ACL Recovery Time for a Volleyball Player

(Dallas, TX)

My daughter (senior in high school) just tore her ACL in a summer volleyball game...Also, the MCL and the meniscus was damaged, the big three...

She has surgery scheduled for July 1st...While she is not the star of the team (she was first team all-district/all-area as a junior), she has been on the varsity since her freshman year and was just named captain on a team with 9 seniors (out of 11 players)...

The doctor says the earliest he has released a volleyball player is 5 months, that would take her out of the season, even out of the playoffs (which they will certainly make)...

He you ever had heard of a volleyball player coming back in 3-4 months?...

Golf is her best sport and will be the sport she plays in college so she will never play competitive volleyball again...She likes volleyball but she loves her team and would do anything to help them in the playoffs (starts the first week of November)...Possible?...

Thank you for any help/comments...

Comments for
ACL Recovery Time for a Volleyball Player

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Jun 22, 2008
Rating

Probably too soon...
by: Bart - SII

While you will read about professional athletes who return to sports at 3-4 months, it just isn't a good idea. When you look at the tissue healing status at that time, as well as the possiblity for reinjury, it doesn't make sense to jepordize the long term health of the knee.

Returning to sports at 5 months is probably ok, if the person has great muscle function and strength. Most of my patients return no earlier than 6 months, and even then, they will tell you that it takes another 1-2 months before they really feel like their knee is normal.

If her primary sport is golf, and that is what will take her through college, I would make that the primary goal for after surgery - to get back to golf. With that said, she can still be involved with the volleyball team. I would talk to the coach and make sure that she has a place, as the captain, to provide support and be a part of the team. I know that isn't the same as contributing on the field, but being on the sidelines and being part of the team in that way is better than nothing.

I wish I could tell you it was possible, but 3-4 months is just too early.

Comment back with other questions.