But during a tournament in Edinburgh, Helayna’s footballing journey took an unexpected turn. A sudden twist on the Astroturf caused her studded boots to catch, rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The pain was immediate and so was the fear. Here Helayna shares her experiences and the story of her road to recovery:

“Football means so much to me because it’s the majority of my life. When the accident happened, I was thinking things like, will I ever play again? Will I ever play as well again.”

Understanding ACL injuries

The ACL is a key ligament in the knee that stabilises movement. It’s commonly injured during sports involving sudden changes in direction. A torn ACL can cause severe pain, instability, and a long road to recovery. While physiotherapy can help, many people – especially athletes – opt for ACL reconstruction surgery to regain full function.

Choosing surgery to repair her ACL

Helayna knew she wanted to return to football as soon as possible. After researching her options, she found Professor Gordon Mackay at Ross Hall Hospital in Glasgow, who specialises in a technique called InternalBrace™ surgery.

“Working with Professor Mackay was a very positive experience. He was so reassuring and made me feel better about my recovery as soon as I met him.”

Choosing the type of ACL surgery

Professor Mackay recommended InternalBrace™, a modern approach to ACL repair. Instead of traditional graft-only reconstruction, it uses a biocompatible polymer brace to support the healing ligament. This brace acts like a scaffold, allowing the ligament to regenerate while providing stability during recovery.

The procedure involves drilling into the shin and thigh bones to anchor the brace alongside the repaired ligament. It’s designed to reduce recovery time and improve outcomes –especially for active individuals.

A fast recovery from ACL surgery

Helayna’s recovery was swift. Just two days after surgery, she was walking without crutches. Within a couple of months, she was jogging again.

“The stages of recovery for me were really quick. Everything moved really fast, and now I’m back to running and football. I’m not back to 11-a-side games just yet, but I will be soon.”

Disclaimer

This story reflects the personal experience of an individual patient and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Outcomes and recovery times can vary. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

We are very grateful to Circle Health Group – one of the providers we collect data from – and its team at Ross Hall Hospital for sharing Helayna’s story with us so that we can share it with you.

However, please note that PHIN provides information to support your healthcare decisions, but we do not recommend individual providers. It’s important that you explore all your options before choosing where and how to receive treatment.

Some patients may base their decision on the cost of treatment (if they are self-funding), while others may follow the guidance of their private medical insurer. Others might prioritise the experience of the consultant or factors related to the hospital, such as its regulator rating, location, or facilities.

We encourage you to research thoroughly and make an informed decision that’s right for you. We’re sharing Helayna’s story to help you understand what your experience might be like and to support you in asking the right questions when considering your healthcare options.