Aleena Abrahamsen

Aleena Abrahamsen’s story, in their own words

My name is Aleena and I have been a cheerleader since I was five years old. When I was twelve, I tore my ACL. I was devastated as cheer was my identity, my passion, and my entire social life. A local physician diagnosed me and said I should be fine with a traditional ACL reconstruction surgery since I was almost thirteen. My parents read Dr. Green’s bio on the HSS website and made an appointment to see him for a second opinion. Thank goodness we did!

He determined that my skeletal age was only 11 and the procedure most adults have could stunt the growth in the injured leg. Dr. Green performed a pediatric ACL surgery, using my IT band to create a new ACL. I have grown seven inches in height since the procedure and I am back to cheering competitively and tumbling! In addition, I became interested in working out after rehabbing my knee with a physical therapist, and I now also do weightlifting and run track. None of this could be possible without the new ACL and the skilled surgery performed by Dr. Green! I am currently a sophomore in high school and I aspire to continue cheering in college.

In addition, after having a positive surgical experience and meeting many healthcare professionals at HSS, I would like to pursue a career as a nurse anesthetist and help others who need surgery.

Published by the Hospital for Special Surgery in its Back in the Game archive in May 2022, and reproduced here in full. Read it on hss.edu →

Sport or activity

Track, Cheer

Treating surgeon

Dr. Daniel W. Green

HSS care team

Yukiko Matsuzaki, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS