172 DAYS

AFTER SUFFERING 6 KNEE INJURIES, RYAN JENSEN RETURNED TO PLAY FOR THE BUCCANEERS.

performed a stem-cell infusion to strengthen Jensen’s ligaments and accelerate healing.

Returning to Play 8 Months

Ahead of Schedule

Dr. Shelbourne and Dr. Prodromos had told Jensen that if all went well, he should be able to return to play in September 2023. Instead, Jensen was back on the field for the playoffs in January 2023.

“Some call trying to come back off of a severe injury dumb, but I’m a football player and football players play football,” Jensen told BucsGameday.

References

1. Shelbourne KD, Davis TJ, Patel DV. The natural history of acute, isolated, nonoperatively treated posterior cruciate ligament injuries. A prospective study. Am J Sports Med. May-Jun 199 9;27(3):276-83.

2. Shelbourne KD, Clark M, Gray T. Minimum 10-Year Follow-up of Patients After an Acute, Isolated Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Treated Nonoperatively. Am J Sports Med. 2013;41(7):1526-1533.

3. Shelbourne Knee Center research data. Accessed 5/7/23.

4. Shelbourne KD, Porter DA. Anterior cruciate ligament-medial collateral ligament injury: nonoperative management of medial collateral ligament tears with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. A preliminary report. Am J Sports Med. 1992 May-Jun;20(3):283-6. doi: 10.1177/036354659202000308. PMID: 1636858.

5. Shelbourne KD, Carr DR. Combined anterior and posterior cruciate and medial collateral ligament injury: nonsurgical and delayed surgical treatment. Instr Course Lect. 2003;52:413-8. PMID: 12690868.