lilc3

Hey stbulldog. The summer sure did fly by! i am doing well, the knee is alot better. How are you doing?

TN Temple is in 5A....

as in Tennessee Temple?

My 12 year old daughter tore her ACL back in March while playing AAU. Her doctor says she'll most likely play this season. She will be a 7th grader next year and she's a post (5'10). I was wondering (from anyone player or parent, who has experienced this) should we let her sit out the whole year? This a pivotal year in her development, she was going to start and I don't want her to get behind as far as development, but at the same time her mother and I want her to be 100% when she takse the court again. My thinking is she sits out the year, and gets ready for her 8th grade year by playing AAU again in the spring. Or should we let her come back when the doctor clears her. Any ideas?

well, as a player, i don't see the use in taking a full yr. The doctor isnt gunna release her til she's 100%, and you really don't get any better than 100%. Do exactly what the doctor says though! it's the key to sucsess these days. So, in my opinion, she will be 100% when the doctor releases her. anytimr sitting after that would be wasted.

I'm so sorry to hear that though. she has my prayers.

p.s. wow! 5'10" in 7th grade is promising! (i wish i was that tall at 12... or now for that matter=) )

Well, i got a little predicament. My doctor (Dr. Clarke of scenic city sports medicene) is no longer practicing in the chattanooga area where i currently reside. i've got 3-4 more months recovery time, and he's given me 30 days to finda new doctor. does anyone have any refferals? i really don't want this to effect my recovery time at all so i need one fast.

Remember what we talked about approx a year ago. You have no decision about recovery, you have to do it. As you now know sports can be taken away in just an instant. You have decisions about sports in the future that you will have to make. It is not as simple as lacing up the shoes and deciding to go play. But remember what is the one thing in school that no one can take away from you. Thats those grades, I hope they are flourishing along with the hard work re-habbing the knee. Make sure those grades are going up or in the process of going up. The goal should be college whether its by sports or not. What you decide on this will have an effect on the rest of your life. Everybody gets down, but try and not stay down. Be a fighter, and remember there are may rewards to those who stay the course. If its sports, great, if not academics is great as well. Please go to college. Take care, /smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

Hey people... just as an update: My knee is doing great. still going to PT 2x a week. its very challenging still as you could imagine. I can swim and bike now, which is amazing to get to do cardio! i go to the doc on tuesday for a check up. But things are goin smoothly thank goodness! no infections or retears thus far. I still can't run. But my pt says i will be soon.

stbulldog im proud to say that my grades have improved alot, ive been working hard. gunna take my ACT in june. Thanks for your post and encouragement

Amen

i sure do wish there were! THe biggest problem i'm having is getting full extention..... still. ive gotten it 1 time i think, in therapy after the muscles were relaxed and massaged. it kinda feels like im never gunna get better... ive got like 4 more months to go... long boring months

A lot of people and relatives thought she lost her mind. /roflol.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":roflol:" border="0" alt="roflol.gif" /> /roflol.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":roflol:" border="0" alt="roflol.gif" /> She just loves the game.

your right though, it effects the whole family. I think the hardest part,, is day of surgery, watching them go through it. And it just kills the good players to have to watch. Patience comes hard with youth.

She had two surgeries in each knee. She tore the acl in her right knee during aau in her freshman year, then tore her meniscus the beginning of her sophmore season. She tore the acl in her left knee the befginning of her junior year, and the following feb. she tore her meniscus during physical therapy, so she had a total of 4 surgeries. She was afraid this past November and December, but picked up confidence as it went on. She was just starting to play as her old self and the season was over, but she was thankful to have finished the season.

that is truely such an encouraging story. it really inspires me. Physically, im fine, but emotionally its really depressing. i try to keep myself busy if im not watching my team practice or play. i guess thats kinda helped. i'm kinda prone to cry from time to time at random times, if i see my team in a close game like someone had already mentioned, or pulling up to a gym where i used to train.

UNAKAMOM, one thing i can tell you that my parents have done that has been great is pushed me in my therapy. Trying to get that extra set of leg lifts in, or whatever it may be. and they also have been praying like crazy. And one of the biggest things is making sure i follow doc's orders. I don't know what i would have done without them through this. Encouragement is key=)

Thank you, I really appreciate that. I never realized how severe an injury like this was until we have gone through it with our daughter. It is a very hard thing to go through even as a parent. The thing that has been the hardest for me is not being able to "fix it" for my daughter!! I wish your daughter the best in her recovery!! Great to hear she is going to be able to go down to one day a week in therapy! We still have therapy three days a week. We went back for a check-up Tuesday and the doctor said she is not where he wanted her to be!!! Scar tissue is our problem right now. It looks like we may have to have to go back in and clean out the scar tissue but we are hoping for the best. We go back to the doctor in four weeks and he will make the decision then. Please continue to pray that God's will be done in each of our children's situation for only he truly knows what is best for them. My daughter also just turned 16 on February 7th. I think being able to drive has helped the situation a little, but I would like to ask you a question if I may? Has the basketball season but hard on your daughter? I had hoped as the season went on it would get easier for her!! Boy was I wrong!!! A lot of different emotions to deal with right now!!!! Praying the best for everyone!!

 

P.S. lilc3- I hope all is going well with you, haven't heard from you in a couple of days! Just know you are in my prayers!!

hey unaka mom, sorry i have been sick for a few days so i havent had the chance to get on. My knee is doing great!!!! I'm walking and focusing on going without a limp. it's still very challenging in therapy, VERY! but its all for the good. thank you so much for your prayers they mean alot to me. the eletrical stimulation is the absolute worst part, well one of them=) Driving is helping me alot as it is with your daughter.

oh, about the sores on my knee, i found out it was an allergic reaction to this glue they had on there. Thank goodness it wasnt an infection as first precieved.

it's really hard emotionally right now going into tourny's... but i did get to shoot a lil bit on tuesday, just from a standing position. that felt so good. Hope your daughter is doing well ill be praying for her.

This is premature. Grace still has to beat Copper on Tuesday. If Copper wins there will be a three way tie for first.

Its way to premature. i agree. go cougars.

For those of you who don't know, and it is Tournament Time, there is a strain of flu going around that Flu Shots do not help. Many teams and players are getting sideswiped by the bug. Be careful and be flu free during Tournament time.

Some athletes play better when they're sick (i.e. Michael Jordan). Which is amusing. But most don't. Why don't the flu shots help?

High, by your post, I have emailed ETSU Sports information and have told them of this site and given them the Name of its Originator LILC3 and asked them to have someone get on here and post and answer questions any might have on prevention. This sounds like something that would be valuable. No one has answered my email but if anyone on this site sees an ETSU name associated or if you Lilc3 see it, try to start a dialogue concerning those questions you might have and likely others will start asking also and all can give their appreciation to the Highlander, if this works, for the help. I believe someone will start posting a reply.

This was a great idea PHargis. greatlty appriciated. Mabe they'll see it and post some answers.

Just for the info, i am not 11 or anything... but i did lift heavily at that age, many people believe that made me shorter. sorry that's besides the matter though.

I'll keep on the lookout for the ETSU people.

New to this thread but justed wanted to let you know I'm paraying for you! Our daughter tore her ACL and partially tore her meniscus and sprained her MCL and pressured the nerve in front of her kneecap in a scrimage two weeks before the season started. That was November 17th. Surgery was performed December 19th with hamstring used for ACL and complete repair of meniscus. Surgery went great! Started therapy on Monday, December 22nd. She is a sophmore and started on Varsity as a freshman. Played and started every game since she was six years old. This has been a very traumatic thing for her as well as my husband and I. Therapy has went very slow but to not being able to staighten or bend the knee before surgery. has made it hard to do after surgery! She is almost 8 weeks out and still has therapy 3 times a week. Her thrapist is WONDERFUL!!!! She is dealing with a lot of emotions as I am sure you are too!!! My heart breaks for her at ever ballgame, but still, she goes and supports her teammates. I wish you all the best and hope therapy goes well for you!! She was on 1 crutch and still wore her brace until 2 weeks ago. Whatever you do, don't rush!!! Listen to what your therapist and doctor tell you to do and then do it!!! If it takes a little longer than you think it should, don't worry, you want to be 100% when you go back. My daughter's stitches did not get infected, but I know someone who's did. Her incision was red and hot to the touch and was protruding from the knee. Your incison will look a little red, but I would contact my doctor ot let the therapsit look at it to be safe!!! God Bless you /smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /> in your recovery!!!

Thank you so much for your prayers unakamom. They are needed and appriciated. I'm trusting God with the emotional side of it all..... its been too much for me. But i have epace about it now. The incision is not the part causing the problems, its the area around it. thats what they're concerned about. i'm walking today for the first time by the way. And oh how exciting it is!

go lady eagles the temple grace rivalry just gets better and better!

what's their overall record? and i thought temple beat them the first time.

Hang in there, you're almost past the worst part of the rehab, at least is was with my daughter.

 

We are four weeks post-surgery, and her rehab is going great. She has ditched her crutches and the brace is gone also. She has little pain/stiffness and is having a hard time wondering why she can't play. She's naive.

 

Keep us updated with your progress, please!

Great! i'm glad to hear she's doing well. If i'm not mistaken, today is her birthday correct?

i'm havin some pain and stiffness but other than that im fine.... My trainer is concerned with my incision though. looks a lil infected. We're hoping and praying it isn't! We don't want as tom brady situation on our hands.

She's right its hard not playing. but i still cant walk with out a crutch so i guess its a lil easier for me.

Best wishes!!! i'll keep ya updated.

Does anyone know how to tell when an incision is infected??? Some of you PT's out there may know

Strength and conditioning has gotten out of hand at most levels, including pro sports. Statistical studies show a shift in the types of injuries athletes are suffering. The once so-called freak injuries are common place. ACL used to be rare 25 years ago when everybody was popping medials or laterals in the knee. Once shoulders were separated. Now, NFL linemen and junior high basketball players are tearing soft tissue at an alarming rate.

 

STOP OVERDEVELOPING THE BODY TO A POINT BEYOND THE CAPACITY OF THE SOFT TISSUE TO HANDLE THE FORCES THEY ARE SUBJECTED TO. The good Lord knew how to design a human body. We're overloading his design. It's that simple. We need to build more endurance not muscle mass.

Good point Wave80. are you just spreaking of the young athletes who over trainer their bodies in the developmental phases of the body, or everyone? And also, do you think that weight training at an early age such as 10 11 and 12 stunts growth?

Thats good enough. Might put your credentials there it would help/

Just as an update, i started therapy last week, the first visit wasn't to bad, the shocking of my muscles was the worst part. The in home stuff they gave me to do has been pretty excruciating, tears have been shed. But its all worth it. i get to walk for the first time on saturday, im not in a brace anymore, and on one crutch. Things are looking up, the scar isn't too bad right now, still red and swollen. i have a good therapist, she's been great so far and i go back today for my 2nd visit.

To shift the subject a little: I recently took a cont ed course on anterior knee pain (jumpers knee, patello-femoral maltracking syndrome, etc) Pain in the front of the knee is very common in female athletes, especially with jumping sports.

 

Course was 3 days, and one of the things emphasized was hip strength, especially in the abductors (muscles that swing your leg out to the side) and extensors (glutes - -- a muscular butt is a good thing, and referred to as your "big house").

 

One check or screening for hip strength, is to do a single leg dip while standing sideways on a step. Watch your knee. Does it stay over the center of your foot, or does it pull to the inside? If it pulls to the inside, you are at high risk for knee injury or a pain syndrome.

 

Strengthen those hips!!!!

this is something i've struggled with for a year or two now.... when i land from juming my knees turn in. my athletic trainer this summer noticed and we tried to break the habit, but i guess that might have aided to the ACL tear shortly after. You info makes sense.

Here is a great article I saved from ESPN.COM 3 years ago.

 

 

 

 

Proper training can reduce ACL risks in female athletesEmail Print By Anna Gramling

ESPN.com

Archive

It's the three-letter acronym that is every athlete's nightmare.

 

Yet a torn ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is an injury that can't be ignored, especially by female athletes.

 

What is the anterior cruciate ligament?

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of four knee ligaments that connect the upper leg bone (femur) with the lower leg bone (tibia). The ACL stabilizes knee movement by:

??? Preventing the lower leg bone from sliding forward or turning inward when the leg is straight.

??? Preventing the knee from being stretched or straightened beyond its normal limits (hyperextended).

??? Supporting the knee ligaments that keep the knee from bending sideways.

 

Source: WebMD

 

According to The Houston Chronicle, one in every 10 female college athletes will suffer a torn ACL each year.

 

Recent statistics show the chances for a major knee injury are four to eight times higher for females than males.

 

Why such a large discrepancy between men and women? The answer to that question remains unresolved, but there are numerous theories. Some link the higher injury rate in females to environmental, anatomic, hormonal and biomechanical factors, while others claim that differences in training (coaching and strength techniques) lead to the devastating injury.

 

"I think that being in great shape physically can help in preventing an ACL tear, but I honestly believe that an ACL injury can happen to anyone at any time," Baylor softball player Kelly Osburn told ESPN.com. The outfielder tore the ACL in her right knee in 2005 before making a comeback last season.

 

"When my injury occurred, I feel like I was in very good shape, and that is why it came as a huge shock to me. Now that I have had some time off, I am just starting to feel pain free. I still do not feel like I have all of the strength back in my right leg."

 

 

MVP Sports Media Training

North Carolina State guard Billie McDowell spent the summer rehabbing from a torn ACL.Some NCAA schools emphasize proper training and exercise, including a strong strength and conditioning program, in hopes of reducing the risks for their athletes.

Sara Wiley, the strength and conditioning coach at Minnesota, says her players utilize a multidimensional approach to prevention.

 

"First, we teach athletes to decelerate with proper mechanics either from a jump or a sprint. This way, we reinforce proper mechanics of landing and deceleration, as well as strengthen around the joint. It also contributes to the development of explosiveness, quickness and agility. We also move in multiple planes [i.e. forward-backward, side-to-side, etc.] In addition, we include simple drills that teach the nervous system to fire rapidly, as well as promote stability around the knee joint."

 

Wiley also has her athletes participate in preventive exercises that she says set the stage for further development of performance (speed, power, quickness and agility).

 

"We do activities prior to strength training or conditioning that can be consider 'prehab' type exercises that fit nicely in the warm up -- single and double leg line hops, catching and throwing while the athlete is squatting, single leg hamstring work, etc., to activate the hamstrings prior to beginning training. These vary daily, but [they] reinforce the mechanics, balance, coordination and muscle activation we are training more aggressively in the actual workout."

 

In the case of the women's basketball team at Tennessee, it's about wearing the right shoes.

 

Jenny Moshak, the Vols' assistant athletics director for sports medicine who works primarily with Pat Summitt's team, said she talked with adidas about redesigning their shoes a few years ago.

 

Moshak requested several characteristics in a shoe:

1. A neutral last -- which is the bottom base of the shoe around which the rest of the shoe is constructed -- as opposed to a curved last. This was to start with a neutral base.

2. A high and deep heel counter, which is the portion of the shoe that stabilizes the heel of the foot once it hits the ground. A shoe will not be able to control how [or in what position] an athlete's heel hits the ground. However, once it does hit, the heel should not move, slide or rotate.

3. A stable forefoot -- not flimsy. The movement in a foot/shoe should occur at the midfoot and not the forefoot.

4. Proportions suitable for narrow feet. Just because a foot gets longer, it does not necessarily get incrementally wider.

 

"The relationship between the shoe construction and ACL prevention is that we do a lot with foot orthosis," Moshak said. "If our athletes' feet do not hit the ground in a neutral position, we will bring the ground up to their foot with orthotics and correct biomechanical issues. Therefore, we want stable, neutral, movement-correct, properly fitting shoes so that the orthotic works optimally."

 

The Lady Vols have been wearing shoes with these characteristics since 1999, according to Moshak. Although they do not keep statistics on whether or not the shoes prevent injuries, Moshak is convinced that they help in alleviating a number of injuries.

 

How do you avoid another ACL injury?

If you have already had an ACL injury, you can avoid another ACL injury by:

??? Strengthening the injured knee through rehabilitation exercises.

??? Changing your sports techniques to avoid motions that might stress the injured knee.

??? Changing your lifestyle to avoid sports that have a high risk of injuring your knee further, such as skiing, football, soccer or basketball.

??? Wearing a knee brace during high-risk activities. However, braces should be used only if rehabilitation is also being done. Wearing a brace alone may be of little benefit and may give you a false sense of security.

 

Source: WebMD

 

Another popular and rigorous program that helps reduce ACL injuries and enhance performance is Sportsmetrics, which was founded by renowned Cincinnati surgeon Dr. Frank Noyes.

 

The U.S. Naval Academy, Kentucky, North Carolina, Washington, Wake Forest, Tennessee, Kansas and Baylor are just a few of the Division I schools that have used Sportsmetrics, administrative director Tommy Campbell said.

 

The principle element of Sportsmetrics teaches female athletes the benefits of proper jumping and landing techniques.

 

Sportsmetrics is a six-week rehabilitation program that consists of three one-hour sessions per week. It incorporates stretches, jump/plyometric training, and strength and coordination exercises. The landing techniques emphasized by Sportsmetrics allow for more controlled knee joint actions while providing stability at the same time.

 

Participating in one or all of these methods isn't foolproof and an ACL injury can still occur. But the earlier a female athlete begins a preventive program, the better off she may be in the long run.

 

"I can tell you that in the last five years we have trained and/or tested over 1,000 female athletes," Campbell said. "Our program is geared for high school athletes and in our attempt to train as many athletes as possible, we feel comfortable that the athletes that decide to continue their sporting careers are trained in the areas of injury prevention. The goal is to train younger athletes in order to give them the chance to continue their career and not to be out of their sport due to a preventable injury."

thank you so much knighttime. im "copy and pasting" this one to my email.

PHargis, in reply to your long post, the reason i started this was because i know alot of girls who are sitting on the bench right now with ACL's, Ankle sprains and back problems. Girls with d1 potential, who had their who season ahead of them before the point of their own injury. And i cant help but hink theres gotta be some way to prevent these? so thats why i started this.

Certainly, there are things that people say you can do to help prevent injuries and it may help if only mentally, but a top orthopedic surgeon known to many once talked about it like this to me. He said that girls are simply not physically made to play sports. He went on to say this does not mean that they are not gifted athletes and will continue to be, he was speaking from a purely physiological standpoint. The ratio of knee injuries is two to five times (ACL) higher rate girls than boys. The good doctor went on to say that in all probability this will continue. An example Vicki Baugh of the Lady Vols, a truly gifted athlete with unlimited potential. She tore her ACL for the second time in less than a year last Tuesday. This player was bull strong athletic as they come and her future as one of the Lady Vol greats would have surprised no one. But now, she will be very fortunate indeed to regain her former playing status due to devastating knee injuries. She is only nineteen or twenty year old. This is a women's sports fact of life. I am all for any safe prevention exercises and drills that may help to slow down the occurence of injuries. But it won't change the physiological realities of being female and playing hard physical sports, there are going to be injuries at a much higher rate than male athletes. /smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

i heard about Viki Baugh, well i was watching the game and i saw it happen. I thought it looked like ACL to me. really stinks for her.

I know alot of injuries like stress fractures and things of the such are definately over-use things that are often the coach's or player's fault from not giving their body a break from intense conditioning. so i know that can be prevented. But breaks and things... diet can be argued. But you can only do so much.

I just have looked in on this site and for the past 4 years had initiated it on this forum. There was a lot of help during that time. But the information soming out of this year's version is of high caliber that I have seen and expecially the PT help being given. This is a very high quality group of posters that has concern. However, not to get you off subject and it should not be done, finding ways to cut down on the injuries to start with could be of interest to many. It may need to be put on another thread to not disturb the interaction between those who are communicating here. The best way I can explain this is OUTSTANDING and with as many acls as I am hearing of, this thread could go on for some time. Athletic injuries are a fact of life but systemic help from Doctors such as the ones mentioned and some followup from those helping here is invaluable. This subject and care has sure improved over the years. Good luck.

well PHargis i guess you see that i started a prevention of sports injuries thread. i don't know if it will sky rocket like this one did though.

Breaking bones. Spraining ankles. Pulling ligaments. Tearing ACL's, PCL's, and MCL's. What can be done? They all seem to be such inevitable occurances. Does anyone have the answers? theres got to be a way to prevent them.

Talking to your doctor is exactly what you should do. Most of the time, the knee will feel tight, but no risk of re-tearing with the exercises as long as you do what you have been told. One exercise to not do early on is knee extension, (moving your leg from bent to straight), using your quads. When you need to straighten out your leg, use the other ankle to help. Ask your PT about the patellar pain. And hang in there. When you start walking, it will be with your brace locked and crutches, then with your brace unlocked only in PT, no crutches, then with your brace unlocked all the time. How quickly you get out of the brace depends on your quad strength.

 

Keep me informed!! I am pulling for you!!

thanks! i went to the doctor yesterday, got my immobilizer off for good, and am in a smaller brace that bends. Im still on crutches starting my 5th week post op.... but for 3 days im on 30lbs of pressure, 3 days after on 50, 3 later on 75, then on to 100-full weight. i was bummed to hear i would be on crutches for 2 more weeks, bc iv been on them now since the 5th of december. my doc said i dont have to wear a brace @ all from here on out, but i feel safer right now wearing one.

i'm set to start therapy thursday evening, im nervous cuz i know its gunna hurt. But totally willing.

PHargis your right about what you said. Prevention is KEY!!!!!!!! And everyone has been a real encouragement.

candace dyer can only get her team so far but in all honesty their best player is janette elliot. Besides J they have kellie kellogg who has really stepped up recently. Can she continue to dominate?

you honestly think she is? she's good and all. but Dyer is the leader. she's got some people who stepped up and took some scoring pressure but c'mon.