Bet you haven't heard this story....

by Lisa
(Manhattan Beach)

My first day at the beach last June. I was in the water for 5 minutes, with my boogeyboard. I rode like two waves onto the shore. As I was heading back out, I looked over my shoulder to see if my friends were coming. I felt a pain like nothing I have ever experienced. A wave hit me at about knee height, and I knew immediately my leg was broken. I didn't hear a snap or pop, but it definitely felt like it was wobbling, it was very strange. It didn't even knock me over, but I soon fell.

I remember being picked up and carried to my towel. I went to emergency, and the xray said it wasn't broken. I figured in a weeks time I would be back at the beach. A MRI ten days later showed a severed ACL, partially torn MCL, and the meniscus was messed up too. I had to wait 14 weeks before surgery, because I could not straighten out my leg properly. I wore a leg brace during day to get to work, and at night I had to wear a dynasplint, to get the leg ready.

Oct 4 I had the ACL replacement, using an Achillies tendon cadaver. I am now 5 weeks post op, and one week out of the brace. My knee is popping a bit at the knee cap, but I'm told that should go away.

I hope so. This has been awful.