Not Another Derrick Rose
Why this is unhelpful:
Comparing ACL injuries and surgery/recovery: every case is different. By overemphasizing one athlete or another's recovery, one can inadvertently set unrealistic standards for the patient.
More than anything, it's important to be able to speak honestly and openly not only about the injury and rehab, but how it affects
one mentally. The stories of Derrick Rose and NFL athletes that return after five months of intense rehab set completely unrealistic standards to which patients begin comparing themselves. Each recovery is distinctly different in its circumstance, choice of graft, quality of surgeon, and adherence to rehabilitation, and the cases should not be compared.
This can also lead to early-onset stages of post-injury anxiety within athletes, the feeling of not being "where I'm supposed to be," as if their recovery is not on scale with everyone else. This can foster and facilitate the feelings of depression.
Rates of re-injury, which patients are most familiar with, almost quadruple after an initial ACL tear. By encouraging patients to look at these professional athletes as role models, patients are subconsciously encouraged to return to their previous level of play and sport before they are physically ready--this increases the likelihood of ACL stretching and possible re-rupturing. Patients need to develop a recovery schedule uniquely catered to them, without the expectations many tag along with this.
Comparing ACL injuries and surgery/recovery: every case is different. By overemphasizing one athlete or another's recovery, one can inadvertently set unrealistic standards for the patient.
More than anything, it's important to be able to speak honestly and openly not only about the injury and rehab, but how it affects
one mentally. The stories of Derrick Rose and NFL athletes that return after five months of intense rehab set completely unrealistic standards to which patients begin comparing themselves. Each recovery is distinctly different in its circumstance, choice of graft, quality of surgeon, and adherence to rehabilitation, and the cases should not be compared.
This can also lead to early-onset stages of post-injury anxiety within athletes, the feeling of not being "where I'm supposed to be," as if their recovery is not on scale with everyone else. This can foster and facilitate the feelings of depression.
Rates of re-injury, which patients are most familiar with, almost quadruple after an initial ACL tear. By encouraging patients to look at these professional athletes as role models, patients are subconsciously encouraged to return to their previous level of play and sport before they are physically ready--this increases the likelihood of ACL stretching and possible re-rupturing. Patients need to develop a recovery schedule uniquely catered to them, without the expectations many tag along with this.