What happens when a physio tears her own ACL?!

When I tore my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) playing netball last year, I thought putting my recovery into my own hands would be safe enough – I’ve helped countless other people come back from the same injury after all.

The first problem I encountered? The mental side of injuries like these.

I HATED not being able to do the exercise I love at the gym or play netball, couldn’t even kick a football around with my kids.

Pilates was my saviour and I spent months diligently doing the exercises that I’ve supported so many other patients to do in the past.

My knee improved but… Months on, my recovery wasn’t where I’d have expected it to be and I was still experiencing pain.

So I finally swallowed my pride and went to see another physio.

I needed eyes on that weren’t mine. Someone to pick up where my timing was off. Someone to show me where I was weakest, where I was losing form, where I had less control.

Despite feeling nervous and – to be honest – a bit silly about going, I came away from that first session buzzing.

It felt amazing not to be carrying all the responsibility myself, to feel supported and heard.

For the first time in nearly a year, I’d got real help, and I finally had some belief that I could properly rehabilitate.

After just 3 sessions I’m finally really confident in my knee again, back lifting at the gym – and I’ve even been skiing this weekend!

With NHS waiting lists SO long, and my colleagues in outpatients being deployed back to the wards to deal with the crisis now – the value you’ll get from a private physio will outweigh the cost no end.

If you’ve got an injury and you need support, don’t let money be a barrier to you seeking help – please get in touch and we can work something out!

Louise x

P.S. Look, I really did get onto the slopes and my knee felt good!