I talk about it with my patients from day one, as soon as I suspect an ACL tear. I want my patients to realize what's happening and make them aware that the psychological impact is almost as important as the physical.
They need to be aware they're not the only ones who go through these types of feelings and frustrations – that this is a problem for a lot of people. I give them articles to read and make sure to talk to all of my patients, especially the younger ones.
Just by bringing it up and acknowledging it as a problem, you can see people who were down start to smile. Just talking about it and identifying it as a problem, you can see the difference in how they respond and their physical body gestures.