Blog

Q & A: Two Former Student-Athletes- Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury  

Q: Recall the moment you injured your ACL 

Conley: I was on the attacking side of things, and we were completing a crossing and finishing drill. I remember the ball being played far out of bounds, and my coach wanted me to continue playing. With an outstretched leg, in an attempt to cut the ball back (at full speed), my knee hyperextended.

Randle: It was during a one vs. one shooting drill. As I planted my right knee to shoot the ball with my left foot, I felt my right knee pop. 

Q: In the moment, did you suspect it to be your ACL?

Conley: At first, I thought little of it, suspecting it was a slight hyperextension of my knee. As I tried to walk it off, I fell to the ground. 

Randle: I felt a pop, so I suspected it was probably my ACL. Following my athletic trainer’s knee examination, there was still some uncertainty because my pain was diffuse. 

Q: How did you process the words, ‘ You will need surgery’? 

Conley: Weirdly, it was a shock, and I hadn’t come to terms. With very little knowledge about ACL injuries and my limited exposure to people around me experiencing this injury, I downplayed it. It wasn’t until my surgery that it “hit me like a wall”. 

Randle: My initial thought was that my freshman career was over, and I probably wouldn’t play again. I worked so hard during the preseason, so ending my season like that was tough. 

Q: In hindsight, anything you wish you knew going into surgery? 

Conley: I wish I knew about the things to do before surgery — particularly to maintain my muscle strength — to make for a smoother recovery.

Randle: How awful the rehab could be, and the chronic pain I would experience years later.

Q: What were some challenges during your rehab?

Conley: The whole rehab process, for me, was mostly a mental battle. Once it was time to return to the pitch, I was doubtful, questioning whether I was ready. I did a lot of self-talk, encouraging myself. For the physical aspect, it was painful doing the exercises to help straighten my knee — and when the trainer pushed down on my knee, trying to improve my motion. 

Randle: I came back with improved leg strength, but the mental aspect was challenging. After returning to the pitch, it wasn’t until three months, I was comfortable doing the drills. Notably, the thought of going into tackles or shooting was terrifying for me sometimes. I was terrified of going into tackles or shooting. 

Q: Who were some of your biggest supporters? 

Conley: My support came from my teammate and best friend (Brittanee Randle). We both tore our ACL during the same season, so we leaned on one another. Tara, our athletic trainer (AKA Mom), was always there whenever we were feeling down — and then my family.

Randle: My best friend (Brit Conley) and my (then) boyfriend tore their ACL the same season, so doing the rehab together helped. My athletic trainer and teammates have also uplifted me. 

Q: There are physical challenges this injury brings. But how did it impact you mentally? 

Conley: I think our team dynamic was good. Non one cast me out because of my injury. I felt a subconscious pressure when returning to the field. I felt if I made one mistake or didn’t go into a tackle strong, I didn’t deserve my position. That self-doubt caused my level of play to decrease.

Randle: The injury itself messed me up a lot mentally – I went from being a star athlete playing every game to barely playing, which I had never done before. That was hard. When I came back, I never felt good enough.

Q: Some athletes fear re-tearing their ACL. Did you have those fears? If so, how did you overcome them? 

Conley: It took me around a year to return to full activity. Once cleared, I thought it would injure it again. My doctor told me my knee strength was better than before, so I knew my thoughts weren’t logical. I was hesitant to go into tackles. It got to a point where I had to stop and tell myself not to overthink things, telling myself to ‘just shut up and just go.’

Randle: It took nearly nine months to return to full activity. I had the irrational fear of the drill that resulted in my torn ACL. For months, I would cry every time I completed the soccer activity. After I got over that drill, I was more afraid about failing and not coming back than actually re-tearing it.

Q: What tip tips do you have for a student-athlete facing an ACL injury….

Conley:

• • Talk about it: Reach out to others who have gone through the injury. Everyone has a different recovery. Try to get different perspectives on what to expect with the recovery.
  • Don’t be hard on yourself
  • Trust the process: Do what your trainer or doctor tells you to do to get back to the field. And try not to get in the habit of just going through the motions, be engaged.

Randle:

• • Take care of your body: Apart from your rehab, make sure you keep good habits, such as getting the appropriate amount of sleep and good nutrition
  • Surround yourself with positive people: Much of this injury can impact your mental health — keeping the right mindset will help during challenging moments.
  • Persevere: Work hard and take your rehab seriously so you can return to your sport.

Q: In your life after sports, does your knee bother you? 

Conley: My ACL, itself, feels great. My biggest complaint is silly – still, the area around my scar is numb. The weird numb feeling feels like an itch causing me to scratch for a good five minutes.

Randle: Since my knee injury, I am aware of the surface, distance, and the types of shoes when I run. The longest I run is two to three miles. Even after seven years, if I run for long distances, my leg is as big as a cantaloupe. When the weather is chilly, it takes a little more time to get out of bed in the morning- especially after a long 12-hour shift.

 Q: How has your ACL reconstruction shaped the way you view life?

Conley: Being a freshman, not yet knowing who I was at the time, I felt it set me back in my development as a woman. Having a sport that was part of my identity stripped away was hard. The injury showed me the importance of asking for help and reaching out to others. My support system not only comforted me during hardships but celebrate my wins.

Randle: My ACL injury was one of the reasons I became a nurse. I wanted to empower children to advocate and take control of their health. Just thinking back of difficult it was to lift my leg and the encouragement I received from staff, I am always taking extra time to help my patients.