What goes through your mind the night before ACL surgery?

In this episode of The PTCH Podcast, we sit down with a local high school 3-sport athlete who is preparing for ACL reconstruction surgery the very next day. We talk honestly about fear, expectations, identity, recovery timelines, and what young athletes (and parents) should actually know before surgery.

This isn’t a highlight-reel injury story. It’s the human side of an ACL tear—what it feels like when sports, plans, and confidence all get put on pause.

We break down:

• What an ACL tear really means for high school athletes

• Common myths about ACL surgery and recovery

• What recovery actually looks like (physically and mentally)

• Advice for athletes, parents, and coaches navigating this moment

If you or your child is facing an ACL injury, this episode is required listening.

05:12 – High School Athlete Faces ACL Tear
(ACL tear, high school athlete, sports injury)

06:00 – How the ACL Injury Happened (Football Game)
(ACL injury, football injury, knee injury)

15:30 – Diagnosed With a Torn ACL
(torn ACL, ACL diagnosis, MRI results)

18:30 – Prehab Before ACL Surgery (Why It Matters)
(ACL prehab, ACL surgery preparation, physical therapy)

30:15 – ACL Surgery Recovery Timeline Explained
(ACL surgery recovery, return to sport, rehab timeline)

47:30 – The Night Before ACL Surgery
(ACL surgery, mental health, athlete mindset)