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Question:
I am 14. I WAS an elite runner and great soccer player. That WAS my life, until it happened. I tore my ACL COMPLETELY, and also partily tore my MCL, and LCL, in one fall. I'm not done growing, so i couldn't have surgery. The DOCTOR TOLD ME I COULD NOT PLAY SOCCER FOR THREE YEARS, or play tag, ice skate, play basketball, hockey, or even take gym. I can ONLY SWIM, BIKE, and RUN in a straight line. I need to brake it to my soccer coach today i can't play anymore. I don't know what to do. It makes me sick when I think how my life would have gone if i could do as i did. I am crying now.
Question submitted by:
Strawberry824@aol.com
| Dr. Golden |
Dr. Golden is an orthopedic surgeon and the author of the "Knee Pain" chapter in the upcoming "Manual of Pain Management". He has presented numerous scientific studies at orthopedic conferences. In addition, Dr. Golden is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS),the American Medical Association (AMA), and the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA).
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Answer:
I'm sorry to hear of your injury. The ligament damage you describe can be surgically fixed. Some surgeons have different theories about when is the optimal time to have the surgery. Perhaps asking your doctor if there is another option to the timing of your surgery may be appropriate. Or perhaps a referral for a second opinion. Each person is different, but the amount of growth remaining may be very little for some 14 year olds and a longer time for others. There are x-ray tests that can help determine how much more growth remains. Some surgeons, in fact, do not wait until growth is completed, depending on the severity of the injury. Your doctor worries about disrupting the growth plate in the knee is the surgery is performed on very young bone. You and your parents should talk to your surgeon and discuss the details and options carefully.
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