Mollie's ACL Story

by Mollie
(Ohio)

I was one of two sophomores on the varsity basketball team when i tore my acl in a playoff game. I had the patella tendon surgery and am now 6 weeks out of surgery...rehab seems to be progressing well except i cant get my knee straight. i work on it 5 times every day but the knee wont get straight...im so nervous that i wont make it back to as good as i was before and mostly that i wont be able to jump anymore. I was the best jumper on my team and could touch the backboard, which is impressive for a female high school athlete.

I do everything they say but i just seem to be stuck where i am...i want to return to playing basketball and hopefully continue on to sports in college but i am afraid i will never be able to jump or be as fast as i was...i could just be paranoid but i just want to make sure i am able to make it back...i guess only time will tell...

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Mollie's ACL Story

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May 13, 2009
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No Worry
by: Michelle

Mollie,

Don't worry I had the same issue. I am 4 months and I'm fine now. I had a friend push on my knee while i had my heel propped up on my coffee table. Slight pressure 20x twice a day. You can also lay flat on your back with your leg propped up on their shoulder while they are kneeling in front of you, they place their hands above the knee on your quad and pull downward.

May 15, 2009
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how are you doing now?
by: Anonymous

How are you doing now? It will be 5 weeks for me on monday, and i had the hamstring graft. one of my friends had the same problem, and she is now over 3 months out and is fine! Good luck to your recovery! I know how you are feeling. I tore mine at the end of my freshman season, also playing varsity bball, and could touch the backboard! Good luck!!!!

May 18, 2009
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Update
by: Anonymous

As of now it has been 7 weeks and my flexion is at 131 degrees! that is amazing but i seem to be stuck at the 2 degrees extension...today i started lifting weights in our schools weight room and actually pleasantly suprised myself on how strong i was...maybe one day ill play bball again

May 18, 2009
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re:
by: Anonymous

that sounds great. it is 5 weeks for me. I can bend it to 127 on my own, and 130 with help. which they said is great, and i also suprised myself. U can read my story about how i hurt myself under 14 yearold's ACL injury & reconstruction surgery i think. So are u still wearing a knee brace? it sounds like you are doing great! and i know you will be back to full recovery playing basketball. i know it is hard because i am dealnig with the same thing now but i know lots of people who have had it and our back 100%. Right now, i just really want to run and be normal, and i'm sure that is how you feel! Good luck!!!

May 31, 2009
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you will be better!
by: Anonymous

Hey Molly,

I also play college basketball. I tore my acl in my very first college game as a rookie in the home opener. It was devastating. But I had my surgery and now I am 6 months post op. I had the same worries as you..the reason why I was good was because i was fast. I was afraid I would never reach that point again. But now that I have started playing again I can tell that I am going to be better than ever. You will notice that all of the rehab will have made your legs soo much stronger and you will ultimately be stronger and faster! Stay positive. You will play better than ever soon enough.