Hey guys, i thought i'd get on here and try to give some words of encouragement. i'm 25...i played soccer all through high school and college. even after college i played in co-ed leagues and indoor leagues. while visiting some friends i played in a pick up game and tore my acl. that was 11 months ago. i just wanted to let you know that you will be back before you know it. i felt the same way as you do now...like i'd never be the same, like i'd never play again. about 6 months after surgery i started running again, around 8 months i ran a half marathon, 9 months i ran another half marathon, and 10 months in, i was playing indoor again with a brace. i'm still wearing my brace and i've been able to get back to my outdoor team. you'd be surprised how much of your touches you retain...its more of the fitness and strength that will be tough to get back. my left leg is still smaller than my right but i've heard that it takes up to 18 months to get all your muscle back.

hang in there...you'll be back before you know it... it's going to be tough and it's going to be painful...i still get sore after every game, run, and workout. it's all a part of recovery.

don't give up.

Hey, when i logged in i saw the post "acl injury anyone been there?" Yes, i have been there. I am a highschool senior who missed my entire summer, fall and half of winter sessions with my premiere team as well as highschool because of an ACL tear. I am just 3 months back into the game and i am already back to where i was skill wise. With the negativity, i remember thinking the same thing. how will i ever be the same or how will my game ever be back to where i was...well it will come back i promise. It takes a lot of time to get back into the shape to run for a full 90 minutes but it will come. The skill and strength that you lost will be back in no time. Going to the gym is the best thing to do. I have been lifting ever since i got hurt and my legs are stronger than they were before. The skill is still there, it never went anywhere. Yes you will be a little rusty when you first start playing again but in about 2 practices, it will be back. When i first came back i didnt have any confidence in my game and i have always been one to be sort of flashy and do a lot of useful moves, and when i came back i thought that those would be a burden seeing as how i didnt want to get hurt again. If you go into a practice or a game nervous and thinking oh i dont want to get hurt, your more susceptable to get hurt again because your mind is not where it should be. When you finally return to play, just play. Dont over think everything, just go out there and do your thing. Yes you will be a little sore after the game or practice, and the best thing to do then is to ice after everything. Whether its just running of lifting or a game...ice ice ice!!!!! ice became my best friend ever since my surgery. Once you get back into the game and the swing of things, everything will be fine. And your not going to re injure your knee unless someone tries to take your knee out forcefully....lol. With your new acl, your doctor should have made it thicker than it was before, which protects from any future injuires. Don't get me wrong it can deffinitley happen, but it is very unlikely. Again, when you get out on the pitch again, just play your game. And if someone does try and take out your knees, let them know whose boss. Dont let anyone push you around....lol Good luck with your recovery and you will be fine!!

I tore my ACL twice. The first time when I was 21 and the second was a 1 1/2 ago. The first time was just my ACL and the second time was my ACL and both miniscuses. It was the same knee both times. It took about a 12-18 months until I was playing again. Once I was fully recovered I was playing without any change in my abilities. Hang in there. You are doing the best thing you can by doing your therapy. Make sure to get enough rest as well. The body needs that in order to recover from injuries properly. I would say the main thing that would hold you back from playing at 100% again would be the mental battle. A lot of people are hesitant when coming back from ACL surgery. Stay focused, stay positive and you will be alright.