Rapid recovery from ACL reconstruction and meniscus repair

Wales’ most capped footballer, Jessica Fishlock MBE, has been blown away by the rehabilitation facilities at St Joseph’s Hospital.

Welsh International, Jessica Fishlock, is currently being treated at the Centre for Clinical Physiotherapy which is part of St Joseph's Hospital. Their state-of-the-art facilities are probably some of the best in the country.

Jessica has been named Welsh Footballer of the Year numerous times, has won multiple championships and regular-season titles with the teams she has played for including winning the Champions League in May of this year while on loan to Olympique Lyon, beating FC Barcelona in the final at Budapest.

More than a month after winning the title, Jessica sustained an injury while playing for her team in Seattle and required an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction and double meniscus repair on her left knee.

Jessica talks about her rehabilitation after her knee surgery: “I had a major knee operation two months ago and I’m eight weeks post-op,” Jessica explains.

“I spent the first six weeks resting in America and then flew home to Wales for my brother’s wedding. While at home with my family in Cardiff, my sister Kathryn, who is a highly-skilled physiotherapist, recommended St Joseph’s Hospital to help with my rehabilitation – stating that their facilities are second to none.

“With St Joseph’s Hospital being so close to home in Cardiff, it was the perfect choice. When I arrived in Wales, my knee was incredibly stiff and very hard to bend, so while I’m here the aim is to build strength in the hamstring, hip, and quad of my left leg. I've set a target of reaching a full 90-degree range of motion in my knee and getting strength back in my leg. I’m confident that I’ll be able to achieve that before I go back to America.

“I’ve worked with three of the St Joseph physiotherapists, but mostly with ACL specialist Jonny Harper, who is amazing. Working with the team here is great – they genuinely understand what I’m going through – offering support, advice, plus a wealth of knowledge to help with my recovery. I trust their expertise.

“I’ve had access to an AlterG anti-gravity treadmill that allows me to do weight bearing exercise without gravity. This has been crucial in making sure that my walking pattern is right. This unique piece of equipment allows me to get the right stride pattern with my knee locking out correctly.

“The hydro pool and the anti-gravity machine have gone hand in hand helping with the speed of my recovery. I’m now eight weeks into my rehabilitation and I’m confident that I’m on track to make a full recovery by my target date of next April.”