Welcome Letter to an fellow ACL Patient:

I wrote this in October 2009 for a golfer friend who tore his ACL. It was supposed to encourage him and cheer him up.  I’m reposting this to remind me to stay positive, and remember that I’ve done it before and I’ll just have to do it again.

Dear Miko,
First of all, welcome to the elite group of athletes known as the ACL club. We all have the scars to prove that we are members of this exclusive society. ☺ smile. You are not alone. A lot of athletes, including Tiger Woods, have recovered successfully from this injury. I also know of some athletes who tear both ACLs and manage to make their way back into fighting form.

Next, I’ll be honest with you. When I tore my ACL, the months that followed were the darkest, saddest, most depressing times of my life. Prior to the injury, my life was
pretty free from personal tragedy. So to distract you from your pain, let me share mine.

Like you, I started in my sport really young. In grade 6, I competed in tournaments. In my freshman and junior years of highschool I traveled to Europe to play football. I spent my last summer before entering college training twice a day 6 days a week and made it to the national team. Football defined me, it dictated who I was. I went to UP with no intention of playing, but ended up joining the team anyway. My rookie year in UP was pretty good. We reached the championships against DLSU but lost in penalties. I didn’t convert my penalty kick, so I felt responsible.

The next year, we were in the running for the top two spots in the UAAP when I got injured. I still remember the girl I collided with, how I was carried off the field and how it felt as if something was really wrong. Prior to this injury, I’ve fractured a collarbone and sprained a toe, but that’s all.

The PT that checked on me couldn’t say what was wrong. I couldn’t walk by myself, or stand on both legs. My family took me to Asian for an X-ray but that didn’t show anything. I saw a sports doctor the next day and he ordered an MRI. I’m not sure if you had one too, but that machine makes me so claustrophobic. I wish that I wore earplugs too. Anyway, when I got my results it showed that I had a complete ACL tear and a grade II MCL sprain.

It didn’t hit me so much at first. I called my teammates and texted my coaches. They seemed bummed. I saw Dr. Canlas and scheduled my surgery. One thing that really helped me was the fact that I’ve sort of gone through the injury, when an exboyfriend of mine tore his.

Okay, here’s one tip. The first night after your surgery will be the worst night of your life. Unless they do it differently in the States. After you get through the first night, the pain will subside and you can give yourself a pat on the back for surviving. Make sure someone sleeps with you in the room for the first night because you’ll need help going to the bathroom… or since you’re a guy, pee in a bottle na lang or something. Haha.. Seriously, I fainted during my bathroom run in the middle of the night. I was lucky someone was there to carry me back to bed.

Try to relax after surgery because a few days after surgery you’ll start character building… I mean therapy. ACL rehab isn’t the most fun activity in the world, but it sure builds character. This whole experience is one big test that I’m sure you’ll ace.

I spent a total of 9 months in rehab. I could’ve been done in 6, but I took breaks in between and was pasaway.

Anyway. Here’s a list of things you can’t do after the surgery.

1. Participation in any kind of sports.
2. Kicking
3. Swimming
4. Pivoting on the affected knee
5. Twisting of the affected knee
6. Flexing and extending the knee vigorously
7. Locking the knee
8. Alcohol intake. (I didn’t follow this. Which is probably why I took so long in rehab)

Here are things that you have to be cleared by your doctor or PT.

1. Running
2. Jumping
3. Jogging
4. Hopping
5. Shooting on the basketball court
6. Sitting “de-quatro”
7. Placing a pillow under the knee when sleeping
8. Physiologic knee extensions at the last 15 degrees
9. Kneeling on affected knee
10. Supporting the knee on the proximal part of the lower leg
11. Using liniments or heat
12. Ascending and descending stairs alternately
13. Using the stationary bike.

I know it’s a lot of limitations, but trust me it’s for the best.

Try your best to have fun in therapy. Bring a book/ DS/PSP for the times you have to ice your knee. Buy those reusable gel ice packs. Write about your everyday progress. Know that you will have bad days in therapy, and when they happen, watch a movie, let that day go, and look forward to the next one. Your recovery period will feel like forever while you’re still going through it, but once you finish it will seem like it flew by fast.

Take this break from golf as a sign from God to try new things. Discover your other skills and talents and become more well rounded. Don’t wallow in your misery. I’ve done that and it’s not fun.