Life after ATR
Folks, I want to know if I really will be able to play football (soccer) again or if I’m just flogging a dead horse with that dream.
The “About” section reveals Im 42 and some people may say its time to change my shinpads & Puma Kings for a pipe & slippers. Not without a fight! Im talking Private Ryan Style, or thats how I feel. I also feel it would be stupid to do an ATR again. 42?
Just to put those two digits into context, I remember my youthful days when I played soccer. I was good to the point of having 3 professional clubs interested in me, including Liverpool (and Merseyside Reps. U-18 team became English U-21 Champions; I was 16 - I need to get married and have kids so I can tell them this stuff). That means I was no slouch. The Liverpool youthclub I payed for every Saturday was coached by a guy who was 43 years old, a small lightly built guy. When I say I was no slouch, I was like a whippet; in all my years of playing I never met anyone faster than me (maybe only 2 or 3 who were as fast). But during training my coach clung to my shoulder as we pelted down the wing. I remember being so mad at the time; who is this old geezer keeping up with me! He was 43 and as far as I new he did no regular exercise (he didnt do any training normally). Can you imagine what that guy was like at 23?
Also there are many professional footballers who have played long past the 32/33 years standard; an Italian defender was still playing for Italy at age 39! So I know its not all about those digits called age.
I know an ATR is not necessarily the end of life; Kelly Holmes won the 2004 800m & 1500m Olympics at age 34 after an ATR in 1997.
We are all built differently, age differently and have different mileage. So how the heck can I make a good guess as to whether I should ever lace up my boots again? And if I do play how will I know when Im ready?
If any one has any views on this please drop a line in here and let everyone know your thoughts.
7 responses so far
you have to be in touch with a very fine physiotherapist and exercise trainers.
but even with those at hand it is still rolling the dice.
youll never know what youre gonna get.
its just a matter of how much balls you have , if you have a supportive family and if you can afford to be out of work in case you have another injury .
kelly holmes example with atr 1997 and won in 2004- how many year do you think was spent / or haow many years beore they trained full blast again . even if you say 2-3 years youll be 45 by then .
what im getting intomis nobody knows - its up to you , your drive and desire , the people around you and your financial situation.
screwdriver, what you say matches the variety of ages and activities when an ATR occurred. There is no real pattern from what I can see.
Its happened in young sporty people under 30 to the more mature and less active types. One blogger “popped” standing in a car park.
Does any one know of fitness tests to gradually assess the AT strength? Any scan techniques? Can AT be strengthened by specific exercises? I will ask these questions to my medics/PT and post replies; if anyone has done this already please post and share.
Im off to Amazon to see what range they have in pipes and slippers…
i know what you mean jack . we cant really see our genetic make-up or how good or bad the collagen fibers / tissues are.
can this be seen thru MRI?
the older we get - its more against us and if our genetics are bad - then it gets worse.
i know someone too that just stood up from sitting on the floor and popped it.
hey jacksprat, were u any good at soccer??? Hahahaha just kidding man..I know how depressing this injury is…you’ll be back on the pitch in a year, hang in there.
Hi Walshie, thanks for the encouragement, I guess a big part of ATR recovery is staying positive. Dennis got it right comparing recovery to a marathon, thats really what it is; a long road.
I did go on a bit about my soccer days; just really wanted to make the point that you can still be very sporty in your 40’s (e.g. my coach).
ATR can be a bit of shock; a few people at the hospital were telling me I wouldnt play football (soccer) again. My surgeon said it would be at least 6 months but I could play again.
Looking at other blogs I think a year is more realistic. But I dont want another ATR, its not worth it at 42. My city Bristol has a top sports clinic (treats pro sports people); I will try and get some info out of them, if I can afford it! Let you all know if I get anything.
Hello to all,
I ruptured mine playing capoiera(a brazilian martial arts) and i am in my late 20’s. I was strength training weekly (plyometrics and body weight exercieses) about 3 times a week, yoga, and play capoeoira 2-3 times per week, so let me say that these ruptures happen to everyone. I am close to two weeks post-op, hopefully I want to be able to play capoeira in about 4 months and be able to surf in 7 months,,, anyone think this might be possible?
Jacksprat, I did my ATR moving my bike in the car park, no seriously. I am 6 weeks post opp, and all I want to do is walk without crutches again, anywhere is better than being stuck in bed, and still in pain, yes I am one of the lucky ones, ha ha. If you do decide to stick with the football, It would be hell for you if you do it again. Because you know how long the path of recovery is. If you want encouragement, one blogger rode his bike 40 miles with a boot on, I think at 6 weeks, “mad” keen he was. If you love football that much, be honest with your PT, and don,t rush it. Bloody scary mind don’t you think. Good luck, and thanks for the photographs of the boot. I think I am getting one on Monday, and now I know what they look like.