ACL Reconstruction - No Skiing this Summer

On top of dedicating every winter weekend to snow skiing, I play fairly competitive indoor soccer all winter long as well. In Feb, during a late night game, I went to settle a routine pass out of the air and unfortunately landed the wrong way on my left leg.

When I landed, my leg was already fully extended and all my weight ended up at the heal of my foot. With all my weight on my left leg and with my cleat fully engaged in the artificial turf, my knee severely hyperextended. The horror of seeing my knee locked and bent backwards was only outdone buy the extremely loud pops and cracks that accompanied it.

Despite the injury, there wasn't excessive swelling in my knee the next day. My doctor told me my knee was stable and I only had an MCL strain. He thought I would be ready to play soccer in about two weeks and he gave me the green light to go snow skiing that weekend if I took it easy.

I proceed to go snow skiing three days over the next week and half. Following that I noticed I really couldn't walk without significant pain and a noticeable limp (skiing actually felt better than walking). So I went to a second doctor for another evaluation. By now my knee was significantly swollen. Immediate x-ray (negative) and MRI.

In denial, I went skiing three more days with the family before getting the MRI results early last week.

MRI conclusion: total ACL tear with multiple tears to my meniscus and stress fractures to my femur and tibia. ACL reconstructive surgery scheduled for April 17th. Full recovery - 6-9 months.

Took me about a week before I could tell everyone. Very disappointed to be missing the entire summer. No footing, no skiing, no surfing, no hiking, no mountain biking, etc. Difficult for our family given all we do over the summer - especially since we're getting a new boat - a '97 Sport Nautique.

My Dad has offered to pickup the boat for me and I hope to be able to drive the kids skiing behind it by mid-June.

Luckily, the injury won't impact my job but will sure put a damper on summer activities. I'll be documenting my recovery here for all who are interested.

Enjoy your summer for me! I'll be thinking of you all.

-Keith

Wow, that is a bummer Keith. work your rehab and you will be back soon.

You can still kneeboard right?

Djeez Keith, that's a bummer...
Hope your surgery goes well and your rehab too. just don't force it and take your time to recover fully...

Sorry to hear that Keith. A buddy of mine here at work just had his replaced last week. It has placed him out of work for at least six weeks, but he is starting to get around some.

Hope your recovery goes well!! Also thanks for putting this site together, I have thoroughly enjoyed it. It has complicated my procrastination of house-hold projects, except the ones that involve the boat. But hey at least there is a wealth of knowledge here to help.

Allen

I think I threw up a bit with that post-injury visual. Wow.

Hoping for a speedy recovery sir.

Jan 5 exploded my hamstring on a 43mph barefoot fall, bloody bruise from butt to below the knee, 6-12 month recovery, however it got better pretty quick- I've been footin once already and it felt pretty good, I'm just easing back in.

Hopefully you will have a speedy and complete recovery. And great color combo on that new to you boat.

Bad news with summer so close. If you can still exercise prior to surgery do so as it will aid in the recovery time.

Keith you will love the Sport they are a great all round family boat.

Keith, good luck with your surgery. Unbelievable how such a bad injury went undetected at first. Do you think the skiing did additional demage? I'm looking forward to hearing your progress. Great looking Sport!

Wow Keith, I feel the pain. Broke my foot last May, I was out 8 weeks, can't imagine the 6 to 9 months. At least with the left leg, it will make driving that new Sport much easier (Congrats)! Hoping for a speedier then expected recovery!

Keith wrote: I am very dedicated to getting back as soon as possible. -Keith

Like we already didn't know that.    It's hard to keep a good man down. Really sux to hear about the knee and crappy time of the year for it to go but great news on the newer boat. Praying for a speedy recovery and hope you be able to at least get in and enjoy the new boat with the family. She's pretty!    

Keith,
I went up to Hollis, NH. last Friday to help my Uncle and while driving through Pepperell I wondered how you were doing…
I’m sorry to hear about your injury. Good luck with the surgery and I wish you a speedy recovery.
Congratulations on the new boat! It looks great!! (Love the colors!)
Take care!
Kyle

I wondered when somebody would say that and I was waiting for it...

That sucks man...good luck in surgery and with your rehab.

On the bright side, the new boat looks great, congrats!

torn acl sorry to hear, doc said if you want to ski again go under knife and now after the fact out in the water it's all worth it. thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery