How I Tore My ACL
Same knee torn twice in 1 year
I have been playing volleyball competitively for my entire 27 years. Well one Saturday while playing in a volleyball tournament my team made it to the championship match. During the game I went up for a block and came down right on my setters foot. Heard a pop, tried to walk and had no stability at all.
I had surgery, and worked my butt of at rehab trying to be back playing again asap. After I got the okay from my doctor and my Therapist I started, and one day playing some pickup ball in the grass I slipped when i pushed off and felt that same familiar pop....I had done it again.
What Happened?
The first time I had swelling right away....no stability, flexibility, and pain. The second time I had little to no pain and full movement...the only difference was that I had a grinding feeling/sound when I would extend my knee the entire way. Since it was very different the 2 times I was hoping for good news with my doctor, but I received the bad news a few days later that it was partially torn and I would be needing surgery again.
I was devastated....it was hard enough going through one surgery, let alone having to go though it again and take more time and money.
Lessons Learned
- Do not rush rehab....I had a date that I wanted to be playing by after the first one, I did play and it turned out terrible for me.
- Just take your time healing and really build that muscle back before returning.
- In my case the first injury was an accident....if I would change anything I would have waited a bit longer to try to come back and play. I am still currently rehabing after my second surgery and not rushing to play. I do work out 3-5 times a week, just no lateral sports for me for awhile.
