ACL injury? Your mind needs rehab just as much as your knee.

After an ACL injury, your entire life gets turned upside down – and it's not just about the knee. Sleep problems, identity loss, feeling out of control, and fear of the future are all normal, but rarely talked about. What helps: a clear daily structure, realistic goals, honest self-reflection, and connecting with people who understand. 'Dranbleiben' gives you exactly that: a system with 15 chapters, around 30 tools, and a community. No motivational platitudes – just practical tools for the phase no doctor covers.

Yes. The mental challenges after an ACL tear – loss of control, identity crisis, fear of returning to sport – occur almost identically with meniscus injuries, cartilage damage, or other serious knee injuries. The rehab timelines differ, but the mental experience is strikingly similar. The book deliberately focuses on the psychological side, not on specific exercises. That's why it works for anyone who needs mental guidance after a serious knee injury.

Not at all. The book is deliberately not a medical guide. It explains in plain language what's happening in your head – without jargon or assumed expertise. Where medical context is relevant (for example with sleep, nutrition, or pain processing), it's explained so you can understand and apply it immediately. You don't need any training, just the willingness to engage with your mental side.

Rehab guides focus on exercises, timelines, and the knee. 'Dranbleiben' focuses on you. On why you're lying awake at night. Why you're irritable. Why you're wondering if you'll ever be the person you were before. It's not a replacement for physiotherapy – it's the companion for everything that happens between physio appointments. Written from personal experience, not from a textbook.

Fear of the sport comeback is one of the most common reasons people don't return after an ACL tear – even though the knee has been stable enough for a while. 'Dranbleiben' dedicates an entire chapter to this topic and shows you how to distinguish between justified caution and paralyzing fear. You get tools to ease back in step by step – not with motivational quotes, but with an actual plan.

Around 30 tools across six categories: 7 checklists (doctor's visit, hospital bag, daily life after surgery, evening routine, physio appointment, return to sport, communication guide for family & friends), 9 templates and trackers (weekly planner, rehab journal, tracking sheet, pain diary, mood tracking, nutrition planner, weekly list, crisis journal, upper body & core training plan), 4 reflection tools (Stability Map, future letter, self-assessments, symbol ideas & quotes), 4 gamification elements (motivation mosaic, selfie series, gamification plan, challenge planner), 4 guides (supplement guide, product recommendations, rehab program resources, physio channels), and 2 graphic templates (target circle, mental wall). The highlight is the Stability Map: six dimensions that show you in crisis moments where you stand and what you can do.

The book was written by someone who has personally been through four rehabs – two ACL tears and, among others, a hand rehab. In the early rehabs, he did everything wrong: ignored the mental side, isolated himself, and hoped things would get better on their own. In his last rehab, he built a system that actually worked. 'Dranbleiben' is the result of that experience. It's not a medical guide and doesn't claim clinical authority – it's an honest companion from someone who knows the road.

Yes. The book is available as a paperback, as a hardcover, and as an e-book (Kindle). All versions contain the complete content including QR codes for the bonus material. The e-book works on any device with the Kindle app – smartphone, tablet, laptop, or Kindle reader. Especially handy in the waiting room, during physio breaks, or on the go. Paperback and hardcover are better for highlighting and taking notes – the hardcover is the extra-durable edition for your shelf.

No. Many mental challenges after an ACL tear don't surface until weeks or months after surgery – when the acute phase is over but daily life is still far from normal. Fear of the comeback, impatience, the feeling of stagnation – all of this often hits in the middle third of rehab. The book is modular, so you can jump in at any point. Whether you just came out of surgery or have been in rehab for six months.

The Stability Map is a tool for crisis moments. It consists of six dimensions: Body Anchor, People, Routines & Rituals, Thought Anchor, Places, and Proven Experiences. When you're struggling, it helps you identify which area is shaky – and what you can specifically do about it. Instead of trying to fix everything at once, you focus on the one area that needs the most attention right now. It's available as a download and is explained step by step in the book.