A Really Important Step AFTER Returning From ACL Injury

An ACL injury can be one of the most devastating injuries for an athlete. The physical and emotional pain is real. Your brain runs wild with questions. Is this much pain normal? Will I be able to play again? How long does this take? On and on the questions go.

Once you start wearing that post op knee brace, you start seeing the same brace everywhere and people recognize that brace too. They have questions for you: "Did you tear your ACL? What happened?" On and on those questions go, too. You're probably polite and answer them in as little words as possible. Then they go on to tell you their experience or their friends experience or their dog's babysitter's experience and how awful it was. The lack of positivity is truly astounding. Sound like a familiar sequence of events?

I cannot overstate the importance of seeking out positive stories, surrounding yourself with a positive support group, and generally staying positive throughout your own experiences after you've had an injury. This can have a profound effect on your ACL rehab journey. Now that you're back to working out, running and playing sports, it's important to share that story. Share the positivity. Give back.

I'm sure you remember how your physical therapist helped you through the process and answered all your questions, but I'm sure you didn't always believe what you heard. Think, how nice would it have been to have that support when you were in the early stages, painful and feeling like you might never get back to being yourself? How about that part where you couldn't quite master that drop jump or cut? What if someone who had been in your shoes and successfully recovered was around for you to bounce ideas off of, share frustrations with, or just generally chat with?

"You can be that positive influence on someone else - and

that's a powerful feeling."

I get it, in the last stages of your ACL journey, you are working towards getting back to being "you." You're working back into your routine of practices and lifts and gaining a sense of normalcy with your team again. Your focus is on you and rightfully so, you're trying to be the best version of yourself after this injury. Try to spend a little time offering some advice to someone who looks like they might need it. My guess is that you might be in for a PT appointment or a strength and conditioning session and see a patient who is early on in the process. Keep in mind you were there once and maybe would have appreciated a word of encouragement or two.

Have you mentored anyone after recovering from your injury? If you have, how was the experience for you? If not, do you think it would've been beneficial to have had the opportunity?

I'm honestly interested in your feedback here, so let me know what you think via email or Twitter!

Brett