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Colton Bachman – After an ACL Tear

During a running drill just prior to Piqua’s first football scrimmage, senior Colton Bachman heard a loud pop. Athletic Trainer Katie Smith assessed the injury as an ACL tear. The diagnosis was confirmed soon thereafter.

As Bachman entered his senior year, the sky seemed to be the limit for the impressive two-sport athlete. Bachman entered his last year of football with two impressive seasons under his belt and averaging 20.6 points per game in basketball. Bachman was really looking forward to another standout year.

He made the trip from Piqua down to Beacon Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Cincinnati to hear how Dr. Tim Kremchek could help the ACL tear. Dr. Kremcheck is widely considered a leader in sports medicine, especially Tommy John surgeries. Beacon Orthopaedics often treats high school, college, and professional athletes dealing with similar situations, and Dr. Kremchek assured Bachman that his season wasn’t completely over.

In fact, Dr. Kremchek recommended that Bachman be fitted for a special brace and have the reconstructive surgery after basketball season. He warned Bachman that he would not be able to exceed 75% of his usual performance and to play with caution to avoid further injuries.

With treatment daily, Bachman felt strong enough to strap on his brace and play in the Indian’s football team’s season opener. Although he played in all but three games, Bachman had anything but an easy season. In fact, he tore his meniscus from a big hit during a game against Urbana.

Then came basketball season. The impact on the knees from running and jumping in basketball is much tougher than football. Bachman wasn’t sure how the season would go, but he averaged 22.1 points per game — even better than his impressive junior year statistics.

The Piqua Indians triumphed to a third consecutive winning season, and Bachman was closing in on the school’s 1,554 career points scored record. After defeating Beavercreek in the division sectional, Bachman sunk a field goal in the first half of the game against Greenville, breaking the career scoring record. He went on to earn 1,568 points in his high school career.

After the tournament run ended, Bachman scheduled his procedure for March 1. The surgery essentially combined an ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair, and a bone graft into one procedure. After several months of physical therapy and rehab, Bachman should be able to compete at a collegiate level. He is looking forward to competing as if he never had an ACL tear.

The choice to play and hold off on surgery was “One of the best decisions I ever made,” assured Bachman. Kremchek acknolweged that Bachman exceeded even his expectations. Bachman went on, “Thanks to my terrific parents, teammates, coaches, trainer Katie Smith… a lot of prayers and everyone associated with the athletic program at Piqua High School — and especially Dr. Kremchek and his staff, I can now rehab and hopefully be able to play at the next level.”

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