Prognosis for players with torn ACL's???

Coach,

Thanks for the input. Let me provide a little more info. Zach tore his ACL last Feb, then had reconstructive surgery in May. They grafted the hamstring, because of the growth plates, as you mention. I won't go into all the details, but a few weeks later, they discovered the graft failed--was torn. He rehabed through August, when he had a "revision" (another graft, this time, the patellar). That went extremely well, and he's been going to pt three times a week, plus two nights at the gym, ever since. next month, it will have been six months since the surgery, and the doc is letting him play baseball this season. What I'm concerned about is football next fall--he's concerned that he won't ever be up to par again--do you have experience with some kids who have had the reconstruction? If so, how do they fare? Thanks, Steve K.

Coach,

Your counsel, believe me, is very, very much appreciated. Best, Steve K.

Coacb A,

You have my sincerest thanks--that's precisely what I wanted to hear! Zach tore his ACL a year ago next month. He had reconstruction using the hamstring last May. The graft failed, a fact they discovered via a second "exploratory surgery" to see why the incision was still draining. At the point, we moved on for a second opinion. We found Don McGuniess who does a couple hundred of these a year. He's the orthopedist for OU's football team, did Jason White's ACL Reconstruction and a large number of elite athletes. He grafted the patalla and it went beautfifully.

Zach's been rehabbing since Last Feb, with very brief breaks after each surgery. He's doing great, but I know he's nervous and skeptical about returning to full capacity in terms of being competitive, both in football and baseball (he's14, so you might expect that). Your own anecdotes concerning how you and one of your players were able to perform after reconstruction and pt will go very, very in building his confidence--I intend to print your replies and pass them along to him.

Thanks to all who have taken the trouble to take this one on for me--it's deeply appreciated. Steve Knippenberg

steveokla,
The problem doesn't seem to me to be the injury or the surgery(rehab). It seems to be a mental issue with your son. If the Doctor is letting him play baseball, then what he is saying is the surgery was a success. I think what your son needs is positive affirmations, tape some notes around your home, on the bathroom mirror, the fridge, in his room, on his computer,wherever he spends a lot of time. You can write a multitude of positive messages. Get the Doctor to write a note, talk to his coach and see if he would write something like looking forward to working with you. Also, you may consider asking his Doctor or PT if he could have a football player who has had the same surgery talk to your son. I wish you and your son the best of luck and please keep us posted.