Ash's valentine's day ACL heartbreak

by Aswady
(Singapore)

Hey there,I'm ash,21 years old and from Singapore.I'm currently recuperating from meniscus arthroscopy.But I had my acl recon done in 2009.I was in college and I was the captain and soccer superstar of my college.I was also in the national age group squad for my country.It was 14th February 2009,a Saturday,we had a pre season friendly.I actually didn't Want to play as I had important Cup final for my club side the next day.but my coach insisted that I should play.So I came on in the second half, and as I was dribbling,I did a couple of stepovers,and at one instant my right leg was slightly off the ground.Instead of tackling me,the defender kicked my right leg while It was still in the air.I felt my knee give way and I was stretchered off.after icing I managed to walk convincing myself I could still play a part in tmr's final.as it was vday,I went out with my gf and I was badly limping.the next day I started the match.as I ran just 5m,my knee completely buckled and gave way.I couldn't carry on.I managed to get up and walk but my knee felt really sore.so I booked an appt with a surgeon and went for a MRI.my worst fears were confirmed.I had completely ruptured my acl and I had knee contusion.I couldn't accept it.I couldn't just sit out the college tournament.my Sch was dependent on me.I even asked my doctor if i could tape my knee and play.he said go-ahead if u wanna damage other parts of my knee.sadly I broke the news to my coach.be was devastated.I booked my surgery for the 1st of June 2009.and not surprisingly my college got knocked out from the group stage itself.I felt partly responsible and felt I had let my sch down.worse my knee was giving me terrible pain.sudden movements and my knee gets locked.I knew acl rehab was a long and painful process.as such I decided I didn want to burden my gf and I asked for a mutual breakup.she didn't want it and I had to be a jerk and break her heart and say I lost feelings etc.I didn't want to be selfish and be a burden to her.she deserved better than that.and so I went for the surgery.when I woke up after surgery it was the worst pain I ever felt.I initially regretted doing the surgery.the next day I was back home.everything was a chore.I pushed myself to the limit and within 2 days I discarded my crutches.my PT said I was making amazing progress and so she gave me a accelerated rehab programme.initially I had scar tissue pain but after PT it went away.and I did my first biodex test.the difference btw my quads was less than 10% which was considered very good.and soon within 7mths I was deemed fit to go back to sports.and so I went back to soccer.within minutes disaster struck.it felt like dejavu.the defender Kicked my leg and my knee locked up.I was so afraid I had done my acl again.I went for a MRI.they said I had a small meniscus tear.my doctor said PT might be enough.so i starter PT.whenevr I tried to twist and turn my knee would lock up.but if I straightened my leg it will unlock itself.an so I kept going for PT for almost 1year and it still was the same.So I decided to do a arthroscopy.I did it last tues(8th feb) and am now recuperating.my advice would be to be completely committed to ur rehab if u wanna make a full and rapid recovery.the hardest and most important thing Is to strengthen ur quads.as for me Im not going back to sports until my quads are extremely strong and I feel my knee is as good as new.the first 2 weeks after acl surgery are the hardest.but it's the most cruial period too.you need to do all the exercises ur PT tells u to.and keep icing and elevating ur leg.try to avoid putting weight on that leg and be always cautious not to slip.if you put your heart and mind to it,overcoming a acl recon is not a problem at all.just be patient.if any of you need any advice or wanna ask me any questions feel free to email me at storyaboutaguy@yahoo.com.sg cheers xx