Completely Torn ACL at 16

by Nabil Hazazi
(Malaysia)

Hey everyone,

I have completely torn my ACL about a month ago while I was playing soccer. I was really upset to hear about the news as I won't be able to be as active in sports as I was before. I am really keen in sports and I started playing soccer since I was about 5. Now I'm undergoing sessions of physiotherapy and currently wearing a knee brace. I was told by my orthopedist that I should wait till my growth plate is fused which is about 4-5 years from now to undergo the reconstruction surgery. I had been researching about the pros and cons of delaying the surgery. It says that if I wait a few years later my knee will bear the risks because of the instability my knee will go through the years but then again if I were to do it now, it will disturb my growth. So, I'm here because I wanted to know what should I set my mind to so that I won't think too much about this for now. I hope you all can help me. Thanks.

Comments for
Completely Torn ACL at 16

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Dec 09, 2011
Rating

I know what it's like!
by: Colette

Hi, I'm 16 too! And unfortunately, I'm about to undergo my third ACL surgery. I tore it first when I was 12, and I waited two years until I got my surgery. And I highly recommend to get it early! Because i had a really tough time rehabilitating it. I think there is a way that they can do surgery without drilling through your growth plates, but I'm not sure! Anyways, Goodluck with everything! I hope you and your knee are doing well ;)

Sep 13, 2011
Rating

my ACL
by: josh

hey. I was 15 when i tore my ACL. the surgeon had assumed that my growth plates had fused together but he was wrong and rufused to operate on the day that my surgery was due! so i had an arthroscopy which helped a bit but my actual reconstruction was delayed for 6 months.

May 21, 2011
Rating

torn at 17
by: Brittany

Hi. I tore my acl when I was 17, during a soccer game, I played goalie. My surgeon never mentioned anything about the growth plates. I would think you would be ok. Hopefully things go well for you. I would try looking for a different orthopedic doctor and get their opinion on it.

May 12, 2011
Rating

thanks
by: Nabil Hazazi

Hey thanks karlina, telling about your friend ben really gave me hope. So maybe i might get the chance to do the surgery earlier, yeayy. I'm going to see a very good doctor whom people said that he was an expert about the knee this monday, wish me luck ! And I hope your knee will be okay, thanks again :)

May 02, 2011
Rating

Hope this helps
by: Karlina

my friend ben, 15 years old just had his acl surgery today! He was still growing to, the doctors were a little worried. But they were careful during surgery and didn't touch the growth plate. 4-5 years would be a long time away from soccer. If you get a good surgeon im sure nothing will go wrong with ur growing! GOOD luck!

I tore my acl a month ago and i'm having surgery monday.. I'm done growing already at 5 2 haha so i dont have to worry about growth plates.

Apr 13, 2011
Rating

Thanks :)
by: Anonymous

Hey thanks guys, I didn't know that there were people about my age who underwent the surgery and still no problems came up.

Apr 05, 2011
Rating

Don't worry about hindering your growth
by: Anonymous

I am 15 and recently had an ACL reconstruction. I personally chose the to undergo the hamstring graft method, I have seen X-rays etc. etc. and was assured that my growth plates remain intact. It really helped seeing a picture. Good luck!

Apr 05, 2011
Rating

Options
by: Jael

Hey,

I am 15 and I completely tore my acl this past sep. during soccer.
I had surgery in october.
so your growth plates are still open?
Even if your growth plates are still open I know there is a special surgery where it won't affect your plates. I know someone who just had that surgery and he is doing good so far.

Even if you can't have surgery, and have to wait... Just think about when you can play!

I hope this helps!

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to ACL Surgery Stories