Getting Back on the Mountain: Katie’s ACL Surgery and Recovery with Dr. Terrell Joseph
For Katie, snowboarding isn’t just a hobby, it’s a big part of her life. An experienced snowboarder comfortable on challenging terrain, she had ridden the same line at her home resort countless times. But in January, one unexpected turn changed everything.
During a familiar run, Katie’s snowboard struck a rock as she made a turn. She tumbled, landed hard on her left knee and immediately heard and felt a pop.
“I knew something was wrong,” Katie recalls.
The injury turned out to be far more extensive than she initially realized. Katie had injured multiple structures in her knee, including her ACL, LCL and MCL, along with a bucket-handle meniscus tear. The pain made it difficult to walk, much less work on her feet or think about returning to the mountain.
Within a day, she was looking for answers and found her way to Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery and knee specialist Dr. Terrell Joseph.
Finding the Right ACL Surgeon
Katie was able to see Dr. Joseph quickly. At her initial appointment, X-rays ruled out a fracture, and an MRI was scheduled to determine the extent of the damage.
Even before she knew exactly what treatment would involve, Katie remembers feeling reassured by Dr. Joseph’s approach.
“He had a kind demeanor. He was empathetic and took his time,” she says. “I felt heard. He was very present, which is all you can ask for when you’re navigating a serious injury.”
Her MRI confirmed the extent of her knee injury and the need for surgery. Dr. Joseph called Katie the same day her MRI was completed to discuss the findings and next steps.
With multiple structures in her knee affected, moving forward quickly with surgery was important. For Katie, who had never undergone a major surgery before, the prospect was understandably intimidating.
“Dr. Joseph did a great job keeping my nerves calm,” she says. “He was empathetic in that moment, which was really important to me.”
ACL Surgery and Meniscus Repair
About a week later, Katie underwent surgery to repair her injured knee. The procedure went well, and she began the next phase of her journey: recovery and rehabilitation.
Because of the extent of her injury and meniscus damage, Katie spent eight weeks non-weight-bearing and started with gentle physical therapy. From there, recovery became a gradual process of restoring mobility and strength while rebuilding confidence in her knee.
At her follow-up appointments, Katie appreciated being able to talk openly with Dr. Joseph about her progress and any concerns along the way.
“Visit to visit, I felt good about where I was in my normal trajectory,” she says. “Dr. Joseph validated any of my concerns.”
That reassurance became especially valuable as Katie progressed through rehabilitation. For an athlete, recovering from a knee injury isn’t only about restoring strength and range of motion, it’s also about learning to trust your knee again and becoming comfortable returning to the activities you love.
Returning to Running, Hiking and the Activities She Loves
Running, hiking, biking and snowboarding have long been central to Katie’s active lifestyle, so each milestone represents another step toward feeling like herself again.
Regaining confidence in her knee takes time, but Katie continues to move forward with the support of Dr. Joseph and her physical therapy team.
Her biggest goal?
Getting back on her snowboard.
Katie hopes to return to the mountain this winter, but she plans to be patient, waiting for good snow coverage and gradually getting comfortable with the movements again before returning to more demanding terrain. Eventually, she hopes to return not only to resort snowboarding, but also to backcountry splitboarding.
For someone whose life has always revolved around the mountains, getting back on snow is a powerful motivation to keep moving forward.
Moving Forward After ACL Surgery
A severe ACL and meniscus injury can change an athlete’s life in an instant. Katie’s recovery has required patience, persistence and trust in the process, but with each milestone, she is getting closer to the activities she loves most.
Throughout that journey, Dr. Joseph’s combination of surgical expertise, communication and empathy has helped Katie navigate an unfamiliar experience with confidence. Now, her focus is on what comes next: continuing to build strength and confidence, and working her way back to the mountains.
There are no guarantees of outcome. All surgeries involve the risk of major complications. Before you decide on surgery, discuss treatment options with your doctor. Understanding the risks of each treatment can help you make the best decision for your individual situation. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits. Only your doctor can determine the appropriate treatment for your situation. The clinical information and opinions, including any inaccuracies expressed in this material by patients or doctor are not necessarily those of Terrell Joseph, MD and should not be considered as substitute for medical advice provided by your doctor.
