The ACL Athlete Podcast

Ravi Patel
  • 5.0 (83)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 3h ago

    283 | 10 Common NMES Mistakes in ACL Rehab - Part 2

    In this episode, we close out our two-part NMES series by getting into the setup and execution details that make or break every individual session. We cover the five most common mistakes we see in how athletes actually run their NMES sessions: rushing the duty cycle and cutting rest short, placing pads in the wrong spots instead of over motor points, using electrode pads that are too small for the quad, letting poor skin contact and worn-out pads quietly degrade session quality, and unknowingly underperforming because of dead or fading batteries. We close with a rapid-fire breakdown of the key technical parameters every athlete and clinician should know: pulse duration, frequency range, how to vary contraction rate, and when to use voluntary versus involuntary contractions. If you listened to Part 1 and you are already using NMES, this episode is where you tighten everything up and make sure each session is actually delivering what it should. NMES Device: Balego on AmazonPad and other equipmentMotor Points for the Quads Motor point heatmap guide for neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the quadriceps muscleMuscle motor point identification is essential for optimizing neuromuscular electrical stimulation use NMES Research Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is effective in strengthening the quadriceps muscle after anterior cruciate ligament surgery - Hauger 2018Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction on Quadriceps Strength, Function, and Patient-Oriented Outcomes : A Systematic Review - Kim 2010Utility of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation to Preserve Quadriceps Muscle Fiber Size and Contractility After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries and Reconstruction: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled, Blinded Trial - Toth 2020Can the Use of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Be Improved to Optimize Quadriceps Strengthening? - Glaviano 2015Who’s Afraid of Electrical Stimulation? Let’s Revisit the Application of NMES at the Knee - Arhos 2024_________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired of guessing. Objective testing so you know you are actually ready, a custom + structured program built around your goals, and an expert ACL coach in your corner from anywhere in the world. You will always know where you are, where you are going, and what to do next. Start with a free consult call: www.theaclathlete.com/coaching _________ Free weekly newsletter The ACL Athlete VALUE Newsletter. ACL advice, go-to exercises, research breakdowns, and the frameworks we use. _________ More from The ACL Athlete Website: www.theaclathlete.com Submit a topic or question for a future podcast episode Instagram: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt Email: ravi@theaclathlete.com

    36 min

  2. Jun 25

    282 | 10 Common NMES Mistakes in ACL Rehab - Part 1

    In this episode we kick off a two-part series on one of the most valuable tools in ACL rehab: neuromuscular electrical stimulation, or NMES. We break down why arthrogenic muscle inhibition makes quad recovery so much harder than most athletes expect, why stopping NMES the moment the quad starts firing is one of the most common and costly mistakes we see, and how a simple shift in frequency and intensity can produce up to seven times more stimulus than a standard in-person PT session alone. We also cover the difference between a TENS unit and an NMES unit, what max tolerable intensity actually means in practice, and when to reintroduce NMES if quad strength has plateaued deep into recovery. Whether you are an ACL athlete, a clinician, a parent supporting someone through this process, or a coach working with post-op athletes, this episode gives you the knowledge to ask better questions and get more out of every session. NMES Device: Balego on AmazonPad and other equipmentMotor Points for the Quads Motor point heatmap guide for neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the quadriceps muscleMuscle motor point identification is essential for optimizing neuromuscular electrical stimulation use NMES Research Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is effective in strengthening the quadriceps muscle after anterior cruciate ligament surgery - Hauger 2018Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction on Quadriceps Strength, Function, and Patient-Oriented Outcomes : A Systematic Review - Kim 2010Utility of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation to Preserve Quadriceps Muscle Fiber Size and Contractility After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries and Reconstruction: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled, Blinded Trial - Toth 2020Can the Use of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Be Improved to Optimize Quadriceps Strengthening? - Glaviano 2015Who’s Afraid of Electrical Stimulation? Let’s Revisit the Application of NMES at the Knee - Arhos 2024_________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired of guessing. Objective testing so you know you are actually ready, a custom + structured program built around your goals, and an expert ACL coach in your corner from anywhere in the world. You will always know where you are, where you are going, and what to do next. Start with a free consult call: www.theaclathlete.com/coaching _________ Free weekly newsletter The ACL Athlete VALUE Newsletter. ACL advice, go-to exercises, research breakdowns, and the frameworks we use. _________ More from The ACL Athlete Website: www.theaclathlete.com Submit a topic or question for a future podcast episode Instagram: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt Email: ravi@theaclathlete.com

    32 min

  3. Jun 18

    281 | Is Knee Soreness Normal in ACL Rehab?

    Is knee soreness in ACL rehab normal, or a sign something is wrong? In this episode we break down the real difference between soreness and pain, why soreness shows up more in mid and late stage rehab, the three most common causes, and the exact framework we use with our athletes to know when to keep pushing and when to pull back. A simple way to read your knee instead of fearing the worst. _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired of guessing. Objective testing so you know you are actually ready, a custom + structured program built around your goals, and an expert ACL coach in your corner from anywhere in the world. You will always know where you are, where you are going, and what to do next. Start with a free consult call: www.theaclathlete.com/coaching _________ Free weekly newsletter The ACL Athlete VALUE Newsletter. ACL advice, go-to exercises, research breakdowns, and the frameworks we use. _________ More from The ACL Athlete Website: www.theaclathlete.com Submit a topic or question for a future podcast episode Instagram: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt Email: ravi@theaclathlete.com

    34 min

  4. Jun 11

    280 | Further Out and Still Not There: Why Your ACL Recovery Is Taking Longer Than You Expected

    In this episode, we dig into one of the most common and quietly painful experiences in ACL recovery: being months or even years out from surgery and still not feeling close to where you thought you would be. We break down why the 9-to-12-month timeline, as useful as it is as a starting point, was never a guarantee, and why using it as a personal benchmark is setting so many athletes up to feel like they failed a recovery they were never given the right tools to complete. We walk through the real variables that extend timelines beyond what anyone warned you about, including injury complexity, graft type, complications like scar tissue and cyclops lesions, the quality and individualization of care inside a system not built for long recoveries, and the reality of life not pausing for rehab. We share real examples of athletes we are currently working with who are two years out, never been tested, or navigating their fourth ACL surgery, to show you that a longer road is not the exception. We close with a challenge to audit your own process honestly, because the difference between being stuck and making real progress often comes down to whether you actually know your numbers, have programming built for you specifically, and have someone who can tell you where you are and what comes next. _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired of guessing. Objective testing so you know you are actually ready, a custom + structured program built around your goals, and an expert ACL coach in your corner from anywhere in the world. You will always know where you are, where you are going, and what to do next. Start with a free consult call: www.theaclathlete.com/coaching _________ Free weekly newsletter The ACL Athlete VALUE Newsletter. ACL advice, go-to exercises, research breakdowns, and the frameworks we use. _________ More from The ACL Athlete Website: www.theaclathlete.com Submit a topic or question for a future podcast episode Instagram: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt Email: ravi@theaclathlete.com

    29 min

  5. Jun 4

    279 | Bone Bruise After an ACL Injury: What It Means for Your Rehab and Recovery

    In this episode, we take a deep dive into one of the most overlooked pieces of the ACL injury: bone bruising. Present in roughly 85% of ACL tears, bone bruises are almost always mentioned in the MRI report and almost always glossed over in the clinical conversation. We break down what a bone bruise actually is at the tissue level, why the classic "kissing contusion" pattern shows up on the lateral side of the knee, and how the Costa-Paz grading system helps us understand severity. We walk through three key research findings on healing timelines, cartilage risk, and long term outcomes. We also get into the practical rehab implications: why bone bruising is one of the strongest arguments for not rushing into surgery, how it contributes to slower swelling resolution and quad activation in prehab, what it means for early post-op loading, and how to use symptoms and criteria rather than the calendar to guide progressions. Whether you are an athlete trying to make sense of what your knee is telling you or a clinician looking to factor this into your clinical reasoning, this episode gives the bone bruise the airtime it deserves. _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired of guessing. Objective testing so you know you are actually ready, a custom + structured program built around your goals, and an expert ACL coach in your corner from anywhere in the world. You will always know where you are, where you are going, and what to do next. Start with a free consult call: www.theaclathlete.com/coaching _________ Free weekly newsletter The ACL Athlete VALUE Newsletter. ACL advice, go-to exercises, research breakdowns, and the frameworks we use. _________ More from The ACL Athlete Website: www.theaclathlete.com Submit a topic or question for a future podcast episode Instagram: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt Email: ravi@theaclathlete.com

    44 min

  6. May 28

    278 | How to Navigate a Second ACL Opinion: Before Surgery, After Surgery, and Complex Cases

    In this episode, we break down how to actually navigate second (or third) opinions in ACL care without getting overwhelmed or stuck in decision paralysis. From pre-surgery planning to post-op confusion and complex, lingering symptoms, we walk through how to collect the right information, interpret conflicting recommendations, and identify when a new set of eyes is truly needed. You’ll hear how different surgeons can look at the same knee and arrive at completely different conclusions, why medical records can miss key parts of your lived experience, and how insurance and logistics quietly shape your options more than most people realize. Most importantly, this episode gives you a structured way to move from uncertainty to clarity by focusing on patterns, not isolated opinions. _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired of guessing. Objective testing so you know you are actually ready, a custom + structured program built around your goals, and an expert ACL coach in your corner from anywhere in the world. You will always know where you are, where you are going, and what to do next. Start with a free consult call: www.theaclathlete.com/coaching _________ Free weekly newsletter The ACL Athlete VALUE Newsletter. ACL advice, go-to exercises, research breakdowns, and the frameworks we use. _________ More from The ACL Athlete Website: www.theaclathlete.com Submit a topic or question for a future podcast episode Instagram: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt Email: ravi@theaclathlete.com

    35 min

  7. May 21

    277 | The Sympathy Gap: When the Visible Markers of ACL Rehab Disappear

    In this episode, we talk about one of the quietest and most underrated phases of ACL recovery: the window after the crutches and brace are gone, but the real work is still very much in progress. We call it the sympathy gap, and it shows up when the visible markers of your injury disappear and the people around you quietly assume the story is over. We share what this phase actually looks like, why it hits so hard, and what you can do to stay grounded when the outside world has moved on, and the inside has not. Whether you are eight weeks post-op or deep into mid-stage rehab, if you have ever answered "I'm good" when you were not, this one is for you. _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired of guessing. Objective testing so you know you are actually ready, a custom + structured program built around your goals, and an expert ACL coach in your corner from anywhere in the world. You will always know where you are, where you are going, and what to do next. Start with a free consult call: www.theaclathlete.com/coaching _________ Free weekly newsletter The ACL Athlete VALUE Newsletter. ACL advice, go-to exercises, research breakdowns, and the frameworks we use. _________ More from The ACL Athlete Website: www.theaclathlete.com Submit a topic or question for a future podcast episode Instagram: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt Email: ravi@theaclathlete.com

    18 min

  8. May 14

    276 | Two-Stage Revision ACL Reconstruction Part 2: The Surgery, the Research, and the Road Back

    In this episode, we go deeper into the two-stage revision ACL reconstruction process, starting with what actually happens during Stage 1 and why understanding the bone work changes how you think about the months that follow. We break down the interstage period, the stretch between Stage 1 and Stage 2 that we argue is the most underappreciated phase in all of ACL rehab, and walk through exactly what that window should look like physically and mentally. We cover the research, including what the MARS Group, Mitchell and colleagues, Gopinatth and colleagues, and the 2025 Sutton meta-analysis actually show about outcomes after revision reconstruction, and we name the numbers honestly, including the return to sport gap between returning to some activity and returning to the pre-injury level. We close with direct takeaways for both athletes and clinicians, and we bring the story we opened Episode 275 with full circle. _________ Want a clear plan for your ACL rehab? 1 on 1 Remote ACL Coaching is for ACLers who are tired of guessing. Objective testing so you know you are actually ready, a custom + structured program built around your goals, and an expert ACL coach in your corner from anywhere in the world. You will always know where you are, where you are going, and what to do next. Start with a free consult call: www.theaclathlete.com/coaching _________ Free weekly newsletter The ACL Athlete VALUE Newsletter. ACL advice, go-to exercises, research breakdowns, and the frameworks we use. _________ More from The ACL Athlete Website: www.theaclathlete.com Submit a topic or question for a future podcast episode Instagram: www.instagram.com/ravipatel.dpt Email: ravi@theaclathlete.com

    55 min
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5
out of 5
83 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Ravi Patel
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    283
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The ACL Athlete Podcast
  • Show Website
    The ACL Athlete Podcast

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