On June 13, 2019, Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson tore his left knee anterior cruciate ligament ACL during game 6 of the NBA finals. Thompson was injured when he landed in an awkward position after being fouled by Toronto Raptors’ Danny Green on a breakaway dunk attempt. Thompson was seen falling and immediately grabbing his left knee, as medical staff rushed over. Thompson was helped off the court, but briefly returned to shoot some free throws before limping back off. The Warriors PR team updated on Twitter that Thompson had an MRI that night, which confirmed a torn ACL in Thompson’s left knee.

Thompson had surgery to reconstruct his ACL at the Kerlan Jobe Institute in Los Angeles on July 2. It’s preferable to allow a year’s worth of healing prior to returning to high level sports, but it may be reasonable to return sooner, and athletes are often motivated to do so.

Star UFC fighter Derrick Lewis recently underwent surgery for a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus. Lewis said he felt the knee “go out on me” during the second round of his bout against Junior dos Santos on March 9th, which he would ultimately lose.

Because his knee was stiff, he decided to have an MRI.  The MRI showed an MCL sprain and an old rupture of the ACL.

Lewis believes the ACL injury occurred during a fight in 2015.  When the ACL ruptures it doesn’t heal. Derrick’s high level performance as a UFC fighter shows how well people can function without an ACL.  

Knees with no ACL are prone to an abnormal rotational motion, particularly when planting the foot and changing directions (pivoting).  It sounds like he had a new MCL sprain leading to an MRI that showed the old ACL rupture. It’s not possible to tell if the meniscal changes are new or old.  

Reports indicate Lewis’ recovery time should be approximately six months. A year is more typical and safe, but with very good muscle exercises some high level athletes return sooner.

To learn more about ACL surgery and recovery click here.