On March 3, 2011 Nick Malceski’s standout preseason was cut short by a second anterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee.
Like he had done in 2008, Maleceski elected to undergo a LARS reconstruction, in a bid return to the field well before the 12 month recuperation period for traditional reconstruction surgery.
Swans physiotherapist Matt Cameron said Malceski’s previous experience with a LARS reconstruction rehabilitation, meant a much speedier process the second time around.
“We’ve been able to progress Nick through the rehab more quickly this time because he’s had the surgery before,” Cameron said.
“That meant no new holes had to be drilled in his bone and there was far less surgical trauma to overcome this time.
“The fact that he’s been through it before also meant that Nick had less of a mental hurdle to overcome. Any trepidation he felt in the rehab phase was much less than last time."
Seventy-nine days on from his surgery, and eight days on from his return to football in the Swans Reserves, Malceski will run out for the Swans big clash against Hawthorn at the SCG on Sunday.
The below photos chart Malceski’s remarkable recovery back to elite football.
Always buoyant about a speedy recovery, Malceski was back on his feet in no time and was attending a TeamSWANS school visit just three days after his surgery.
Fourteen days after surgery, Malceski hit the exercise bike, strengthening his knee.
From the bike, Malceski progressed to the AlterG, a treadmill which reduces the impact on a players legs.
Less than four weeks after surgery, Malceski took to Lakeside Oval and commenced outdoor running.
Agility training was introduced to the dashing defenders recovery regime on day 33 of his recovery.
On April 20, Malceski was photographed doing fitness and sprint work along the wing of the SCG.
Malceski commenced small group skills on April 25, and four days later, donned the bright green runners shirt for the Swans Reserves clash with Tuggeranong at Lakeside Oval.
Malceski commenced full training with the Swans squad on May 3 (main article photo) and by Saturday May 14 he had made a successful return to the football field, playing three quarters in the Swans Reserves big win over the Gold Coast.
On Sunday, he completes another remarkable recovery from injury.
