biostudies-literatureCarter HMHEE/NIHRNational Institute for Health Research (NIHR)e079468https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11409353biostudies-literatureUnknown14(9)<h4>Objectives</h4>This study aimed to understand the lived experiences of patients on the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) pathway up to 3 months before, 3 months after and 1 year after surgery. Study objectives were to explore (1) patient experiences of preoperative and postoperative treatment, (2) views of/involvement in prehabilitation and (3) sources and consistency of healthcare advice.<h4>Design</h4>Semi-structured interviews analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.<h4>Setting</h4>Midlands, England.<h4>Participants</h4>Purposive sample of 18 participants aged 18-45. Three identified as female and 15 as male. Participants' ethnic origin was white (n=14), Indian (n=2), British Asian (n=1) and Pakistani (n=1). 10 participants were awaiting ACLR, six were 3months postBMJ open'Going through the motions'; a rich account of the complexity of the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction pathway, a UK qualitative study.PMC11409353NIHR302104Webster KESmith BEMoffatt FBeard DJLeighton PLogan PCarter HMfalse'Going through the motions'; a rich account of the complexity of the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction pathway, a UK qualitative study.<h4>Objectives</h4>This study aimed to understand the lived experiences of patients on the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) pathway up to 3 months before, 3 months after and 1 year after surgery. Study objectives were to explore (1) patient experiences of preoperative and postoperative treatment, (2) views of/involvement in prehabilitation and (3) sources and consistency of healthcare advice.<h4>Design</h4>Semi-structured interviews analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.<h4>Setting</h4>Midlands, England.<h4>Participants</h4>Purposive sample of 18 participants aged 18-45. Three identified as female and 15 as male. Participants' ethnic origin was white (n=14), Indian (n=2), British Asian (n=1) and Pakistani (n=1). 10 participants were awaiting ACLR, six were 3months post2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Sep2026-06-01T06:55:19.492Z2025-04-04T23:42:39.963ZS-EPMC114093533928901010.1136/bmjopen-2023-079468