ACL Injury Experiences?

[Anonymous]

My daughter (14) recently tore her ACL during a game. Although she had been doing a lot of outside preventive work (strength, plyos, etc.) it still happened. She had her surgery, quad graft and is recovering now.

Her doctor who is a regional sports specialist believes a 9 month return to competition is very achievable.

I am sure some of the people on this forum have been through this with their kid, we would appreciate any of your experiences on timelines, recovery etc.

[Anonymous]

Yes, similar story with my player too. My advice, stick with a sport specific PT like RAMP in VA, regular PT places tend to be less focused and slower for athletes. Just be patient, the return to full playing level usually takes a couple months after she's cleared. Be there for her through it, that support matters more than people realize. Best of luck to her!

[Anonymous]

If it was only the ACL (no MCL, bone, meniscus, etc), that timeline is reasonable. Select the PT provider carefully, really lean into it, and do not neglect the good leg. She will probably "look" ready way before she is ready so avoid the temptation to rush it. The toughest part for her (kid dependent) will be the mental aspect / reinjury thoughts when she returns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it was only the ACL (no MCL, bone, meniscus, etc), that timeline is reasonable. Select the PT provider carefully, really lean into it, and do not neglect the good leg. She will probably "look" ready way before she is ready so avoid the temptation to rush it. The toughest part for her (kid dependent) will be the mental aspect / reinjury thoughts when she returns.

Yes, luckily there was no other damage. She loves to work out and took her pre-hab pretty seriously so I am hoping that she will be able to get back to that mind-set after the initial trauma from the surgery subsides.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter (14) recently tore her ACL during a game. Although she had been doing a lot of outside preventive work (strength, plyos, etc.) it still happened. She had her surgery, quad graft and is recovering now.

Her doctor who is a regional sports specialist believes a 9 month return to competition is very achievable.

I am sure some of the people on this forum have been through this with their kid, we would appreciate any of your experiences on timelines, recovery etc.

my softball kid had a torn meniscus. it took well over a year before she could return to sports. the main problem was quad atrophy while the leg was immobilized. Took a LOT of PT.

[Anonymous]

whatever you do don't rush her recovery. the absolute worst thing you can do is focus on a timeline.

[Anonymous]

Happened to my soccer/basketball player. Have your kid take your time. Mine was cleared for full contact at 12 months and played two seasons back-to-back. It was a grind for her and she did not feel like herself. But it is really a two-year process to get the knee and the confidence as back to normal as possible. No one wants to hear it, but rushing back can be the biggest risk.

[Anonymous]

Wish your DD all the best. From the girl on our club team that went through that, the timeline you were given seems reasonable. As others have said, PT and the work on their own was very important as was the not rushing back.

Only direct experience is with my sister years ago when she tore her meniscus playing volleyball in a spring league when she was your DD's age. She quit volleyball to focus on basketball. She timeline was pretty similar and due to the timing of things, didn't miss significant in-season basketball time.

Good Luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter (14) recently tore her ACL during a game. Although she had been doing a lot of outside preventive work (strength, plyos, etc.) it still happened. She had her surgery, quad graft and is recovering now.

Her doctor who is a regional sports specialist believes a 9 month return to competition is very achievable.

I am sure some of the people on this forum have been through this with their kid, we would appreciate any of your experiences on timelines, recovery etc.

What area are you in?

[Anonymous]

I know several kids that came back after nine months, and retore the ACL within a year, partially because few coaches really let kids ease back in. I’d be extra cautious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know several kids that came back after nine months, and retore the ACL within a year, partially because few coaches really let kids ease back in. I’d be extra cautious.

That's part of it, but you also just a much higher risk for a second tear after a previous one.

[Anonymous]

Well, I had a hamstring graft repair after tearing my ACL when I was 15 in 1997 (when obviously the technology and rehab was less advanced than now!). I had the surgery in late August, and was playing touch football at Thanksgiving (with my parents screaming at me not to). If she does the rehab and responds well, don't see why a return isn't possible in 9 months. I did wait til next summer training to formally restart soccer, so I guess a year? But obviously listen to the body. FWIW, I never needed a brace and had a full athletic and adult work out career (haha) with no pain or issues.

[Anonymous]

Random question, but was she on her period when this happened? There’s a correlation out there and just curious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Random question, but was she on her period when this happened? There’s a correlation out there and just curious.

Not random from what I have since learned about it. Her doctor asked the same question. She says she was due to start it in a day or two, so just before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wish your DD all the best. From the girl on our club team that went through that, the timeline you were given seems reasonable. As others have said, PT and the work on their own was very important as was the not rushing back.

Only direct experience is with my sister years ago when she tore her meniscus playing volleyball in a spring league when she was your DD's age. She quit volleyball to focus on basketball. She timeline was pretty similar and due to the timing of things, didn't miss significant in-season basketball time.

Good Luck!

Thank you. Was the girl on your daughter's team slower or just rusty when she came back?