Note: A torn anterior cruciate ligament is an athlete's worst nightmare. Here are two stories on how ACLs have affected Bluffton University athletes.
Photo and story by Derek Woods, Icon student intern
A.C.L.! The last three letters you don't want to hear if you are an athlete of any kind. Those are the letters Mike Johnson heard this summer. During a practice in summer camp for the Bluffton University football team, Johnson tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This experience would change his life.
"I was grabbing one of my teammates and tried to twist him to the ground; that's when I heard it pop. It sucks because we weren't even supposed to be tackling, but I just like to play hard," Johnson said.
The ACL is one of four major ligaments in the knee. It is also crucial for knee stability. ACL tears are becoming more frequent every year in various sports. Not just collegiate or high school athletes, but professional as well. Donnie Avery, a wide receiver for the St. Louis Rams tore his ACL in a pre-season game. This injury ended Avery's season before it even got started.
"After tearing my ACL, it feels as if my knee just gives out," Johnson said. Johnson, a sophomore, went from being a key part of the Beavers linebacker core, to having his season cut short by injury. "I put in so much effort into being great this season and it all went down the drain."
"Last season I severely sprained my ankle, and missed almost the entire season. It's frustrating not being able to get on the field," Johnson said. Most patients who tear their ACL choose to have surgery. This is something that Johnson had never done. "I was nervous about the surgery, but more nervous about waking up from it." Johnson said. The procedure took around two hours and went according to plans.
"It wasn't as bad as I thought; there was no pain because my leg was numb down to my toes," Johnson said.
The surgery process repaired his ACL, but Johnson's troubles are far from over. Rehabilitation to strengthen the knee is necessary to avoid further problems. "Without proper treatment and rehab, my knee may not heal properly," Johnson said.
Rehabilitation for Johnson includes working with the athletic trainers at Bluffton, as well as at a rehabilitation center in Lima. Johnson works to recover his knee up to four days a week. There is a lot of pain that goes along with this injury as well. "It hurts all the time, but it's something I have to deal with," Johnson said.
"Recovering my knee is not something that will happen in a couple of weeks, or even a couple months. It is a long process that involves patience," Johnson said. An ACL recovery requires commitment, patience, and hard work. These attributes are ones that Johnson says he definitely has.
"I am committed to working my way not only to a healthy knee, but to getting back on that field," Johnson said.
Photo and story by Kirstie Runion, Icon student intern
Knee injuries are frequent in women's sports - and at Bluffton University it is no exception. Eight girls on the women's basketball team have had knee surgeries. Two of these eight players had recent injuries and rehabbed together this summer.
On Dec 2, 2009, Brittany Lewis went down during the varsity game at Bluffton. She felt a shift in her knee. She said it felt like it was on fire. Once she learned it was her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) that was torn, she was devastated. This injury takes surgery and around six months of recovery.
"I never thought it would happen to me-not in a million years," she said.
Basketball was the main reason she came to Bluffton. She had played her whole life with no serious injuries before.
She said, "I had little sharp pains before but never thought anything of it."
Although this was Lewis' first injury, that was not the case for Lauren Hutton. Hutton practiced for three weeks then, on Nov. 1, for the second time in her basketball career, felt the pain of an ACL tear again.
"I tore my right knee when I was stopped and but this time, the left knee, was when I was jumping. I knew right when it happened I had done it again," Hutton said.
The second time around there was no tears or shock, just the dread of rehabilitation.
Even though their injuries occurred a month apart, their surgeries only were completed just one week apart. Soon they were in the weight room every other day together, working to return to the sport.
Lewis said, "I felt like it was never going to work again."
With Hutton's experience, she helped Lewis get through the physical pain while Lewis assisted Hutton mentally. Through sitting on the sidelines for hours a day then rehabbing for hours at night, the two became very close.
"Time passed so much faster; it wasn't a time I dreaded anymore. It turned into a part of my day where we could just hang out," said Lewis.
The two are joined on the court again, conditioning three times a week now. They are working through the pain and soreness and preventing any future injuries.
"I want to step up and take care of business this year," said Hutton.
"We want to be a team, no separation. New knees, fresh start," said Lewis.
Open the attachment at the bottom of this story to view a photo of Lewis and Hutton.
