Adrian Peterson: Torn ACL was the worst pain ever

Adrian Peterson reflects on tearing his ACL in 2011 and the highs and lows of his incredible recovery

Episode debuted nationwide in 2016.

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[supanova]

One thing athletes don’t get enough credit for is the rehab they put in after devastating injuries. Imagine the psychological grind to stay positive and just work with the singular focus of getting back to pre injury. It’s not that I didn’t know the work but listening to AD talk about the emotional state of the rehab is pretty amazing. Football players especially put it on the line. It’s pretty incredible.

[djrolln]

I'm 3 weeks after ACL surgery. Tore it 2 months ago. The tears hurts but you don't know what pain is till you go through physical therapy after ACL surgery.

[mendealingwithreality]

It’s like everyone on here tore they shit, I am self-conscious of my ACL when I jump from the stairs, play ball etc.., no I don’t have a ‘torn’ one but it’s scary to see

[kthomas]

For me, the pain from the tear didn’t kick on until I sat down and my adrenaline wore off (tore it during a football game). The pain wasn’t too bad but my knee was EXTREMELY loose, I felt it dangling and I hated the feeling. After surgery was the real pain. I had to take two Vicodin every 6 hours through my recovery process until I didn’t need them anymore & I missed one that every 6 hour mark one time & never missed it again because that was enough pain to have you in TEARS. The physical therapy was the worst part because you work like crazy just to make a a little progress little by little. It isn’t something you can just ice and have it healed up in two - three weeks, it’s something that took 10 months for me

[dantarad]

I’ve torn my acl and meniscus in the same knee twice and it has to be the worst pain I’ve ever felt

[aylagrahame]

When I ruptured my acl and tore my meniscus, I was in a lot of pain with an ice pack on it for 20 mins, then the pain went away I got up and started walking, and my brother was laughing and saying I'm an attention seeker, I just laughed because I was in no pain so I felt good, but then little did I know a few minutes later my leg gave way and I fell on the concrete in pain, falling over on the concrete after it happened hurt the most

[larryhoover]

I'm on week 2. I feel you AP. I've been positive about this but this week has really wore on me. the pain, is no joke

[petergeyer]

My daughter plays pro ice hockey in Europe, and tore her ACL a month ago tomorrow. She didn’t think anything was wrong with her, and was yelling at the paramedics to let her return to the game as they were stretchering her off the ice. She had surgery about 10 days later, and is now 2.5 weeks into recovery. She said the injury itself wasn’t so painful, but removing the drainage catheter from her knee the day following surgery was the worst pain she’s ever felt. Bigger than the physical pain is the mental strain of not knowing when she’ll be able to play again. It’s not an injury I would wish on my worst enemy.

[marvinstheman]

Yeah, it hurts, but to me, the mental toll was worse. It took me over a year to trust my knee enough to put solid weight on it and actually run again. Every time you feel it wiggle a bit, there's that sinking feeling that it's going to "go" again. I trusted the therapists, and could really push myself with them, but rehabbing by myself was scary. Also, having to learn how to move your leg again post-surgery was a trip.

[JayBee]

Ive done my acl and had surgery. I’m 5 weeks post surgery now. It has its days. But it’s nothing unbearable. I’m back walking and doing bodyweight squats. It’s all in the mind

[EatSleepIceHockey]

Having surgery tomorrow. Tore mine playing hockey. Any advice or positivity is certainly appreciated

[mareq]

I drove in with my left tried to stop to do a fadeaway my right leg slipped and my knee went inwards and popped out quickly and went right back into place. It was unbearable pain. But being the fool i am i thought maybe it was just like my ankle sprain so i got up limping to play defense. When we got the ball back on offense i faked to the left and went right and my leg gave out. Couldnt believe it like it wasnt even there, it felt it was wobbling. I just dropped and the same pain came back. I knew right away things werent right. Ended up a full ACL tear as well as my meniscus. Just did surgery a week ago. One thing u come to realize quickly is if u are not prepared mentally to overcome the burdens of this surgery it'll be very hard to get back to the way you were before.

[zach]

I had surgery 3 weeks ago started therapy last week I’m already able to put full weight and walk without my brace no pain. I have almost full range of motion. So far I feel good.

[vanessarenee]

The worst is trying to stand right after the injury and the feeling of your knee sliding the opposite direction is so disturbing and gross. After the injury for about 2 weeks when I would lay on my side I felt like my knee was falling out the side

[ManOnAMission]

It starts with your heel. If you step wrong or put too much weight on your leg, it weakens it for a split second. It’s that split second where you cut into a running lane or past a defender (basketball) that seals the deal. I remember when I tore mine, any hip movement would cause it to snap and swell up until the surgery

[khaledacmilan]

If this man complained about the pain so man ! am doing great. 1 week after the surgery.

[franciscoortiz]

Dam, makes me respect Kobe staying to hit the free throws even more

[Arnone]

In all honesty I tore my ACL on Sep 17, 2016 and I got Surgery on Feb 3, 2017 The Initial tear didn't hurt at all, The only time it hurt was when I would run and id feel instability. Post OP didn't hurt that bad at all, I was prescribed Oxycontin and I never even touched it, Keep in mind I had a catheter in my leg so it could numb the pain a bit, I used the Patella Tendon Graft because I still play football. After the first week and a half i was walking and by the 4th week after post op I had most if not all range of motion back. I got my surgery done at Children's hospital Los Angeles I was 15 when i tore it and 16 when the surgery took place.

[TredWilliamGMason]

On my 8th month of recovery I still don't feel the same :( hoping to get to play ball soon! Pain is not being back to sport! mental health is worrisome for this injury I could say I fell into a deep depression afterwards.
I already have some depression issues so this and my ex gf slowly losing her attraction to me because she thinks I was being a baby is probably the worst.

[workoutkingshamar]

Still haven’t boxed since I messed mine up 😕