As spring sports get underway, athletes are eager to return to the field. With increased activity, however, comes a higher risk of injury — especially to the knee. One of the most common sports injuries orthopedic specialists see this time of year is an ACL tear.
The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is one of the main stabilizing ligaments in the knee. According to Dr. Harold Schock, orthopedic surgeon at BayCare Clinic Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, ACL injuries can happen suddenly and often without contact.
“An ACL tear can result from a big hit or even a simple twist,” Dr. Schock said. “If there’s too much torque on the knee, it can cause injury. We see this especially in higher‑level athletes.”
Athletes Clayton Werner and Andy Sevcik both experienced that sudden moment while playing rugby. For Sevcik, the injury was immediate and unmistakable.
“I was on a full sprint and felt a pop in my knee,” he said. “I hit the ground right away.”
That “pop” is one of the most common warning signs of an ACL tear.
“A lot of patients will tell us they felt or heard a pop,” Dr. Schock said. “That’s when it’s important to get evaluated, because leaving it untreated can lead to further damage in the knee.”
Unlike some injuries, ACL tears do not heal on their own. For Werner and Sevcik, surgery was recommended to help restore stability to the knee.
“We reconstruct the ligament using tissue from the patient’s own body,” Dr. Schock explained. “That tissue often comes from the quadriceps, hamstring, or patellar tendon.”
Recovery after ACL surgery can take several months to a year and requires a strong commitment to physical therapy.
“It’s half what we do in surgery and half what the patient does in rehab,” Dr. Schock said.
Werner has spent nearly a year in rehabilitation and is close to returning to rugby. He credits rehab for helping him regain both strength and confidence.
“Stick with rehab,” Werner said. “You won’t get better if you don’t have help.”
Doctors emphasize that patience is critical during recovery, as returning to sports too soon significantly increases the risk of re‑injury.
“One of the biggest factors we see with re‑injury is people going back too early,” Dr. Schock said.
Sevcik says the time and discipline he put into rehab made all the difference.
“I feel confident I’m back to where I was — or close to it,” he said.
If you experience knee pain, swelling, instability, or a popping sensation during sports, don’t ignore it. Early evaluation and expert orthopedic care can help prevent further injury and support a safe return to activity.