ACL Surgery & Rehab: Jaylen's Journey Part 2

For 16-year-old lacrosse star Jaylen Rosga, when the day finally arrived to have surgery on her ACL, MCL and meniscus, she only felt relief.

“I remember I just had this smile on my face,” Rosga said. “I said, ‘You know what? I have to be positive.’”

While surgeries can seem scary or intimidating, Rosga found the whole process to be simple and smooth at TCO.

“Going into surgery, it’s kind of a breeze,” Rosga said. “Every one you meet is super nice. You get shots and needles, it’s not that bad. The surgery itself feels like a blink of an eye.”

Reality set in for Rosga, though, after waking up from the procedure.

“You’re exhausted,” Rosga said. “The loopy, funny feeling wears off, and it’s like, ‘Okay, this is what we have to deal with. This is reality.’”

As soon as Rosga returned home, the biggest adjustment began.

“The first week after surgery is hell. It really is,” Rosga said. “I lived on the couch for four days because I couldn’t get upstairs to my room. You feel kind of useless and worthless because you rely on your parents so much.”

As an athlete, though, Rosga was determined to put on a tough exterior.

“I was not okay, but as soon as someone asked, I’d put a smile on my face,” Rosga said. “I never wanted to show how I was really feeling.”

Though things were tough early on for Rosga, having a physical therapist like Jill Monson made a huge difference.

“(Jill) was probably what got me through the first four weeks,” Rosga said. “She definitely helped me with the mental side of it and would give me tips. Not just on my knee, but advice on how I was feeling in general. She would say, ‘You know what? When it’s pain, pain is good.’”

Within four weeks post-surgery, Rosga began to see some strides and improvements.

“I would definitely say, the little wins you have to value so much,” Rosga said. “Week by week in PT, we would have different markers. Finally, you start to get these big jumps. It’s emotional.”

#ACLSurgery #ACLRecovery #ACLRehab

After about seven weeks post-surgery, Rosga was able to ditch the crutches and begin the next phase of her recovery at Training HAUS, powered by TCO.

“You start to do things where you’re like, ‘Wait, my knee can take that?’” Rosga said.

At just eight weeks removed from surgery, Rosga’s progress has been impressive, but she knows it’s still very early in her recovery.

“I still have a ways to go,” Rosga said. “But I will say, this whole journey and reflecting back on what has happened, it has taught me so many life lessons. It has also taught me so much about myself that I don’t think I would have known without this injury.”

Look for Part 3 of Jaylen’s Journey coming summer 2020

[daifromdasouth]

This really helped me . I had this surgery a month ago and i watched this before i had it. At two weeks i got off crutches, at 3 weeks i was driving and out of my brace and now its been a month and im exercising . If your reading this and are in fear of the surgery dont be everybodys recovery is different just be strong !

[stephengriffin]

I just had the same surgery, I cant even lift my leg 2 inches, the pain is unbelievable, looking through these videos gives me hope, thanks

[ItAintSimple]

I had this surgery 6 years ago. Kinda felt like I relived the experience again with this video. So truthful. I will say my knee feels better than ever. Physical therapy is important. You must give it your all. There's going to be a moment when you realize dang I gotta learn how to walk again, but best believe you will have the utmost respect for being able to use your legs. Life without use of your legs is difficult. Mad respect for those who don't have that opportunity anymore. Good luck to anybody going into or coming out of surgery. The first week sucked not going to lie. It ultimately gets better. So stay strong.

[u]

I just had my acl/lcl surgery yesterday and want to share my experience. Before the op I was watching so many youtube videos to mentally prepare for whats to come. I’m back home today and I can honestly say the pain is not as bad as I expected. My consultant injected anaesthetic in my leg post op yesterday which gave me a good nights sleep. It’s worn off today and there is some slight discomfort but nothing major. I appreciate we all have different thresholds and recovery times but just want to share my experience so far with anyone who has the op coming up. Good luck all!

[yousefal-nassar]

Great job Jaylen! Its been 3 weeks 4 days since my surgery, I can walk for short distances but still have my crutches, feeling the progress makes us all smile with releif, I totally get you!
And yeah, first week is always hell lol!

[ryanrodriguez]

Got surgery last week and I'm starting PT tomorrow. Anyone else going through it, I'm there with you 💪

[comfortchagona]

Your video has been my motivation for two months now.It's nice to feel that you're not alone and you gave me hope.I had the same surgery that you had, today I got off crutches and it feels so good.Thank you so much for your video it's my motivation.

[SantownRep]

Just finished my surgery today, I’m
in pain but please believe, I will overcome! Thanks for the video!

[mintybaguettes]

I had surgery a little over 2 months ago. If anyone who is reading this is nervous about surgery, I’ll tell you a little bit about my experience with it.
Before they wheeled me off the to operation room, they gave me some kind of medicine that relaxes your brain, and it works VERY well. I remember the relief I was in after they gave it to me. Once they give you the anestesia, it feels like you blinked and surgery is over. I was in the operating room for about 3 hours, and it felt like one second. In the recovery room, I was EXTREMELY tired, and my throat was very dry. They gave me some water and a ginger ale to help. I was in quite a lot of pain after, but it went away after a few days. Even though it seems scary, its not as bad as you think it will be. ❤

[Dmtcbh]

You described my son’s surgery last week to a T!! After the surgery and medication from surgery wore off it’s like everything hit him like a ton of bricks. It’s so good to see you up and recovering and kicking that ACL butt!!! Good job sis!

[tonii_]

I feel that! Had a internal knee ligament tear 7 months ago it was so terrible the first days and yeah first 2 weeks because i also lived on the couch cause i couldnt get up the stairs but now since I got through the most exhausting recovery process i gained my strengh back!

[KIpanliliomatamis]

I had my surgery exactly one week ago and I can confidently say that the recovery process is about the most painful and difficult thing I’ve ever had to go through my entire life. I don’t know why I wasn’t scared going into surgery..I thought it was going to be easy but I was sooo WRONG. I cried simply going to the restroom which mind you, is right next to my room. I took the prescribed medication religiously & it wasn’t effective at all. All it did really was make me nauseous and constipated!

Some tips I have though: smoke WEED or take CBD if that’s something you’re open to, ice 24/7, eat along with medication, if pain is unbearable (like it was for me) take ibuprofen in between doses, and finally RELAX. Listen to music and jam out, watch a movie, or read, etc.. while using the RICE method.

I listened to music and danced in place for the first time yesterday and I felt like myself again.

As days go by, you will start to feel okay. Not great, but definitely better. Not going to lie, I’m still suffering but not as bad as the first couple of days! So progress right? We can do this!!

[alexruiz]

I got my ACL surgery a week ago and it’s been a struggle. It’s mentally and physically exhausting. Tomorrow is my follow up appointment. I’m feeling a little better today and after watching this, you give me hope.

[isaacedwards]

Just had my acl / meniscus surgery yesterday. Acl was torn Completely and meniscus partial. Pain pain right after surgery was very bad. Last night trying to sleep was unbearable. Couldn’t sleep much at all and was up all night moaning. Today so far has been better knee still very swollen and very painful. Pain is manageable when muscles aren’t spasming. Just had muscle relaxers ordered in so hopefully tonight I can get some sleep. I’ll keep updating you all as I go on this journey.

[henryrusselliv]

Just had surgery last week, seeing this definitely has helped raise my spirits.

[lozl]

I tore my ACL, sprained my MCL and sprained my LCL at the same time about 4 weeks ago. For my ACL, I'm not recommend surgery for at least 6 months. I'm quite glad that I don't really need to get surgery and i can just recover on my own. Although, I don't know how long I'll be on crutches for. I just know that I appreciate my legs a LOT more than I ever have. You really don't know what you have until it's gone. Especially having this need for people to help if I drop something at school or home is really embarrassing. I also can't help people physically at all. It's so frustrating and I do have this feeling like I'm trapped. All I know is that I just have to keep working on my physical therapy exercises and I'll get to be independent again eventually.

[stevencamrons]

Did my acl playing rugby. I’m just glad this is a common injury, but still a lot of rehab in the coming months hope you all get through it safely ❤.

[leeannflores]

I sit here and watch the videos of what I’m going to endure is devastating. I tore my ACL, minuscule, and have impacted fractures all on my right knee from a motorcycle accident. I’m glad I’m alive but as an active 42 y/o who works out, trains with my kids to do extra work in baseball and softball, and I play ball too only to be thrown a wedge and not do anything for a while kills me. Thank you for sharing your experience

[keith]

“The first week after surgery is hell” I felt that tho it’s painful

[GurinderSingh-uhtv]

I had surgery 8 years ago but I had acl, pcl and tcl rupture. I was in bed for 1 month after that once I started rehab like u said when u achieve them they feel like a win. All I can say is ride lots bike bcose I am 100% now like I never had the injury. My injured knee feels stronger