During a basketball game, I was hit on the inside of my left knee by an offensive player, resulting in an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and a dislocation of my patella. To recover as quickly as possible, I went to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University for an arthroscopic ACL reconstruction surgery. After going through months of rehabilitation, my knee was finally back to a level that allowed me to resume all my activities. As an ordinary person from a small town, this experience deeply made me appreciate the nobility and sanctity of medicine. Since then, I have been determined to become a doctor. Through hard work and dedication, I have successfully enrolled in the Jiangxi Medical College at Nanchang University.

After the injury, I was swiftly transported to the local county hospital. Given my young age, the physician recommended a non-surgical treatment approach, encompassing functional knee bracing and activity modification.1 However, after 2 weeks of this treatment, my symptoms worsened. For effective treatment, my mother took me to a major city hospital. There, a thorough examination, including an MRI,2 identified both an ACL injury and patellar dislocation. Immediate ACL reconstruction was recommended, but the invasive nature of the surgery gave us pause. Considering my age and concerns about the surgical scar impacting my appearance and prognosis,3 the doctor advised seeking minimally invasive surgery (surgery to minimise patient injury through very small incisions and specialised instruments) at a provincial tertiary hospital.

Arriving at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, our family completed the registration process and then had our first consultation with Dr Hao Liang, who would become my attending physician and mentor. Dr Hao conducted an initial examination (Lachman test), pivot shift test4 and subsequently arranged for an MRI and a CT scan. After a thorough review of the imaging report outcomes, Dr Hao maintained that surgical intervention is the optimal treatment approach. Additionally, he highlighted potential postoperative complications and sequelae, such as the onset of osteoarthritis and the risk of ACL re-injury.5

After careful consideration, we decided to undergo this less invasive arthroscopic procedure. As I was transported to the operating room on a transfer bed, it was my first surgical experience, and I was engulfed by a mixture of fear and anxiety. Dr Hao reassured me with a comforting gesture and words, ‘It’s okay, don't be nervous’. The anaesthesiologist then administered the anaesthesia, and the operation began.

On awakening, I found Dr Hao already standing before me. He explained, ‘ACL reconstruction is just the beginning of treatment, not the end’. Responding, I expressed my fervent desire to return to the basketball court, to run and play sports again. Dr Hao advised gently, ‘Ensure to stay active and employ scientific rehabilitation methods. With active and scientific approaches, your recovery will be swift, allowing you to resume your normal life’.

On the third day postoperation, I was successfully discharged from the hospital, yet the journey of postoperative rehabilitation lay ahead. By researching and following the doctor’s advice, I devised a scientific rehabilitation plan for myself. Throughout this journey, I gained a profound appreciation for the medical profession, which further deepened my interest in medicine.

Early rehab phase (1–2 weeks after surgery):

I worked on quadriceps exercises to prevent muscle atrophy. Usually, I would lie in bed and try to contract my quadriceps. It was not an easy process for me; I often feel pain.

I also practised patellar mobilisation on my doctor’s advice to prevent knee joint adhesions. I would lie down with my knee straight. Then, I gently massaged around the kneecap with my fingers to relax the muscles and tissues. Next, I'd gently hold the patella and move it up, down, left and right. My family had received a detailed demonstration from my doctor beforehand, so I rarely experienced discomfort during this exercise.

Intermediate rehab phase (2–6 weeks after surgery):

I engaged in joint range of motion exercises. It started with passive exercises, where I gently flexed and extended my knee using my hands, which was quite easy. However, what followed was painful and lengthy active exercises. During these, I had to wear a professional knee brace that helped record changes in my joint’s range of motion. Sometimes, it felt like my brain could not control my knee, and my joint range of motion would fluctuate unpredictably, even decreasing at times, which was extremely frustrating and disheartening. But with the consistent encouragement from my doctor and loved ones, I kept at it and eventually achieved good recovery results.

Late rehab phase (after 6 weeks post-surgery):

Six weeks postsurgery, my doctor removed my knee brace and noticed that the diameter of my left thigh was 3 cm smaller compared with my healthy right side. My doctor advised me to continue strengthening my quadriceps until both thighs were of equal diameter. Of course, I also had to face the subsequent long-term rehabilitation training, which required persistent determination and an optimistic mindset. After 10 months, I was completely out of rehabilitation.

During this process, I continued to appreciate the distinct allure of medicine and expressed my gratitude to my attending physician, Dr Hao. I also came to understand that for a patient, while surgery is critical, the role of scientific postsurgical rehabilitation is equally indispensable. Therefore, in my clinical work and study, I sincerely assist every patient undergoing ACL reconstruction, hoping they can recover better.

Through this injury, surgery and rehabilitation experience, medicine took root in my heart, guiding me to a career in medicine and renewing my relationship with Dr Hao, my attending physician at the time, as his student (figure 1). As both a patient and a medical student, I believe there are three main reasons why I was able to return to my normal life so quickly after my ACL reconstruction:

The selection of the correct surgical approach.

Maintaining a healthy and persistent mental state during rehabilitation.

Developing a scientific rehabilitation programm.6

Photo of the patient with Dr. Hao.

Consent obtained directly from patient(s).

Not applicable.

I would like to express my gratitude to my attending physician and mentor Professor Liang Hao (Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China) for providing me with surgical treatment and rehabilitation training, guidance during the writing process of this manuscript, and assistance in my medical career. Thanks to my classmates Bofan Chen, Haimin Zeng (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China) and Jie Peng (Department of Sports Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; The Second Clinical Medical College, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China), for their encouragement and support, as well as their assistance in the writing and revision process of this manuscript. The Sports Medicine Team (Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China) for their help in my surgical treatment and rehabilitation training.