What It Takes to Return to Sports After Knee Surgery: Josh’s Story
Each month, Iron Physical Therapy highlights a special patient to tell their inspiring story. We want to honor the people who go all in - body, mind and spirit. They show us what’s possible - that you can move on from a setback to do amazing things...to challenge your body, to chase your dreams, to address pain in a healthy way to #getbetterbebetter.
Check out Josh’s story below and then click here to read more inspiring patient stories.
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Josh came to us last November after having a bone tumor (Chondroblastoma) removed from his knee. For over six months, he’s been putting in the work in PT — and now, he’s finally back on the basketball court.
The most impressive part about Josh’s recovery is that he never once complained or felt sorry for himself. Josh has been laser-focused on getting back to the game he loves. For months, he’d ask us every week when he could start dribbling, shooting, and playing again — and now, that day is here.
— Dr. Chris Aherne, DPT
In josh’s Own Words…
Basketball is a passion for you — what was it like facing the challenge of being sidelined for so long?
Having to face the challenge of being sidelined for the entire basketball season sucked. However, I got to be around the varsity team for the season, so I got to learn the system and also learn from others' mistakes who were playing in the games.
For athletes, uncertainty about returning to training can be the most challenging. Was there a time when you worried about your future in basketball?
There were times where I doubted myself and questioned if I would ever return to the same player I was before the surgery. However, those dark times made me have a stronger mindset because if I was able to overcome all of the struggles in the recovery process, it made me believe that I can leap over any obstacle that comes my way in the future.
You stayed focused and positive even through tough months. What helped you keep going when progress felt slow or uncertain?
What helped me keep going when progress felt slow or uncertain was the thought of getting out on the court again to play my first game. I knew the comeback would be stronger than the setback, so if I just put my head down and worked, I would be back when the time was right.
How did it feel when you finally got back to dribbling, shooting, and playing basketball?
When I got back to playing basketball, I felt pretty good—my knee still felt a bit of soreness and got swollen after I played. Other than that, I feel my ability on the court was pretty much the same as it was, or even better than before the surgery.
How did working with your PT help you not just physically, but mentally too?
Working with my PT helped me not just physically, but also mentally because they are the biggest motivators I know. Dr. Aherne and Dr. Maginnis helped coach me through the entire process by pushing me beyond my limits so I could come back even stronger than I was before my surgery. They encouraged me to keep a positive mindset even when things were not going as quickly as I hoped. Without their help, I would not be as strong as I am today.
What would you say to other athletes who might be facing a long rehab journey and wondering if things will ever get better?
If I were to say something to other athletes who might be facing a long rehab journey and wondering if things will ever get better, I would tell them to believe in themselves and to trust their physical therapists because they know what they are doing.
Looking back on everything, what’s the most important lesson you learned during this experience?
The most important lesson I learned during this experience is that when you get knocked down, you must get back up and keep fighting.