ACL tear

[thelittleone]

I am a high school student and i run track. I love the sport and have a ton of fun with it, the problem is that during soccer season this past fall, i tore my ACL and need surgery now. I ran a 6.8 50yd and a 7.9 55m before the injury last winter in indoor track, and i know they aren't fabulous times, but i was proud of them. :cry: is there any chance that i'll be able to still make those times next winter after the surgery, supposing i have surgery this january?

[mal]

Are you asking if you can have surgery in January, then race two months later?

I am not sure that your rehabilitation would be complete. I am sur a dr will chip in on this forum. I have had a number of surgeries in my career, and forced myself into action, more to satisfy the coach, and my desire to race. It was a short term strategy.
If my son asked that question I would ensure he took on a great surgeon, a great rehab program, and let him come back to racing gradually. Allow the body to properly heal.
That way you'll come back even stronger the next year. Come back too early and your entire career could be cactus.

Good luck. Its a lot of work. But worth it.

[jumpmon]

Re: ACL tear

I am a high school student and i run track. I love the sport and have a ton of fun with it, the problem is that during soccer season this past fall, i tore my ACL and need surgery now. I ran a 6.8 50yd and a 7.9 55m before the injury last winter in indoor track, and i know they aren't fabulous times, but i was proud of them. :cry: is there any chance that i'll be able to still make those times next winter after the surgery, supposing i have surgery this january?

Are you talking the winter of 2005/2006 or 2006/2007. I doubt you will make winter 05/06, winter 06/07 is definitely possible, even late spring 06 outdoor may be possible depending on your rehab. You may find out with proper rehab that you are even stronger and faster after the surgery. It really is up to you how much effort and dedication you put into it to come back from the injury. In any event, good luck with the surgeery and the rehab.

[Kevin Richardson]

AS the other posters have mentioned, therapy/rehab is key to how well you come back. The actual surgery is relatively simple, and should leave little scarring in the knee. To ensure that this holds for you, it is necessary that you follow your therapists instructions and DO NOT skip out on doing the bending and stretching therapy at home. This is important to regain your complete range of motion. A limited range of motion following the surgery will make you vulnerable to other injuries down the road.

For inspiration, look to NFL running back Willis McGahee. He tore a lot more than his ACL and has managed to return at about the same level he was when he was injured.

Lastly, the previous poster was correct in cautioning you to not rush back into things. Your injured leg will be weaker than the other, possibly. In any event, you will want to make sure that you have complete stability in the knee.

Best of Luck, my friend.

[TrackCEO]

Hang in there, little one

Yo, Little

Keep your eyes on the prize -- which is knee stability over the long-term, and I mean long. I'm 51, have torn ACLs in BOTH knees (1984 right and 2002 left) and haven't required reconstructive surgery. Yet I'm able to sprint all-out with no pain. (I just have to take care when high jumping.)

Key is being RELIGIOUS about your rehab -- doing EXACTLY what doc sez, on the schedule he/she recommends.

Your 2006 season may be compromised by rehab, but if you love track, you'll be back all the stronger in 2007. A zillion people have had ACLs repaired and come back to full strength.

Best of luck, champ.

K E N

[SQUACKEE]

when i was 10 years old (1963) i was wrestling with a friend twice my size. for fun mind you. my mom said ,"scott your gonna get hurt" which i replied " aw mom". secounds later his weight clamp down on my knee and pushed it past its normal range of motion, tearing the ligament on the inside of my right knee ( i should know the name ?!) in half! it was the worse pain i have ever felt . even worse than breaking up with my first girlfriend 11 years later.
anyway dos docs sewed me up in 1963 and i havent had a problem with the knee at all while running consistently ( sometimes 100 miles a week) in 42 years. i think your gonna be just fine. just take it easy and watch out for those girls :!:

[Kevin Richardson]

Medial Collateral Ligament, Squackee. Everything I have learned about knee physiology has come directly from injury. ops:

[SQUACKEE]

thanx kevin! sorry you had to learn the hard way

[bambam]

"The actual surgery is relatively simple, and should leave little scarring in the knee."

Did you ever do that surgery, Kevin? I would not call it simple. It is done a lot now and the guys who do it a lot can do it well, but it is far from simple surgery.

[schigh]

MCL injury is a lot easier to come back from than ACL. Find a doc who does a lot of these and as others have said, pay attention at rehab, and be patient. Coming back in this day and age is certainly very doable, the surgeons are a lot better at this then they were 15 or 20 years ago.

[go pre]

i have a girl on my track team (400/800 runner) who tore her acl playing basketball in early august. she missed the cross country season and is sitting out of basketball. she and her doctor claim she will be ready for the track season starting in march. i hope she recovers fully, but i have my doubts because she is a talent freak who doesn't like to work hard. i hope she decides to put some effort into her rehab.

[Kevin Richardson]

OK, bambam, I see your perspective. How difficult can it be when they allowed me to sleep through the whole thing? :lol:

I am sure I understated the complexity of the job. I should have said that it was rather common and generally carries a good prognosis. I have seen a number of younger folks come through with great success. I apologize for diminishing this surgery in any way.

[thelittleone]

The surgery would be this janurary 06, and i'd be running track again maybe in winter 06-07, i'm just worried about how the times will be then. Since I'm injured now should i still be contacting college coaches to play for their teams next year? :? Thanks for all of the support it means a lot!

hayley

[Kevin Richardson]

Sure, continue to stay in contact with any coaches you have been in touch with, so far. Be honest with them about the injury. Most likely, they will want to see you perform after the surgery, so you may be looking at the second year before you are offered a scholarship or a full position on the team. Do not let this influence you to come back too soon!

Again, best of luck to you.