Flight Attendant Tears ACL at Work...

by Stephanie Z.
(Scottsdale, AZ)

Hi All!
Your stories have been inspiring. I too, wish I could have found this website earlier.

March 25, 2008, I tore my ACL in my left knee when my foot slipped on a loose wire cover, on the floor of the airplane. My left knee completely dislocated and I heard the pop everyone talks about. This happened on the 2nd day of a 3 day trip, and because I am a professional and am taught to work through the pain, I finished my trip.

Started PT before surgery. Had an allograft reconstruction May 22, 2008; so I'm about 5 months post-op.

My PTs say I'm doing well, I'm just frustrated. I'm not working, so I'm bored. I go to PT 3 times a week. Even though my Dr. says I can work with limited restriction, while wearing my knee brace, I am not allowed to. I can't have any restrictions to work as a flight attendant, and can't wear a knee brace at work. As you know, we are on our feet 12-14 hours a day.

I'm nervous about going back to work because, well, I've been out so long, and I'm worried if I go back too soon (I was thinking about convincing the Dr. next month to let me, even though I won't be 6 months post-op) I will get injured again. I've been told not to go back too soon. But since mine is a worker's compensation injury it's probably completely different from a lot of posts here.

My swelling isn't as bad, my main problem is fatigue, which makes my knee buckle from the weakness, I guess. When I'm tired, I can really feel it. Also, this is the only surgery I've ever had and I'm 40 years old!

I have to give props to my Physical Therapist's and Trainer's, they've been awesome to me and make me feel better about myself.