Zack’s ACL Repair Patient Story
Zack is a St. Mary’s College of Maryland soccer player who came to us following a season ending ligament injury to his right knee that he sustained in June. He then underwent surgical repair of his ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) in his right knee in July of 2021. He came to us upon return to College in the fall to work his way from surgery back onto the soccer field. Typical ACL rehabilitation with a full return to sport has a calculated rehabilitation program that can take anywhere from 6 months to a year to complete depending on multiple variables. The progression starts with bracing and crutches for protection of the repair and requires the patient to progress from that to return to normal walking and daily activities to then furthermore progressing to jogging, running, and sport specific activities. Zack proved his determination while he worked endlessly in physical therapy, as well as with his resources at the college, to build his strength, restore normal joint mechanics, progress his balance, and allow for return to speed, agility, and sport specific training necessary for return to soccer. We could not be more proud to say that he was successfully cleared to return in time for the men’s spring soccer season and set the bar high with a goal in his first game back!
