Vithiya Kumar

Today marks ONE MONTH since I last walked and 20 DAYS since my surgery - ACL Reconstruction (using my own hamstring graft) and a Meniscus Repair with 10 stitches.

I got the shock of my life when I saw my MRI – I literally didn’t have an ACL. It literally shredded and dissolved. My knee snapped in the early hours of 3rd Oct, resulting in a severe bucket-handle Meniscus tear where a fragment of it flipped and lodged itself right in the centre of where my ACL was supposed to be, essentially locking my knee.

Honestly, I still cannot believe I participated in so many intense physical activities — playing various sports, gym-med, ran 10KM races and half marathons, danced in competitions and so much more without a freaking ACL! Holy shit.

This whole ordeal started because a bitch deliberately crashed into my knee during a floorball game to stop me from scoring goals. To this day, she has never apologised or taken responsibility—passing off a selfish, reckless act as "defense." Only I know the physical pain, the tears, the sacrifices, the holding back and humiliation of living with a knee that had limitations.

BUT, if I could actively play sports, gym, run marathons, dance and etc without an ACL, I'm damn sure I will strive to hit my pre-injury form with a newly reconstructed ACL using my very own hamstring graft.

It's easy to sound positive, but ACL-ers know that real recovery is more of a mental battle than the physical one. Relearning how to walk again, regaining full range of motion, rebuilding strength and eventually passing those strength tests will take time, patience and A LOT of hard work.

I'm going into this journey with humility and endurance. I may be in the trenches now, but I know I won't remain here. DOWN, BUT NOT DEFEATED.

Here's a 2-minute-ish video of my journey thus far.

To everyone who visited me in the hospital and at home, and to those who keep checking in on me — THANK YOU. Your love and support mean more than you know ❤️🙏

#acl #aclrecovery #surgery #fyp