By: Julie Eibensteiner PT, DPT, CSCS & Jenna Robertson PT, DPT, SCS
Most people think of an ACL tear as “just a knee problem.” But research shows it’s also a brain problem — and the connection runs both ways.
💥 Concussion → ACL Risk
Athletes with a history of concussion are more likely to injure their legs down the road:
- College athletes with a concussion history had a 58% higher risk of a future leg injury like an ACL tear (McPherson et al., 2021).
- In another study, athletes who had a concussion were at greater odds of tearing their ACL within three years (Beynnon et al., 2020).
Why? Concussion changes how the brain controls balance, reaction, and movement. When things get fast and chaotic, that split-second delay matters.
🦵 ACL Tear → Brain Changes
An ACL injury doesn’t just weaken the knee — it changes the way the brain works.
- After ACL reconstruction, athletes lean more on visual and attention centers of the brain instead of automatic joint sensors. That means simple tasks feel “heavier” on the brain (Grooms et al., 2024).
- Female athletes with risky landing mechanics showed greater brain activation in visual-spatial areas, suggesting their brains are working overtime just to keep the knee under control (Chaput et al., 2022).
🔑 Bottom Line
A concussion can raise your ACL risk.
An ACL tear forces your brain to reorganize.
Either way, your brain and body aren’t working as smoothly together.
At Laurus, we intentionally weave the brain–body connection into every stage of ACL rehab — from the earliest exercises to the advanced stages on the field or court. We want our athletes returning strong, confident, and ready.
