October News - Special Report: Garrett Ruptures Hamstring Tendon doing deadlifts; Making Full Recovery

Well, until this time I was able to say I was injury free. But, I guess there comes a time in many an athete's career when he or she faces an injury and the requisite recovery period. On September 20, I was training legs with my good buddy and training partner, Derik "The Freak" Farnsworth. We were doing stiff legged deadlifts and I was on my fourth set, doing 405lbs with no problem, when all of the sudden on the last rep, I felt something snap and give way between my calf and my hamstring. There was no doubt in my mind I'd torn something.

I went immediately to the Emergency Room at the Univerisity of California, San Diego (UCSD) Medical Center and while at first the ER doc wanted to send me home with pain meds and re-evaluate in a few days with an MRI, I said, "Look here, feel this behind my knee, the tendon is missing." So, instead, they did an MRI right away and immediately confirmed that I had indeed ruptured the tendon.

A few days later I was seen by an excellent orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Robert Pedowitz, Chief of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics, UCSD School of Medicine. We had a choice: I could 1)wait for the body to heal naturally, with the likelihood that the scar tissue my body would produce to reattach the tendon would never be as strong as before or 2)undergo surgery to fully reattach the tendon to the femur, ensuring a 100% recovery and ability to train at full capacity, despite a slightly longer recovery time due to the trauma of surgery. My doctor and I both agreed that because I am professional athlete who makes his living this way, surgery, was the option.

Of course, when you agree to surgery, you never know exactly what you will be in for! One minute I am laying on the bed and the next thing I know (2 hours later), I am waking up in a fog with a 40 pound plaster bandage on my leg extending from the top of my quad to my ankle. And then there was the PAIN! I had no idea how painful it would be. But of course when I learned of the details of the procedure, it all made sense: The doctor drilled 2 holes in my bone and put sutures throughout the tendon on both sides, drawing the sutures through the holes and securing on the other side. This will cause the tendon to be stretched as it repairs and reattaches to the bone. I have to wonder, which is more amazing: the body or modern medicine? Needless to say, they make a tremendous combination for which I am grateful!

The prognosis is excellent. I will be back 100% and able to compete! I was making tremendous gains, particularly in my legs; but, I have no doubt that I will be on stage later in 2003 at my all time best.

While I had to cancel my appearance at FIBO in Italy Oct 14-15, despite my crutches, I will still be attending the Olympia Weekend, Oct 17-19, appearing at the Weider booths! Be sure to come by and say hello. See you there.Many thanks for all the notes and well-wishes. You WILL be seeing me on stage!

-Garrett
Garrett Downing, IFBB Pro Bodybuilder

PS This is unrelated to my injury, but I want to encourage all fellow Californians to vote YES on Proposition 49. This proposition will set aside much needed funds for kids in after school programs. To find out more, visit the site of one the sports mosted noted leaders and figures, Arnold Schwarzennger.

Back to most recent update - December 2002