ACL Reconstruction Surgery

Hi, my name is Emily.

I am a footballer for FC United Women and I have been playing football for as long as I can remember but unfortunately, in July, that all changed when I suffered a knee injury in pre-season. The injury we all dread…

I tried to stay as positive as possible, I saw a few physios and to start with we thought it was an injury to my MCL and I’d be back playing again relatively soon. However, MRI results revealed my worst fear. I had suffered a grade 3 ACL injury & an injury to my medial meniscus.

Many people are not aware women footballers are 8 times more likely to suffer an ACL injury than men and sadly it is one of the worst injuries a footballer can suffer from within the sport. The average recovery time is 9 months with some taking 12 months to return to play.

I’ve always trained well and have never really suffered with injuries before so this has hit me really hard both mentally and physically. I’m no longer able to do the thing I love the most or even do basic things like walk/run without pain. It is affecting my day to day life and feels like it has put everything on pause.

Unfortunately, I don’t have the income to be able to cover the cost of the surgery privately and the NHS wait list is over a year and a half long which would mean I will be in this kind of pain for over 2 years.

I have been told the surgery could cost around £10,000. This is a figure I cannot reach and find truly devastating that I can’t live my life to the fullest without reaching such a huge figure.

Any donation will be hugely appreciated and I will be forever thankful❤️

Hopefully I can get back to my full potential soon and be back on the pitch doing what I love the most.

Many thanks,

Emily x