Anne's ACL crazyness!

(Michigan)

My name's Anne and I was 17 years-old and a senior in high school when I went down! Sooo I tore my ACL on Friday, February 13th, 2009. Yup, "friday the 13th"...pretty unlucky!

I was playing in a Varsity basketball game and it was 3 minutes into the first quarter. I stole a pass and was going down for a break away layup. I thought I was all alone until I looked over my shoulder and a girl 6 inches taller then me was coming. That's when I sort of hesitated and when up for my layup awkwardly. Well, she blocked my shot and when I came down, I landed with my right leg straight and then it felt like I broke my knee! I layed on the ground for a second in shock, and then I screamed. It was "parent's night" so the gym was packed, but as soon as I started screaming, it went dead silent. My teamate said that when she heard me screaming she thought it was a baby in the crowd. Anyways, my season was over at that point, and we still had 4 games plus districts to play in. I was obviously on the sidelines for those games.

I had patella graft surgery on March 3rd. I had that leg mover machiene and got my range of motion back very fast. I started physical therapy a week after surgery- going 3 days a week. I started running around a track 9 weeks post-opp and jumping soon after. Now I am 12 weeks post-opp today and I can run, jump, and shoot hoops pretty well. I most definitely won't play in a game for a little while longer.

I just saw my doctor and he said he'll clear me to play August 1st! I'm playing college basketball and our season starts mid-october so I'm doing pretty well on time. The first 6 weeks after surgery are pretty brutal, but you know, it goes by fast. You're busy with physical therapy (which are 2 hour sessions 3 days a week) so you don't have that much time to feel sorry for yourself. The biggest thing once you're 12 weeks is to get confident again in your knee. Being able to trust it and feel comfortable is huge.

When I shoot around and run I don't wear a knee brace and my doctor says he doesn't want me to wear one once I start playing again. All it does is remind you of what happened, and that's not going to help you get over it!

Anyways, my life drastically changed after tearing my ACL, but you know, it was kind of a good thing. I went from playing basketball everyday, all year round, to sitting out and taking it easy. I think it was not only a good physical break, but mental too. You don't realize how much stress and pressure you're under until it's taken away. I can't wait to get back to playing, though. I have a whole different perspective on things and I appreciate life way more. I'm lucky I get to play basketball, blessed really.

So if you're going through the same thing, if you go into it with determination and passion to get back to your sport, you will be totally fine :) This whole thing will only make you a stronger person, it did for me!

GOOD LUCK!!!