In fact, many surgeons now recommend that patients wait nine to 12 months, sometimes even longer, before returning to their sport. While on the Jimmy Kimmel Live! If you take care of your ACL and train your joints appropriately, then you will be able to minimize the likelihood of having any serious injuries in the future. You may recognize the names of a few other fans of the procedure, including: But famous people arent the only ones who can benefit from LASIK. Liza Minnelli is no stranger to joint replacement surgery. Accessed February 2022. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Some studies have shown that physical therapy may be as effective as surgery in treating ACL tears, especially in young, active patients. She was featured in some mid-card feuds before she had to take time off due to injury after suffering a torn ACL injury during an AEW Dark Elevation PPV. One option developed at HSS is called the All-Inside, All-Epiphyseal Reconstruction (AE). The knee joint is a complex hinge joint that allows the leg to bend and straighten. WebA few years ago, Brittany Mosier was a star soccer player in her sophomore year of high school. Not only does it mean months of grueling rehab, but it also takes a toll on mental health. Bleacher Report. Before his knee replacement surgery, he had tried ACL reconstructions, but they didnt give him the relief he was hoping for. Medicaid: Eligibility and Vision Benefits. For many athletes, the mental health effects of a torn ACL can be just as debilitating as the physical ones. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). WebSo I had an ACL tear last April and had surgery on May 5th. He also said that the hip is better than ever and touring has been great.. This makes room for surgical tools, including the arthroscopic camera, which sends video to a monitor so that the surgeon can see inside the knee joint. He eventually moved to United the following season and went on to establish himself as a cult-hero at Old Trafford. All About Vision does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. NBA. The Guardian. physical therapists and athletic trainers work with patients to improve range of motion, muscle strength, and flexibility. Falcao has suffered 3 ACL injuries in his career, first when he was a youngster at River Plate in 2005, the second on his immediate return, which was worse, and then thirdly at the peak of his career in Monaco which affected his career and form. For an NFL running back, power and explosiveness are vital. Given an ultimatum: get a replacement or let us hire a new lead singer, Perry quit Journey for good. Klay Thompson, for example, suffered a torn ACL in 2019 and has spoken openly about his battle with depression. Tell your surgeon about any medications or dietary supplements you take. In the past, some doctors would clear an athlete to return to play six months after surgery, often without any good assessment of how the knee is doing on the field or court. To maintain his image, he added non-prescription glasses back into his wardrobe. From Sylvester Stallone to Kanye West, plastic surgery is no longer a The injury would keep him out of the game for six months and crucially out of that year's World Cup. Its located in the middle of the knee joint and connects the thigh bone to the shin bone. Orthopedic surgeons gauge the appropriate timing of reconstruction surgery based on: Some evidence suggests that delaying ACL reconstruction surgery for six months or longer after injury reduces a person's chances of having a clinically significant outcome and leads to increased rates of the need for future revision surgeries. As he prepared for LASIK surgery, Shatner originally requested to only have his distance vision corrected, but his doctor suggested otherwise. Follow your doctor's instructions about when to stop eating, drinking and taking any other medication the night before your surgery. Elsevier; 2019. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Friedberg RP. Unfortunately for Taylor, she underwent three total hip replacement surgeries first on her left hip in early 1994, then on her right in 1995 and then a final corrective surgery some years later. William Shatner. Clinical Rheumatology. Colors in general seemed more vivid, in fact. I was highly active and played basketball recreationally as well as lifted weights 5-6 days a week. But she wouldn't be the first celebrity to have gone under the knife and deny it. Winkler recalls spending two years of his life being unable to see out of his right eye, a problem that was completely resolved in surgery. For example, if the quadriceps muscles are stronger than the hamstring muscles, it can put excessive pressure on the ACL, increasing the risk of tears. WebRuud Van Nistelrooy. It may take eight to 12 months or more before athletes can return to their sports. He was expected to be out for a long time but made a timely return just 4 months later and was part of the Spanish squad at the 2006 World Cup. Additionally, complications with LASIK are very low well below 1%, as reported by the American Refractive Surgery Council. Mayo Clinic. Yealy and Shapiro Share COVID-19 Insights with, Pittsburgh Magazine Honors 5 UPMC Nurses for Their, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. He went on to have his best years and break records. Giangarra CE, et al., eds. I put in the hard work and got rewards.. Seriously, everyone. 2018; doi:10.2106/JBJS.RVW.17.00059. Delay should help McCutchen concedes that this recovery wasnt as easy as when he Paul Nassif and Dr. Terry Dubrow of E! B92 0JJ, Copyright 2023 The Midland Knee Protect Clinic, 7 Effective Alternatives to a Knee Replacement Surgery, nSTRIDE autologous treatment for osteoarthritis knee pain. In: DeLee, Drez, and Miller's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: Principles and Practice. Accessed February 2022. If surgery is performed too early, patients may develop a profound scarring response called arthrofibrosis. It is typically performed at the same time as ACL reconstruction, usually via another incision, and it does not generally change the rehab timeline or how long it will take an athlete to return to their sport, she adds. Is laser eye surgery safe?. Perioperative pain management strategies for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Unfortunately, Pollards career took a hit after an ACL injury to his left knee in 2013. He had another surgery the following March after a setback. Make a donation. Best Practice & Research. In 2013, a 51-year-old Steve Carell underwent a total hip replacement. The Illinois native kept up the routine, telling Life & Style in 2012, Im an obvious Botox user. After how quick and painless the procedure was, while also delivering astounding results, hes now one of many happy patients that recommends LASIK to friends and family. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Whilst European soccer is widely regarded as the best in the world, some of, Football, like any other sport, is highly competitive and physical, Aston Villa is an English Premier League club that has been in existence since, Football is a team sport where different players come together to fight for the, It is unlikely to hear about a football club with the letter x in their name, Goal-Line Technology, otherwise called GLT, is an innovative system introduced, The club owner is one of the most powerful individuals in modern football, After a gruelling football campaign, the 2019/20 Bundesliga season came to an, Without match officials, football games wouldnt go ahead, and besides the, It is quite possible to think that Erling Braut Haaland could only spend six, When considering the worlds weirdest soccer mascots, one immediately came, Hes the second most expensive signing in history, hes the man. The surgery was to nip his avascular necrosis (a condition causing bone death and decay) in the bud. He since has gone on to have a memorable career with his injury troubles behind him. A completely torn ACL cannot heal on its own. Surgery on the anterolateral ligament can be either a tightening procedure or a reconstruction using another graft. The arthroscope is inserted into the knee and delivers saline solution to expand the space around the joint. For example, they can focus on strengthening their leg muscles, increasing their flexibility, and using proper technique when jumping and landing. Anterior cruciate ligament injuries. In research studies, the risk of re-tear ranges from about 2% to 20%, depending on the patients studied. Instead of disrupting the move and ending his career, the Dutchman recovered and was able to win an incredible haul of trophies. The orthopedic surgeon makes small incisions around the knee joint, creating portals of entry for the arthroscope and surgical instruments. Accessed February 2022. But to begin, lets understand the structure of the ACL. People who rupture their ACL have a 8.2 fold greater risk of knee osteoarthritis within 11 years. "A greater emphasis on the recovery time after surgery can help prevent the risk of [an ACL] re-tear from happening," says Yale Medicine orthopaedic surgeon Elizabeth Gardner, MD. The risk of ACL injury is higher than most people realize, especially for young athletes participating in high-impact sports such as football, basketball, soccer, and many other high-intensity sports. Good candidates for ACL surgery are usually young people who play their sport at a high level, and the ACL injury has left their joint unstable. In a testimonial video, he explained that he couldnt read restaurant menus without his glasses. He also enjoyed productive spells at Real Madrid and Malaga later in his career. January 2001. The surgeon will then secure the graft in place with screws. Known for his iconic role as Hagrid in the Harry Potter movie franchise, Coltrane was diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis in one of his knees. Maloney-Shamie Vision Institute. But to achieve a successful outcome, it is critical that the patient have a rehabilitation period that is carefully supervised by an appropriate physical therapist, as well as to have follow-up appointments with the surgeon. In general, it's important to keep your leg elevated, apply a cold wrap or ice to your knee, and rest as much as possible. Go to bed at the same time each night in a cool, dark room, and follow the same pre-sleep routine (brushing your teeth, reading a book, etc.) WebGarrett Richards had a torn elbow ligament and wanted to start surgery right away. Yale Medicine orthopaedic surgeon discusses trends in ACL surgery. Papadakis MA, et al., eds. These 28 celebrities have been open about living with it. Having a hip replacement or preparing for a knee replacement? An ACL injury, which can range from a sprain to a full rupture, is not only painful, but can put an abrupt end to an athletic season. ACL reconstruction is an outpatient (ambulatory) procedure, in which patients can go home on the same day as their surgery. I challenged myself to physical therapy six to seven hours a day.. Basketball legend LeBron James had LASIK in 2007. Filbay SR, et al. However, in the bubble Isaac tore his ACL. Sadly, he passed away the next year from acute liver disease. June 2000. Here, TOP SOCCER BLOG brings you 12 football superstars who suffered the much-dreaded injury. All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. Stating that he suffered from both hip and knee pain, he went on record telling of his hip replacement and even called himself bionic. Sports Medicine, Shoulder and Elbow Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine, Shoulder and Elbow Orthopedic Surgery. WebI tore my acl while playing soccer last month. Here, you can also learn about related knee conditions. The rehabilitation process is composed of a progression of exercises: The degree of pain associated with ACL recovery varies and can be addressed successfully with medication. She opted for the treatment after hearing good things about the eye surgery from her agent. Crawford says she always struggled with putting contacts in and taking them out, and her glasses felt more inconvenient to her than helpful. During ACL reconstruction, the torn ligament is removed and replaced with a band of tissue that usually connects muscle to bone (tendon). Arrange for someone to drive you home. ACL reconstruction is surgery to replace a torn anterior cruciate (KROO-she-ate) ligament (ACL) a major ligament in your knee. In the procedure, we use the tendon abovenot belowthe kneecap, she explains. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. The ACL one of two ligaments that crosses the middle of the knee connects your thighbone to your shinbone and helps stabilize your knee joint. Accessed Dec. 1, 2020. Athletes who return to high-level sports may need to continue physical therapy indefinitely to prevent another ACL tear. ACL reconstruction is an outpatient procedure, so you'll be able to go home the same day. Here, we look at a few instances where a player came back stronger than ever. CBS. Spire Manchester Hospital But she wouldn't be the first celebrity to have gone under the knife and deny it. In addition to the concern about re-tears, recent studies have shown that more than half of people who tear their ACL develop knee arthritis five to 10 years after surgery. Barston Lane,
[Before LASIK] I didnt see blue, I mustve seen blu-h. I didnt see green, I saw gre-h, he said. 60th ed. In an interview with Howard Stern, he joked, I got a double hip replacement, and now Im twice as hip as I used to be. Billy Joel cited the cause of his hip problems as years of bouncing around on stage. Choosing the right surgical option for an ACL tear from the start can have lifelong implications, and it is critical to get ACL surgery right the first time. Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Pivot shift test: The patient lies on their back while the doctor lifts their leg and places rotational pressure on the knee. Accessed Dec. 15, 2020. UPMCs orthopedic surgery chair Dr. Freddie Fu, M.D in 2013 and 2015. Have you gotten even more frustrated when you realized that in order to find your glasses, you probably need to be wearing your glasses to see where they are? Accessed February 2022. RuPauls Drag Race judge Michelle Visage shared her recent breast implant removal journey in her film Explant. One of the all-time most recognizable pop stars is Madonna.She has spent decades in the public eye and just had a thread lift operation. Kim Kardashian. Have you ever sat down to read a book or review a document and realized you need your glasses but theyre nowhere to be found? 4th ed. Successful ACL reconstruction paired with focused rehabilitation can usually restore stability and function to your knee. Very soon after surgery, the patient enters a rehabilitation program to restore strength, stability and range of motion to the knee. Believing that theres strength in numbers, why not share a list of familiar faces that have undergone hip or total knee replacements? For a long time, Kidman, who used to consider herself legally blind, simply took off her glasses so she wouldnt have to see or deal with such overwhelming situations. 2. However, for older athletes, a torn ACL can be career-ending. How are the knees boys? Pivoting exercises are started at around five months. In conclusion, its very essential to take care of your ACL. ACL repair is an older technique that involved sewing the torn ACL tissue back together with sutures, rather than rebuilding it with a graft. Kidman says that being able to hold her husband, Keith Urbans, hand during the procedure helped ease her anxiety. However, the data on outcomes is limited, and failure rates for ACL repair appear to be between 5 and 10 times higher than those for ACL reconstruction in people of all ages. In other words, the ACL helps to keep the knee stable and prevents it from hyperextending. The goal before surgery is to reduce pain and swelling, restore your knee's full range of motion, and strengthen muscles. ALAN SHEARER. PeerWell is a digital health company that focuses on helping people throughout their musculoskeletal journey through PreHab and ReHab. Your email address will not be published. On his return to action, he had lost his direct playing style and pace but cleverly changed his style by moving to a deeper role where he flourished. If the bones dont shift, the test is negative. Michelle Visage. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Ending the Opioid Crisis - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. This procedure typically uses a graft, or a piece of tissue, placed in the knee in a minimally invasive surgery that uses small incisions. Mr. Pollard wanted to get back to the field as soon as possible and wanted to receive the best care available. The quick and essentially painless procedure gives those with vision problems a chance to see clearly without glasses or contact lenses. I tell everyone. Some players never regain their form after returning from an ACL injury. While the quad and patella tendons have similar structures, the quad tendon is bigger and thicker. Ryan Gosling Has a Dating History Full of Hollywood's Hottest Starlets Eva replied in a comment on the since-deleted post, Im not sure why Im answering you but here I go. 4. Before we were able to treat ACL tears arthroscopically with a camera, it was common for surgeons to tighten a ligament on the outer side of the knee, says Dr. Gardner. We dont yet know exactly who might benefit most from this procedureit is still being studied, Dr. Gardner says. After ACL surgery on his knee, the PGA all-star Tiger Woods developed arthritis in his knee. For a long time, he actually wore one contact for distance and the other one for reading. He had another surgery the following March after a setback. Ice should be applied for 20-30 minutes at a time, several times a day. Jocelyn, 82, recently reiterated claims that she has never had plastic surgery. WebACL reconstruction is the current standard-of-care surgical treatment for ACL tears. The graft tendon is taken from another part of your knee or from a deceased donor. You may recognize the names of a few other fans of the procedure, including: Screws are used to secure the plugs of bone. ACL injuries most commonly occur during sports that involve sudden stops and changes in direction such as soccer, football, basketball and volleyball. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the UK, affecting more than 9 million people. Maloney-Shamie Vision Institute. https://www.micromedexsolutions.com. Sign up for PeerWell today. Steven Tyler who is the lead singer of the A section of tendon from another part of the patient's body is cut to create a graft, which is then attached at each end to plugs of bone taken from the patella and tibia. Whilst playing for Arsenal in the FA cup in January 2014 against rivals Spurs, Walcott had to be stretchered off after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). WebACL Surgery Recovery Written By: Chloe Wilson, BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy Reviewed by: KPE Medical Review Board ACL surgery recovery aims to strengthen the knee and ensure it regains full stability to allow people to return to Strengthening these muscles can help to prevent further injury and improve knee stability. Actor William Shatner, who played Captain Kirk on Star Trek, is like many adults who struggle with both nearsightedness and farsightedness. Before you go home, you'll practice walking with crutches, and your surgeon may ask you to wear a knee brace or splint to help protect the graft. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the key ligaments that help stabilize the knee joint. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to control swelling and pain after surgery. Nicole Kidman tells it like it is. Russell F. Warren, MD looks back at how the understanding, prevention, and treatment of ACL injuries has changed over the last three decades. When Peterson tore his ACL he probably wondered whether hed lost his key assets. He describes his experience in one word: gratitude.. Read more about ACL injuries and ACL surgery, including ways to avoid tearing your ACL. PRP is non-invasive and requires little to no down-time, so it is an ideal option. Meloxicam. This option is often most successful when started soon after the injury occurs. And it is located above the knee, rather than on the front of it, she says. These injuries often require surgery, as well as ample recovery time. And when he was winding down for bed, hed pick up a book to read but couldnt start because he didnt know where his glasses were. Kourtney Kardashian also dyed her hair amid Travis Barker's How does ACL reconstruction surgery work? Knee Arthroscopy for ACL Reconstruction, Meniscal Repair, and Other Knee Problems, ACL Injuries: Partial and Complete Tears of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament, ACL Tears: MRI Reveals Long-Term Osteoarthritis Impact, Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries Then and Now, Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Injuries of the Knee. Dr. Tearing or rupturing the ACL is every footballers worst nightmare. Today, ACL repair has been modernized and can be performed through a minimally invasive approach. The star quarterback is commonly referred to as the greatest player of all time. Beginning in the early 2000s, Gloria Gaynor found it difficult to move around on stage while on tour, saying I started feeling uncomfortable all the time. To combat her severe osteoarthritis and pain, she had a knee replacement in 2009 at age 60. Why? 4 Serious Favourites to Clinch the Bundesliga Title This Season, Reasons Why Some Footballers Wear Face Masks. Follow your surgeon's advice on when to ice your knee, how long to use crutches and when it's safe to bear weight on your knee. Whether youre tired of the hassle of glasses and contacts, or if you want to improve your performance on the court or field without them, you too can find positivity in refractive surgery. Caitlyn Jenner has lived with osteoarthritis for over twenty years. This injury occurred during the 2008 season when Brady was hit low by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker. It is made up of the bones of the thigh, the shin, and the knee cap, as well as a number of ligaments that connect these bones and hold them in place. I was highly active and played basketball recreationally as well as lifted weights 5-6 days a week. In keeping with the rockstar/hip replacement theme, we have frontman of Journey (original voice behind the karaoke classic, Dont Stop Believin is), Steve Perry. And if so, how was that? Accessed February 2022. Heres the story of her journey from ACL injury to a full ACL recovery. You will feel tired for several days. So just like his contact lens prescription, he had one eye corrected for distance vision and one corrected for near vision (reading distance). Unlike where Im from, everything was in place the day of surgery, Mr. Pollard said of Dr. Fus professionalism. Drew Barrymore While countless women wish for larger breasts, Drew Barrymore desperately wanted smaller ones. Clocking in at age 61 today, Van Halen underwent the procedure at just 44 years young. Instead, he returned victoriously thanks to an ACL reconstruction and his supreme talent. Jane Fonda had had more than cosmetic surgery to keep her feeling young. John Ross Came Back a Monster After His Torn ACL John Ross came to the University of Washington as a four-star recruit with a reputation for supersonic speed. If you regularly take blood-thinning medications, your doctor may ask you to stop taking these types of drugs for at least a week before surgery to reduce your risk of bleeding. In 1974, at age 67 Katharine underwent a secret hip replacement. Use of the quadriceps tendon can be especially beneficial to younger patients and those who play sports that require impact on the front of the knee, such as volleyball or wrestling, Dr. Gardner says. Frontera WR, et al., eds. A torn meniscus will cause knee pain and, sometimes, swelling. If you need more information about ACL reconstruction surgery, give us a call today. The former first lady had her hip done in 1997 at age 72 at the Mayo Clinic Rochester in Minnesota. Keanes ACL injury ensured that he missed a large part of the 1997/98 season. Keagen Hadley is a Doctor of Occupational Therapy, a psychiatric and neurological clinical researcher, and an Amazon Bestselling author, who specializes in using psychological treatments such as ACT with clients. These are some of the concerns that actor Dennis Quaid had before getting LASIK. By all accounts, Van Halens 17-year-old replacement is still kicking it. WebJane Fonda had had more than cosmetic surgery to keep her feeling young. One potential reason for the high re-tear rate is that there are some patients whose genetics or mechanics predispose them to re-injury, which commonly occurs with another rotational movement to the knee. This is a frightening finding, considering many ACL tears are treated in the teens and twenties of young athletes. October 2019. He returned in emphatic fashion though, breaking and setting record after record while going on to become the highest goal scorer in Premier league history with 260 goals. A thread lift is a minimally invasive surgery that tightens and lifts Hollywood has had success with American actress, director, She has also urged others to take the surgery into consideration if they are searching for a non-invasive treatment. I was wondering if any of you regained the old form you had in soccer before your ACL injury. While the reasons for this are not fully understood or at least concrete in all cases, some experts believe that it may be due to differences in hormones, muscle strength, and ligament flexibility. In 1998, Del Piero suffered an ACL injury at the peak of his career. It is performed arthroscopically and results in a near anatomic ACL reconstruction with a very high rate of return to play. The injury changed the course of his life. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. There are non-invasive options to knee replacement, like the PRP injection for knee pain Tiger Woods benefited from receiving. As ACL injuries most commonly occur during sports Eventually, she decided to have her severe nearsightedness corrected with LASIK surgery. Other risks associated with ACL reconstruction include: Before your surgery, you'll likely undergo several weeks of physical therapy. The MRI showed that he had indeed torn his ACL and also suffered other damage to his knee. He had another surgery the following March after a setback. She confessed that without her glasses, she even had trouble telling apart her Friends co-stars, Jennifer Anniston and Lisa Kudrow (the two have completely different hair colors). Michael Douglas is best known for his starring role in Fatal Attraction, and his father, Kirk Douglas, will always be known as Spartacus. Hollywood icon, Elizabeth Taylor, was in a league of her own in many ways and her lifetime total number of hip replacements is no different. WebSimilar to Baron Davis, Kyle Lowry suffered a torn ACL during his college career and still went on to excel in the NBA. Barn House,
Once the ligament is torn, many times the knee joint is no longer as stable as it once was. LA Clippers All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard underwent successful surgery on Tuesday to repair a partial tear of the ACL in his right knee, the team announced. 2019; doi:10.1016/j.berh.2019.01.018. When ACL surgery fails, surgeons must do a revision surgery (a second operation) to fix any problems that were not successfully addressed the first time. ACL reconstruction is an outpatient surgery that's performed by a doctor who specializes in surgical procedures of the bones and joints (orthopedic surgeon). Klay Thompson, a shooting guard for the Golden State Warriors, suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during the 2019 finals. Later that year, at age 65 Tyler took the plunge and underwent a total knee replacement. But the famous father and son have more in common than Hollywood box office success; they have both undergone knee replacement surgery. On his return, he showed just how much an athlete can recover from the surgery. It's most commonly torn during sports that involve sudden stops and changes in direction such as basketball, soccer, tennis and volleyball. Also, can anyone please give me tips of how to avoid injuries after my ACL surgery? However, Mr. Pollard suffered yet another ACL injury, this time to his right knee, in late November 2015 at the Cape Cobras Ram Slam T20 Challenge, this one potentially career-ending. Morgan tore the ACL in his right knee on Nov. 12 at UCLA. In 2003 at age 73, the man behind songs like Georgia on my Mind and Hit the Road Jack, had a total hip replacement. Drafted in 2010, he quickly rose to international acclaim. I was wondering if any of you regained the old form you had in soccer before your ACL injury. For more information, talk to your eye doctor. Anterior cruciate ligament sprain. Maloney-Shamie Vision Institute. This procedure, called ACL reconstruction, is the current standard of care for surgically treating a torn ACL. Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. When an athlete tears their ACL, the effects can be devastating. The physical pain and frustration of being sidelined can be difficult to cope with, and many athletes feel hopeless about their future. Return to playing competitive sports can begin as early as six months. WebAnterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery replaces the damaged ligament with a new ligament called a graft. Like Shaq, his extreme height likely caused his osteoarthritis, which he has battled since he was thirteen.