How Athletes Can Cope with Season-Ending Injuries
It's your senior year, and you are starting your last volleyball season. The outlook for the season is promising as you practice to prepare for the first game. You are demonstrating proper form and fundamentals as you attempt a block at the net. When you land, your knee hyperextends and you hear a loud "pop" accompanied by intense pain. You have torn your ACL. You need surgery. Your season is over. What now?
This process can be long and the road to recovery difficult and fraught with complications. First, set personal goals for recovery: "What it is that you are trying to do after you heal?" This is your long term goal and could range from playing next season to simply being able to get back to your normal activities without pain.
The next step is to divide your recovery into smaller periods. This allows for achieving short term goals, and makes the recovery process easier to manage. Instead of looking at the big picture and becoming overwhelmed at the enormity of the task at hand, you can focus on a series of small steps. Setting and achieving new goals throughout the sports rehabilitation process can keep one motivated and prevent disillusionment with the recovery process.
As you progress with your therapy and are able to perform more activities, you may be able to assist in drills and practices. You might start simply by "feeding balls" to your coach. Further along in your recovery, you might be able to direct drills and encourage teammates on proper techniques.
Remember to continue to work on skills that weren't affected by your sports injury. As you progress through your sports rehabilitation, make sure to reintroduce skills and conditioning as advised by your doctor or physical therapist. This gradual return will keep you from being too rusty once you are cleared to play again.
The key to a successful recovery is staying motivated. Hang in there with your physical therapy and keep your goals in mind. You'll be back in action before you know it!
The author would like to acknowledge Katie Visintine, MS, ATC/LAT co-author of this article. Katie is an athletic trainer specializing in injury prevention and "pre-injury" education.
Dr. Mark Galland is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon specializing in sports medicine, practicing in Wake Forest and North Raleigh. He serves as team physician and orthopaedic consultant to the Carolina Mudcats, AA Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball, as well as several area high schools and colleges. Dr. Galland can be reached at (919) 562-9410 or by visiting www.orthonc.com or www.drmarkgalland.com.
Photo Caption/Credit: Even serious sports injuries don't necessarily mean the end of sports. While a season-ending injury may seem like the end of the world, it can make you stronger in the long run (Photo by Teri Saylor).
