TJ Hockenson: Tale of Torn Ligaments
T.J. Hockenson, the Minnesota Vikings’ go-to guy for clutch catches, was having a standout season until December rolled around and brought an unwelcome gift — a double whammy injury to his ACL and MCL.
In the blink of an eye, the Vikings’ tight end went from a playoff hopeful to sidelined, all thanks to two crucial ligaments that decided to take an early vacation. Here’s what happened.
Anatomy
The ACL originates from the back of the femur (thighbone) and inserts into the front of the tibia (shinbone). This ligament is critical in preventing the tibia from sliding out in front of the femur and plays a key role in stabilizing the knee during rotational movements. For a tight end like Hockenson, the ACL is crucial when he’s making sharp cuts on the field to evade defenders or quickly changing direction to catch a pass.
The MCL runs along the inner part of the knee, originating from the medial side of the femur and inserting into the medial side of the tibia. Its primary job is to provide stability to the inner knee, especially against forces that push the knee inward. For a tight end, the MCL is vital when blocking defensive players, working overtime to keep his knee stable and prevent it from collapsing inward under pressure.
Injury
T.J. Hockenson’s injury occurred during a game when he was hit by a defender directly in the knee area. As Hockenson caught a pass and turned upfield, the defender collided with his knee, forcing it into a hyperextension. This hyperextension means that his knee extended beyond its normal range of motion, putting an enormous strain on the ACL. The ACL couldn’t handle the excessive force and tore.
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Of interest, physician Tim Gay was quoted estimating the force of the average head-to-head tackle to be over 7,000 Newtons of force. Given that the ACL of the average adult male can only tolerate 500 pounds perpendicularly, it’s no wonder that even a fit athlete like Hockenson would sustain such an injury given the direct collision.
The impact also had a lateral component, as the defender’s hit pushed the knee inward, creating a valgus force. This type of force stretched the MCL, the ligament responsible for stabilizing the inner knee, beyond its limit, leading to a tear as well. In addition to the ACL and MCL tears, hyperextension injuries can sometimes also involve damage to the meniscus — the shock-absorbing cartilage in the knee — though in Hockenson’s case, the initial reports didn’t indicate such damage.
Treatment
T.J. Hockenson’s road to recovery began with a surgical procedure to repair his torn ACL and MCL. The surgery for the ACL is called ACL reconstruction, where the torn ligament is replaced with a graft — usually taken from another tendon in Hockenson’s own body, like the patellar or hamstring tendon.
The surgeon starts by making small incisions and using a tiny camera to guide the procedure. They then create small tunnels in the bones of the knee, through which the graft is threaded and securely anchored in place. This new ligament will take time to integrate into the knee and restore its stability.
For the MCL, if the tear is severe enough, the surgeon may repair it by suturing the torn ends together or using another graft, similar to the ACL repair. In some cases, the MCL might heal on its own with rest and physical therapy.
After surgery, Hockenson’s knee will be placed in a brace, and he will begin the long process of rehabilitation to regain strength, stability, and full function before returning to the field.
Thoughts
For Vikings fans, Hockenson’s injury is a tough pill to swallow. In the meantime, Vikings fans can take comfort in knowing that Hockenson is in good hands and that ACL and MCL injuries, while serious, are not career-ending. For those fans worried about the draft of their fantasy teams, Hockenson’s injury status makes him unable to play in any games using October 6th.
So here’s to a successful surgery, a smooth recovery, and seeing T.J. back on the field, doing what he does best — making big plays and giving defenders nightmares.
LEGAL NOTICE: The content written in this blog is for entertainment purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice. My writing reflects my own research and opinions and is not associated with VCUSOM or its faculty in any way. Please contact me to have any content removed.
