty-gritty of…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The ACL Athlete Podcast have?

The ACL Athlete Podcast has published 266 episodes since February 2021, covering topics in Fitness, Health & Fitness.

Is The ACL Athlete Podcast still active?

The ACL Athlete Podcast is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 21m.

How do I contact The ACL Athlete Podcast for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for The ACL Athlete Podcast, including email and social media links.

Similar Podcasts