The ACL Athlete Podcast

Ravi Patel
  • 5.0 (84)
  • 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. 6d ago

    289 | Why Your Surgeon's Favorite Graft Might Not Be Right For Your ACL Surgery

    In this episode, we tackle one of the most repeated pieces of advice in the ACL space, the idea that the best graft is simply the one your surgeon is best at. It sounds reasonable. Athletes hear it in consults, in physical therapy offices, and all over Reddit and Facebook groups. But there is a gap between that advice and the full picture, and it is a gap that has cost more than a few ACLers a smoother recovery. We break down what actually gets left out of that conversation and why it matters far more than most people realize before they ever sit down for a consult. If you are facing a graft decision, or you already have one and something has felt off since, this episode gets into exactly what question you should have been asking all along. _________ 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

  2. Aug 6

    288 | Should You Let Your PT Crank On Your Knee In ACL Rehab?

    In this episode, we walk through a real case that has us fired up. An ACL athlete four and a half months post op, 40 physical therapy sessions in, finally hit a breaking point and told her PT to stop. We get into what was actually happening in that clinic, why it backfired, and a detail about her knee that should have been caught weeks earlier. We also break down the real difference between what builds lasting range of motion and what just feels like progress in the moment. If you've ever dreaded walking into a PT session, this one will change how you think about that feeling. _________ 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

  3. Jul 30

    287 | 9 Lessons I Learned After Tearing My ACL Twice

    In this episode we get personal. We are pulling back the curtain on two ACL tears in two completely different chapters of life, and the nine lessons that came out of both. We talk about the moment denial feels more like certainty than fear, why the first six weeks matter more than people think, and why doing everything right does not always mean the knee cooperates. If you have ever felt behind in your own recovery, or you are the person guiding someone through theirs, this conversation will change how you think about the entire process. _________ 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

  4. Jul 23

    286 | 5 Signs It's Time to Switch Your PT

    In this episode we walk through the quiet signs that your ACL recovery might not be on the track it should be. We get into what actually separates a provider who knows what they're doing from one who is behind, the questions you should be able to answer but probably can't, and the moment we think you should stop giving someone the benefit of the doubt. This one is for ACL athletes who have a feeling something is off but can't quite name it, and for clinicians who want to sharpen how they show up for their own athletes. _________ 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

  5. Jul 16

    285 | The Mental Toll of ACL Rehab Nobody Talks About

    In this episode, we open up about the side of ACL rehab that almost no one prepares you for, the mental toll that runs right alongside the physical recovery. We talk about why this process is a rollercoaster and not the clean linear path people expect, why the negative thoughts tend to hit harder than the wins, and what happens when the crutches ared done and everyone around you assumes you are fine while you are still deep in it. Whether you are an athlete fresh off surgery, someone years out still searching for answers, a clinician guiding these cases, or a parent or partner supporting someone you love, this one is a reminder that the mental half of recovery deserves just as much attention as the physical, and that no one should be walking this road alone. _________ 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

  6. Jul 9

    284 | Why Hamstring Co-Activation Might Be Blocking Your Knee Extension

    In this episode, we break down why your knee extension might feel stuck after ACL surgery, and it is not about weakness or effort. We walk through arthrogenic muscle inhibition, a new EMG study showing how the brain co-activates the hamstrings to protect the knee, and the exact assessment and hamstring fatiguing drills to test if that protecting is what is holding back your extension. If you are an ACL athlete stuck trying to get extension back or a clinician managing this exact case, this episode gives you a new angle to add to what you are already doing. Knee Extension Assessment + Exercise Early Neuromuscular and Co-activation Patterns After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction In Males: A Case-control Exploratory Feasibility Study - Ricupito 2026 _________ 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

  7. Jul 2

    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

  8. 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

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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
    289
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The ACL Athlete Podcast
  • Show Website
    The ACL Athlete Podcast

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