A torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ended the season for Junior Sydney Carlier.
The ACL is one of the four major ligaments of the knee joint which coordinates function and promotes stability of the knee. The ACL provides roughly 90 percent of stability for the knee joint
Along with tearing her ACL, Carlier damaged her medical collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL).
The MCL is also one of the four major ligaments that keeps the knee from wobbling while moving. The LCL connects from the top of the fibula to the outside of the lower thigh bone. It is responsible for keeping the outer side of the knee joint stable.
“I tried to slow down while running because there were people in the way of the track, but I couldn’t so I fell down,” said Carlier.
Carlier was practicing her handoffs with her 4×100 track team, and was sprinting around a turn when people were standing in her way.
Typically ACL injuries occur during non-contact events. The ACL is usually injured during decelerating, stopping suddenly, twisting, cutting, or jumping.
In order to get better Carlier has to do a few months of physical therapy before her surgery to have a successful recovery.
ACL reconstruction surgery uses grafts to help replace the torn ligament. Most commonly grafts are autografts using part of the patient’s own body tendon in the kneecap or hamstring. It is also possible to use a graft from a donor.
After surgery it will take Carlier a full nine months to recover completely.
“I am disappointed that I cannot run this season, but I want to remain a part of the team by attempting shot put or discus,” said Carlier.
It is most common for an ACL to get torn in agility sports like basketball, soccer, skiing, and football. Though, it is still common for non-contact athletes to experience the injury.
“Getting injuries is just a part of being an athlete and its just especially unfortunate when the injury takes you out for an entire season. You have to stay optimistic and keep a positive attitude, and keep training the parts of your body that are still healthy,” said Carlier.
