Undoubtedly one of the worst sports injuries that someone can have is a torn ACL. The ACL is the stabilize of the knee. It runs up and down in the front middle of the knee.
Years ago, this injury was career ending. However, surgical advancements have led to a remarkable 98% return to sports. While many are not 100% afterwards, they do get back to the point where they can play. Such a recovery rate is not without its price. The price is a long and grueling recovery period. Those who have gone through it claim it is the most difficult thing they have done. HOWEVER, with proper therapy and rehab, the knee can become functionally sound and athlete can return to playing. So if you were injured, be prepared for a long recovery, but remain confident that you will make it back.
ACL injuries most commonly happen to football or basketball players who are hit from the side of the knee. The injury is also too common in skiers and soccer players who make abrupt cuts. Perhaps the most famous in Western New York is the Bob Lanier injury when St. Bonaventure was in the Final Four in 1971. In April of 2000 my brother Pat tore his ACL. I put these links together for him, but thought that they might be of interest to others as well so posted them. The very large number of hits suggested that there was a great deal of interest so I left it up. However, from Danny Manning to Willis McGahee to Shaun Bryson to Lee Evans to my brother Pat, one need not look far to see someone who has had the injury and has come back.
Sad to hear about GSP. I had the ACL procedure in the late 90's.
The worst part is just getting over the mind thing. First you get the news from the Dr. and then your sub-conscious goes into the self-pity. You feel like an invalid, a cripple for life. For non pro-athletes, it takes a good 16 months to physically recover. Your legs are strong again, your knee is stable, but “different”. However you sub-conscious keeps you cautious, and not truly 100%. I'm in my late 40s. I really do miss playground hoops and running long distances. The knee stays sore for 3-5 days after.
Few things i found a bit concerning about you post
1. ACL is not one of the worst sports injury, it's not even one of the worst ones in the knee. If GSP tore his PCL (which is another cruciate ligament that stabilizes the knee in a similar manner as the ACL) i would be far more worried about his return to the octagon.
2. try not to get the best source of info from the "finance professor" on medical issues
my senior year of wrestling in high school our 171 pounder (who was ranked top 5 in the state) tore his acl early in the season. the doctor told him he was going to need surgery and would defenitaly not be able to participate in any sport. He basically just said fuck it because it was his senior season and wrestled the rest of the season with a torn acl in a huge leg brace.
He'll have the best of everything which is a huge plus in regaining his 'rushness'. GSP will be back and he'll have something to prove, his comeback opponent will likely be in for a tough night.
DMSO - Few things i found a bit concerning about you post
1. ACL is not one of the worst sports injury, it's not even one of the worst ones in the knee. If GSP tore his PCL (which is another cruciate ligament that stabilizes the knee in a similar manner as the ACL) i would be far more worried about his return to the octagon.
2. try not to get the best source of info from the "finance professor" on medical issues
He'll be back, and will be fine
this.
if its even hurt at all, its minor. i hope more dopey fux are not gonna be suckered into buying another sub-par ppv as a result of another classic bait and switch
Tearing your achilles tendon is much worst. You never make a 100% full recovery from that. You lose something no matter how well you rehab. People have come back from a torn ACL better than ever numerous times.
