Bucknell University Athletics
Wilkinson Rebounds from Knee Injury with Hard Work, Team Support
1/27/2011 7:00:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 27, 2011
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell softball student-athletes will be checking in throughout the season as the team begins its drive for another Patriot League Championship. Here is the next 2010-11 installment of the student-athletes' journals from sophomore outfielder and political science and history major, Kathryn Wilkinson.
It had happened last April during our game against Lafayette. I was rounding second base, heard a pop and fell. The team had initially thought that I had tripped because I am what you would call a “klutz”. However, this time it was not the case. I had fully torn my right ACL and shredded my meniscus, among other minor injuries. I underwent surgery in May. They used my accessory hamstring to replace my ACL and completely removed my Lateral Meniscus. The recovery time was anywhere between 6 to 12 months.
The first three months post surgery is by far the hardest. You have to wear an immobilizing brace that goes from your upper thigh to your ankle. I must say it's an attractive look. Around week four, you begin to start walking properly again, which is much harder than toddlers make it out to be. Every day of therapy begins with bending your knee to a certain “goal degree” and if I didn't reach that goal each time, the therapist would manually get it to the degree. That is some of the most excruciating pain imaginable.
I attended therapy three times a week for the entire summer, and thanks to my tough but great physical therapist, I was ahead of schedule. I began walking one week ahead of schedule, around two months post surgery I was driving, and two weeks before the three-month post surgery marker I was jogging. I continued therapy back at school, moving into a jump program. My “ups” were horrific before the injury, so I had nowhere to go but up, no pun intended. Six-and-a-half months after surgery, I was cleared to sprint, cut and pivot. Most of all I was cleared to play. Although I have to wear this dorky brace, I cannot begin to explain how happy I am to be back.
The team and coaches couldn't have been more helpful and supportive. While I was at school crutching around, they would help me carry my books, food and some softball equipment. They would wait for me as I crutched and would keep me involved in practices. They would even throw with me as I sat on the bucket and didn't make fun of me as I did tee work sitting down. However, there were some playful nicknames thrown around- “crip”, “gimpy”, “Tiny Tim”, and my personal favorite “poor lil' tink tink” but the nicknames were to be expected.
After surgery, I received phone calls, texts and emails asking how I was doing and encouraging me to keep working. When I got back to campus, the girls were so happy to see me walking and jogging. They would cheer for me as I jogged pole to pole and as I gradually worked back into practices. When I was cleared to play, they were so excited to have me back. They made it so easy to transition back into things. They always make sure I am doing okay. I actually think they are more worried about my knee than I am which is saying something because I'm a worrywart. They have been so unbelievably helpful and positive.
Although the nicknames have ceased, the support hasn't, and I couldn't be more thankful.
