An ACL victim’s journey back from the abyss of this dreaded sports injury

In the realm of sports – basketball in particular – nothing strikes more fear into the hearts of basketball players than these four words: anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. And for some of Cebu collegiate basketball’s finest such as Ian Ortega of the University of San Carlos and Vincent Mendoza of the University of the Visayas, it was a nightmare that they both had to endure and overcome in order to press play on their paused basketball careers.

For Ortega, the physical hurt was compounded by the emotional scar of utter helplessness as he sat and watched as his teammates battled but eventually crumbled to the Southwestern University Cobras in last year’s Cesafi finals.

“Of course, I was really sad and angry at myself because we were playing in the finals and I wasn’t there,” shared Ortega of the unfortunate incident that occurred right before the finals last year.

“Kapoy kaayo!  Everyday doing exercises and lifting weights. Plus coach Neil Villarosa really pushed me to the limit,” said the budding two-guard of his experience rehabbing the injured knee.

According to the US National Library of Medicine, an ACL injury is the over-stretching or tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee. A tear may be partial or complete. Surgery is a necessity when it comes to injury of this nature but the real test comes during the rehabilitation process and even beyond that, said renowned Cebuano rehabilitation medicine specialist, Dr. Timothy Rhoel Dejano.

“It’s really hard to come back from an ACL injury especially if you are a competitive athlete. Not only does the physical injury greatly alter the athlete’s life but more so is the psychological impact of the injury to the athlete. The fear of not being able to return to the sport is something that most or all athletes are wary of,” explained Dejano, the Cesafi’s foremost physician.

But as the saying goes, every dark cloud has a lining. And Ortega claims that he has become a better player because of the painful setback.

“I think it really helped me mature as a player. I’m taking our conditioning practice really serious now.

It helped me understand the game just by watching and learning from all those times I was sitting on the sidelines,” the youngster said.

Dejano also lauded both Ortega and Mendoza for their efforts to get back on the court. It was by no means an easy road to walk on, shared the affable doctor.

“It was hard for both of them as they are varsity players. The fear of not being able to play again was what worried them most. This was more so with the case of Ian Ortega as his injury happened during the start of last year’s finals. Both definitely felt depressed after sustaining their injuries. The positive side with the two of them was they were really diligent with their rehab so in less than a year’s  time, they are now back playing in the Cesafi.”

Such is the life of an athlete: one moment you’re flying high, the next you’re down and out. Ortega has certainly learned from this ordeal as he shares this significant piece of advice to athletes especially those who are going through an injury.

“Never take things for granted. There is no other way than up after a serious injury.”