ACL reconstruction surgery gets local athlete off the sidelines and back in the game

Tackling Knee Trouble

It was the best game of his life. But for Tyler Thrasher-Walker, the game in December of 2013 would end too soon. As the football running back dug his cleats into the field, he heard a snap in his left knee joint. A rival player had slammed into the side of his leg, knocking him to the ground. When Thrasher-Walker stood up, his leg gave out and he spiraled downward onto the grass.

“I felt destroyed when that happened. I felt like I was letting down my team,” remembers Thrasher-Walker, now 19, whose Westfield High School team was competing in the Virginia High School League All-State playoffs. Fortunately, Thrasher-Walker would find the help he needed at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, just down the street from his school.

Doctor’s orders: ACL surgery

Thrasher-Walker met with his team’s physician, Robert M. Dombrowski, MD, Director of the Department of Orthopedics at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital.  An MRI revealed that the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a band of tissue that connects the bones in the knee, was severely torn. Tyler would need immediate surgery.

Using bone tissue from another part of the knee, Dr. Dombrowski successfully reconstructed the ligament.

“ACL reconstruction is a solution to an acute injury that has excellent long-term results,” says Dr. Dombrowski. “Inova Fair Oaks has excellent resources and staff, and you get very personalized patient care and very experienced and competent orthopedic care teams.”

Progress with physical therapy

Thrasher-Walker began physical therapy immediately after his surgery and used crutches for the first six weeks of his recovery. Within two months, he was able to run again, and within six months, he was fully recovered. Thrasher-Walker looks forward to playing football at James Madison University in the spring.

“My leg feels great and I can do whatever I want to do,” says Thrasher-Walker. “I have my full range of motion and I don’t feel any pain in my knee whatsoever. Dr. Dombrowski is the greatest doctor in the world.”

Looking for an orthopedist in Northern Virginia?

To schedule an appointment with an orthopedic specialist at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, call 703.391.4555.