Simisoccerfan
PREMIER
D1. No idea how minutes were tracked since she goes to JMU in Virginia. First game she got minutes was an away game at Duke with 21 minutes. I held my breath for all 21 of the minutes.
Torn ACL
- Thread starter Surf Zombie
- Start date
Surf Zombie
GOLD
Mine is 7 months post surgery and just got cleared to start cutting. Her Sophomore HS season runs early September to early November and then her ECNL season starts early December, so the timing is good.
She will use the summer to keep rehabbing and doing strength training and will be at 9 1/2 months post surgery right around her first HS game of the season. I’m planning to speak with the HS coach and limit her play time to maybe 15 minutes per half to start the season and build from there.
Sadly three of her club teammates tore their ACL’s this year. One during training and two during games. The third just had surgery this week.
She will use the summer to keep rehabbing and doing strength training and will be at 9 1/2 months post surgery right around her first HS game of the season. I’m planning to speak with the HS coach and limit her play time to maybe 15 minutes per half to start the season and build from there.
Sadly three of her club teammates tore their ACL’s this year. One during training and two during games. The third just had surgery this week.
Surf Zombie
GOLD
What did you start her out at in terms of minutes per half of play time and what was the progression to get back to playing 70-80 minutes?
Surf Zombie
GOLD
Yes, the timeframe is post surgery. Mine tore her ACL first week of October but didn’t have surgery until mid November. Day of surgery is “Day 1” so to speak.
I would say 10 min a half - sometimes 20 mins a half/sit the second the first few matches. Middle matches 20 mins a half or full half then sit. Last couple of matches full half to 20-30 min. April to June time frame. Still maintain gym/pt regimen.
Surf Zombie
GOLD
Thanks! This is very helpful.
dk_b
GOLD
Our recs were pretty structured until the 1 yr anniversary of the surgery: weekly increases starting at 22 mins, then 45, then 65, then 90, no back-to-back games (that is, no Sat/Sun) (before they were cleared for games, they were cleared for full contact at reduced time in practice, then that plus participation in scrimmages, then full everything at practice/scrimmages, then games). At 1 yr, restrictions were off (I had asked Dr about summer camps for my 2d twin b/c our schedule was so sparse, she would get to 65 and not 90 before the season ended and he said after a year, she’s good). He continued to stress - and the PTs as well - that fatigue should ALWAYS be monitored b/c when fatigue sets in, form breaks down and when form breaks down, injury risk rises. So even if they have played 90 in a prior weekend, they need to listen to their bodies so they don’t overdo it on a day when they are not 100% or a team is particularly physical (thus more exhausting) or its really hot, etc.
For those late to this thread (or just simply missing one of my original posts): my twins (now 16) tore their ACLs 8 weeks apart in Spring ‘21. Same surgeon for both but he recommended patellar for one and quad for the other.
VegasParent
SILVER ELITE
Is your kid playing with a brace? My kids Ortho recommends she plays with a brace until 2 years post op. Another kid in her club said her Ortho recommends no brace at all. The brace is clearly uncomfortable to play in for my kid so I'm wondering if I should look at other options.
youthsportsuggghhhhgghh
BRONZE
good question -- Our Ortho and PT have both said she shouldn't/wouldn't need a brace when she is cleared to play. I would think that is what you would want when being cleared to play -- no need for a brace.
Surf Zombie
GOLD
My DD had surgery at Children’s Hospital in Boston. Even within the orthopedic department at that hospital there is a split amongst the surgeons on the brace/no brace recommendations. My DD’s surgeon says wear the brace for the first year returning to play. Her teammate, who had surgery with a different Dr. at the same hospital said the brace isn’t needed once she is cleared to return to play.
To me, it’s like watching a Supreme Court split decision. All brilliant jurists, but there are differences of opinion.
VegasParent
SILVER ELITE
This is what I have been noticing. Multiple kids in my DD's club have had ACL tears and after talking to the parents (we have all gone to different Dr's) we have all been given different return to play guidelines. The only thing that has been consistent is waiting until the 9 month mark. While I'm all for being cautious, 2 years post op with the brace seems quite long. I'll see what he says at her 1 year post op appointment and see if we need to make adjustments
No brace. Insurance PT, Ortho and separate sports PT all agreed no brace. PT says no need for a reminder lol. Some truth to it I suppose.
soccerchaffeur
SILVER
My daughter is now 7 months post op and returned to training last week(no contact). Doc said the brace is unnecessary.
Our Ortho saw benefits for some athletes but does not push it. My daughter doesn't want it, She feels it is going to restrict her movement, speed agility etc and doesn't need the reminder. A teammate is three years post op still wears one each athlete is different and should know what works for them.
Surf Zombie
GOLD
So my DD is 8 months post surgery this week and also has her return to play test with her surgeon in a couple days.
Crazy how fast it flew by, which was hard to imagine when the injury first happened. She starts her sophomore HS season in early September, so she is on track for that. Running, doing PT and strength work 5 days a week this summer. She said the hardest part (physically) was the first week after surgery and (mentally) watching her teammates play while she had to watch from the bench because she wanted to play so bad.
Just wanted to say a quick thank you for all the great advice on this thread since my original post. I hope the rest of your DD’s are back in action and killing it.
Echoing SurfZombie's post its nice being on the other side of the tunnel journey to recovery. My daughter got cleared right at the end of last month, her club team is on a bit of a break but she is looking forward to Surf Cup this weekend. She could probably play a full 90 minutes right now but we are still asking the coach to throttle her time to 20 min's a half to make sure she is fit for it. I would love to take credit for my daughter's recovery but it's all her and the extraordinary work of my spouse who spent countless hours, driving to PhysTherapy, and one-on-one training with my daughter. I was just the emotional cheerleader, admin and money guy. Biggest thing to anyone coming into this thread with a daughter or son starting the process I would say is make sure your daughter/son's expectations are realistic, don't rush to a six month return to sport because "FAMOUS PLAYER X" did. Put in the time, the homework and don't neglect physical fitness along the way so when you do get the RTS from your PhysTherapist you are physically ready not only injury leg ready.
dk_b
GOLD
I'm sorry to be reading this and I'm not in Orange County (I'm in Northern California) but whoever you see, my strong rec would be that she or he has a significant practice in pediatric orthopedics. It's great if a surgeon works with this pro team or that college team but you want someone who works a lot with adolescents (athletes in particular if your son is aspiring to higher level play). A 14yo's physiology, mentality, etc is not the same as a 20yo college athlete's or a pro. All the best to your son (and to you as you have to navigate this as well)
Thanks for that. At this point trying to figure out how to stay proactive even though we need to wait for surgery until the swelling is down. Has anyone got advice on resources for strengthening the leg before surgery? It sound like this can help with the recovery process but want to make sure we do the right exercises.
It's amazing how fast leg strength falls off after surgery. Our surgeon had DD doing PT before surgery to get the leg as strong as possible. Since the knee is weakened, you'll need to be careful to avoid injuring it further, so I recommend a professional PT guide you.
I have an appointment set up with PT for “prehab” on Monday so we are eager to get started with that. As I am doing more research I am reading about the BEAR method for ACL repairs. Did anyone consider this option? It’s a pretty new way of helping the ACL repair itself and there are 5 pediatric orthopedic surgeons in socal that do this. I’m not sure what type of procedure will be best for my son because he is still growing but will hopefully be able to speak to knee specialists next week.
I’m also wondering how did it is work out for your child to stay connected to the team? I’m wondering what to do as he is relatively new to this team and now he will miss all or most of the season. We plan to attend local games etc but not sure if there will be any point in going to practice?
It is encouraging to read everyone’s experiences because right now it feels like a mountain of losses between the start of the club season, missing surf cup and camps and then high school starting as well. We will try to take it one day at a time.
I’m also wondering how did it is work out for your child to stay connected to the team? I’m wondering what to do as he is relatively new to this team and now he will miss all or most of the season. We plan to attend local games etc but not sure if there will be any point in going to practice?
It is encouraging to read everyone’s experiences because right now it feels like a mountain of losses between the start of the club season, missing surf cup and camps and then high school starting as well. We will try to take it one day at a time.