Medical Reports: Video Game For ACL Tears

Video Game For ACL TearsWSVN -- Off the field NFL linebacker Kenny Pettway enjoys teaching kids the ins and outs of the game.

Kenny Pettway, NFL Linebacker: "I love running down the field and playing special teams, period."

His job? To keep the other team down, but last year a torn ACL in his knee forced him down.

Kenny Pettway: "On kickoff, I was running down my foot got stuck in the ground, and at the same time, somebody grabbed my shoulder. It just blew my ACL out."

Kenny had surgery to repair his knee. Now, he's using this new video game and workout machine to help him get back into playing shape.

Russell Paine, PT, Dir. of Rehabilitation, Memorial, Hermann Sports Medicine Inst. Houston, TX: "Exercise is not fun, especially when you're a pro athlete and you can't do your thing. You need something to kind of give you a little competition during the exercise and to take your mind off the pain a little bit, too."

Patients play different games designed to help rebuild the ACL. In this one, Kenny uses his knee muscles to control the blue bar. Another tests his power and this one sees how long he can play.

Kenny Pettway: "Like a wet noodle. I'm shaking."

But, what's it like compared to his past rehab?

Kenny Pettway: "It's more challenging. It's a little bit more fun because you're playing a game and trying to beat your score. At the end, it gives you a graph and matches your scores up from the previous weeks."

The machine can also be used for hip and ankle injuries. After two months of hard work and playing the video game, Kenny has progressed to this.

Kenny Pettway: "When I first came here, I was on crutches. Now, I don't need them anymore."

And says he's ready to get back on the field! Kenny Pettway played for the Jaguars and the Packers. He says because of this new game his rehab was shortened by several months.

Alejandra Rodriguez
Public Affairs
Memorial Hermann
Houston, TX
Alejandra.Rodriguez@memorialhermann.org