Mercy's Dr. John-Paul Rue Discusses Playing Sports After ACL Injury
September 21, 2020
The ACL is a key ligament that helps stabilize the knee. It's typically torn during contact sports or sports with a lot of stopping and starting, which are tough on the knees.
A torn ACL usually requires surgery. The most common question from injured athletes is when they can return to playing sports. According to board certified orthopedic sports medicine surgeon Dr. John-Paul Rue, in an ideal world, it takes one year.
"Waiting at least nine months after surgery significantly decreases your risk of re-injury of that knee. Most athletes are ready somewhere in the six-month time frame, but there's a significant component of strength endurance and also a psychological component to returning to sports," Rue said.
Studies show ACL re-injury is about seven times higher in athletes who return to knee-strenuous sports in less than nine months.
To view Mercy’s Dr. John-Paul Rue’s interview regarding ACL injury and returning to sports, click here.
About Mercy
Founded in 1874 in Downtown Baltimore by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Medical Center is a 183-licensed bed, acute care, university-affiliated teaching hospital. Mercy has been recognized as a high-performing Maryland hospital (U.S. News & World Report); has achieved an overall 5-Star quality, safety, and patient experience rating (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services); is A-rated for Hospital Safety (Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade); and is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet™ hospital. Mercy Health Services is a not-for-profit health system and the parent company of Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Personal Physicians.
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