This slideshow is about the effect that ACL injuries have on student athletes and athletes at the University of Denver.

1. College athletes are at risk of injuring their ACL’s
because of the high demand of their sport. ACL
injuries are the most common knee injuries
among college athletes.

2. The University of Denver has phenomenal
resources for student athletes to recover
after their surgeries and do rehab.

3. The average recovery for an ACL
injury is 12 months and includes
intensive rehab and treatments.

4. "Some people cannot mentally handle the work that
has to be put in for ACL rehab. You essentially have
to learn to walk, run, sit, stand all over again. It’s a
test of mental strength, passion for the game, and
faith in yourself.” Taylor Loyd says after going
through three ACL surgeries.

5. DU student athletes that have ACL
surgeries have to get regular check
ups to make sure they are progressing
through rehabilitation.

6. ACL injuries test the athlete’s dedication and
love for their sport. Sitting on the sideline of
games and practices are extremely difficult.

7. “One of the hardest adjustments
for student athletes to endeavor
is ending their athletic career
because of an ACL injury. They
feel like they have lost a part of
their identity as an athlete,” says
Joy Anderson physical therapist
at DU.

8. Athletes must do their rehab programs,
exercises, and stretches everyday in order to
make progress, recover, and be healthy again.

9. DU has professional athletic
trainers to help aid the athletes
through their rehab

10. ”After I tore my ACL, MCL, and meniscus my doctors
told me if I want to walk by the time I am 30
without a cane, I needed to stop playing the sport I
love and I was forced to end my career in
volleyball,” said Courtney Domme, a sophomore at
DU.

11. Courtney, (left) was forced to give up a
division one athletic career and has
been transitioning into “normal”
student life by joining a sorority at DU.

12. Game ready is an ice and stimulation machine that
athletes with ACL injuries use as a form of recovery.

13. DU athletes are extremely dedicated
to their sports and have a love for
their specific sport. It is the passion
that pushes them to recover and
become better athletes everyday.