ACL Program Patient Stories

Our team at UPMC Sports Medicine is dedicated to helping athletes and active people of all ages and skill levels. After an ACL injury, it's easy to feel overwhelmed about treatment options, rehabilitation, and recovery times. But we have the experts to help.

Hear about the impact our ACL care has on the lives of some of our patients.

Lauren’s Story: Dedicated Alpine Skier Back on the Slopes After ACL Injury

Lauren had just begun her journey at a private ski and snowboard academy when her ski clipped on a gate, and she tore the ACL in her right knee. Learn how individualized care at UPMC Sports Medicine helped her get back on the slopes within the year.

Read Lauren Waskowitz's story

Damon’s Story: Returning from Injury and Reaching 1,000 Career Points

A sports injury left Damon with ACL and meniscus tears. After surgery and rehabilitation, he returned to play, and he achieved 1,000 career points. Read more.

A basketball injury left Damon with full ACL and meniscus tears in his left knee. After surgery and months of individualized rehabilitation, he returned to play and achieved 1,000 career points.

Read Damon's story

Ella’s Story: Making History After Back-to-Back Knee Injuries

A soccer injury left Ella will a full ACL tear and a partial meniscus tear. Undergoing surgery would give her the best chance of playing soccer again. She didn’t let that stop her.

A soccer injury left Ella with a full ACL tear and a partial meniscus tear. Undergoing surgery would give her the best chance of playing soccer again. She didn’t let that stop her.

Read Ella's story

Erin’s Story: Comeback After ACL, MCL, and Meniscus Injury

Erin tore her ACL during a soccer game in her sophomore year of high school. Learn how the team at UPMC helped her return to play for her junior year.

Erin tore her ACL during a soccer game in her sophomore year of high school. Learn about her recovery and how the team at UPMC helped her return to play — just in time for her junior year.

Read Erin Brady's story

Lydia’s Story: Determined Soccer Star Reaches Her Goal

Lydia's soccer and track involvement were put on hold due to an ACL injury. Learn how the team at UPMC helped her return to the field for the next season.

After tearing her ACL during soccer, giving up never even entered Lydia’s mind. Learn how this soccer star’s determination, combined with expert care at UPMC, helped Lydia continue her soccer career.

Read Lydia's story