Chronic Injury and Major Surgery: Emma Lackey's Journey

Our latest installment of the Health and Performance Academy blog is with a good friend of mine, Emma Lackey. She has had to deal with more physical setbacks than most people I have met, which says a massive amount considering the line of work I am in. It also says so much about Emma, that she is still pushing on after her injuries and surgeries to become the best physical version of herself. Keep reading for some insight into her injury journey and how she manages to continually overcome these setbacks.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

I am currently teaching PE and science and have been for the last 4 years. I chose to do this course not because I grew up being super sporty but because during my time in secondary school, I found a love for sport and physical activity through PE. I was lucky enough to go to a school where there was a big emphasis placed on PE and extracurricular sports. I was able to play a number of different sports and even got to an All-Ireland final in basketball and GAA.

In transition year my Dad convinced me to give rugby a try as my brother had been playing from a young age. After a few training sessions in Naas RFC I knew I had found ‘my sport’ as cringey as that may sound. I found myself constantly wanting to get better and take any opportunity I could to do so. I was privileged to captain our club team, represent Leinster under-age and then go onto to play with Old Belvedere and even win an All-Ireland League. Rugby has been such a big part of my life, especially throughout college. Getting to three All Ireland finals in 4 years of college isn’t too bad, one loss, one win and one shared thanks to Covid.

I will always be grateful for sport and physical activity for what it teaches you about yourself and what you are capable of but also for the friendships you make and experiences that come with it.

Tell us about your injuries?

In summer 2016, I tore my meniscus and was back playing rugby when I started college that September. I then tore the same meniscus in May 2021 just as we were coming out of lockdown. This was more mentally tough as I was really excited to go back to sport after missing sport during Covid. I had surgery in July and during this surgery my surgeon noticed I had grade 3 arthritis in my knee and recommended an osteotomy to prevent me having to get a knee replacement in my 20s. Having a Mam who is an orthopaedic nurse really helped with understanding what to do and what an osteotomy was.

In October 2021 I had a femoral osteotomy – in non-surgical terms my right femur was broken to place a wedge and plate to reshape my leg. I was on crutches for 10 weeks after this surgery and rehab was an extremely slow process. I had the plate removed last week, January 2024, and I’m on the recovery road once again.

Did you know from the beginning you would require multiple surgeries? How did that affect your rehab/mentality?

After my surgery in July 2021, I knew I would have my ‘big surgery’ in the October of that year. I think knowing I was having surgery just made me more appreciative of being able to do things such as go for a walk or do a gym session. My previous injuries happened during sport, so I didn’t have time to mentally prepare myself in the same way.

What did you find the toughest part of the surgery/rehab process?

The 10 weeks on crutches after my osteotomy was so tough. Also seeing others achieve things that you hoped to achieve in your sport while you’re in the rehab stages can be a tough one to take mentally.

 Is there one surgery in particular you found the most difficult to deal with physically/emotionally?

I really struggled with how slow the rehab process could be sometimes and when test results aren’t reflecting the hours of rehab you have put in. My physio saw me cry more in appointments than my own family have. The plate caused me a lot of pain especially during rehab at the start which was a struggle as I needed to do it.

Where are you at currently?

I am one-week post-surgery from getting my plate removed and I’m trying to prioritise rehab in this time to give myself the best chance at progressing with my recovery.

What are some things you used as coping mechanisms after the surgeries?

I found continuing with training in the gym really helped me and having goals that weren’t related to my leg and rehab. Following people on social media who have gone through similar and maybe unfollowing or muting pages that can be triggering. Family and friends. Having people who can bring you out for coffee, train with etc. to take your mind off your injuries.

Advice for individuals going through long-term pain/injury/set backs?

• Comeback > Setback. As hard as injuries can be reminding yourself that the return to sport or physical activity will be worth it. Focus on your ability rather than the injury. I tried to remind myself that I have 3 other limbs. Upper body sessions in the gym became my best friend.

• Be meticulous with Rehab. Making rehab a priority after an injury or surgery is so important. I’m not just saying that because 2 of my best friends are athletic therapists (S/O James Greene HPA and LP therapy).