Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries aren’t career- ending, but recovery could be a yearlong process, according to Olive Harvey College’s head athletic trainer, Richard Staier.
“Six months is usually the average,” Staiert said.
“It can change from individual to individual. … Usually it's six months to return to participation, but the healing process takes up to a year.”
Staiert has been an athletic trainer since 2000. And he has served at other colleges and a few high schools. When it comes to sports injuries, Staiert says he's seen it all.
“I have seen plenty of ACL injuries, MCL injuries, … shoulder dislocations, … pelvic injuries, Tommy John injury, you name it,” Staiert said.
According to Staiert, there’s a process to diagnosing an ACL injury and steps to follow for recovery. First he does his evaluations and immediately removes the player from competition if he thinks the ACL is torn, he said. Next the player gets referred to a team physician and the physician makes the final decision about surgery, he said. Then it’s off to a 6- to 8-month rehabilitation process, Staiert said.
With Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, and the Chicago’s Bulls’ guard Derrick Rose currently returning from an ACL injury, Staiert said there’s no comparison in those players injuries.
“It can change from individual to individual. … Usually it's six months to return to participation, but the healing process takes up to a year.”
Staiert has been an athletic trainer since 2000. And he has served at other colleges and a few high schools. When it comes to sports injuries, Staiert says he's seen it all.
“I have seen plenty of ACL injuries, MCL injuries, … shoulder dislocations, … pelvic injuries, Tommy John injury, you name it,” Staiert said.
According to Staiert, there’s a process to diagnosing an ACL injury and steps to follow for recovery. First he does his evaluations and immediately removes the player from competition if he thinks the ACL is torn, he said. Next the player gets referred to a team physician and the physician makes the final decision about surgery, he said. Then it’s off to a 6- to 8-month rehabilitation process, Staiert said.
With Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, and the Chicago’s Bulls’ guard Derrick Rose currently returning from an ACL injury, Staiert said there’s no comparison in those players injuries.
“They’re totally different, cause it depends on the individual,” Staiert said.
Peterson came back quickly from an ACL injury and rushed for more than2000 yards. But Rose needed more time because of mental reasons, Staiert said.
“It depends on the individual. It depends on their mental aspect at that time, where they’re sitting at,” Staiert said.
For those fans who criticize players for taking longer than expected to return from an injury of this magnitude, Staiert said it’s not only a physical recovery that takes place but a mental one.
Peterson came back quickly from an ACL injury and rushed for more than2000 yards. But Rose needed more time because of mental reasons, Staiert said.
“It depends on the individual. It depends on their mental aspect at that time, where they’re sitting at,” Staiert said.
For those fans who criticize players for taking longer than expected to return from an injury of this magnitude, Staiert said it’s not only a physical recovery that takes place but a mental one.
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