Torn ACLs are amongst the most common injuries in young athletes and are the most common injuries that female athletes face. Female athletes are eight times more likely to tear their ACLs than male athletes (Yale Medicine).
On January 25th Weddington JV girls basketball was taking on Union Academy when sophomore Maddox West tore her ACL during the second period. In the midst of the second period Maddox West ran to block a pass, “I ran and I tried to get in front of her, but when I jumped and I landed, my right knee went out and back in…” Maddox explained.
Your ACL is a ligament found in your knee. It connects your femur to your tibia. Any force on your knee that causes it to twist or bend in an unnatural way will likely cause you to tear your ACL. Your ACL cannot heal on its own, but it’s possible to live with it; however, if you are an athlete, then you will have to have surgery. The typical recovery time is 6-9 months.
Sophomore soccer player Payton Lee is just coming back to soccer after being out from tearing her ACL. She tore her ACL in November of 2022. She describes the process of recovery as “constant physical therapy, gym work, strength training, and seeing doctors every week… It was a lot of work.” Payton is now able to return to soccer after months of recovery. “It feels amazing. I love just being able to play again,” she explained..
Maddox West had surgery on March 8th and now begins her recovery to return to the basketball court. . “I hope to get it back to where it was… and make sure I get a full recovery.”
