By Joan Tupponce 

Taylor McCall was swiftly dodging her defender during lacrosse practice at William & Mary in March 2025 when she felt and heard a pop in her leg. 

She immediately knew that pop was her ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), one of the major ligaments that helps with rotational stability. The sudden pivot while dodging another player is one way to cause the injury. 

At first, Taylor was in shock and disbelief. Then, reality set in. Her mind started running through scary scenarios like frames on a movie reel. 

“I immediately started thinking about whether I would be able to play again, how long recovery would take, and if I would be the same player as I was before surgery again,” said Taylor, a junior at the university majoring in human health and physiology on the pre-med track. 

Taylor’s athletic trainer looked to Ian MacLean, M.D., an orthopaedic sports medicine specialist based in Williamsburg at VCU Health at William & Mary, to evaluate the extent of her injury. The clinic is located close to campus and serves the entire greater Williamsburg community. VCU Health is also the official healthcare partner of William & Mary. 

“Dr. MacLean guided me through the next steps for treatment and recovery,” Taylor said. “Throughout the injury recovery, he checked in on my progress, answered questions and made sure I understood what to expect during recovery.” 

A year later, Taylor was back on the field and made it on the elite Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) All-Rookie team – thanks to the work of MacLean and the sports medicine team at VCU Health. They provide orthopedic care to athletes from several professional and collegiate teams, as well as local high schools.   

“We innately understand the challenges and demands experienced by high-level athletes working back towards competition. We know when to push to expedite return vs. when caution is a better approach,” MacLean said. 

From the clinic to the sidelines: Healthcare for the entire Williamsburg community 

The multi-disciplinary care team at VCU Health at William & Mary sees patients of all ages, ranging from kids and young adults to retirees. With specialists in bariatric surgery, neurosurgery, cardiology and urogynecology, their expertise runs the gambit for those living in and around Williamsburg. 

The clinic's sports medicine and orthopaedic care teams treat William & Mary athletes, patients involved in recreational sports and even people who fell or had an unfortunate accident. They cover a wide range of injuries, including foot and ankle, hand, elbow and joint replacement, in addition to conditions related to the knee, shoulder and hip. These specialists are also a part of VCU Medical Center’s orthopaedics program, which is nationally recognized for providing high-quality patient care.

Making the CAA All-Rookie team after going through such a big injury was really rewarding... It reminded me that even after setbacks, you can still come back strong and achieve your goals. 

Taylor McCall, VCU Health patient 

When it comes to ACL injuries, MacLean notes they are fairly common for Division 1 athletes, like Taylor. 

“We see ACL tears in sports such as lacrosse, football and soccer,” he said. “Athletes with complete ruptures have to go in for ACL reconstruction. That has a lengthy recovery process that includes rehabilitation. Mentally that’s hard for athletes.” 

MacLean and his Williamsburg clinic colleague Meghan Richardson, M.D., balance seeing patients during the week and being on the sidelines for the Tribe. 

“We are at every football and basketball game as well as men’s and women’s soccer and volleyball,” MacLean said, adding they also cover women’s lacrosse, field hockey and gymnastics. “It keeps us busy and occupied.” 

A dedicated sports lover, MacLean considers working on the sidelines to be an added plus to his career. 

“Athletes are great people to work with,” he said. “They have a great deal of motivation to get back to the sport, so they put in the work.” 

Recovering from ACL injuries takes teamwork 

It was difficult at first for Taylor to accept that the sport she loves, one that she’s played for eight years with two of those at William & Mary, was getting taken away from her. 

“I originally felt frustrated and disappointed, especially knowing recovery would take time,” she said. “But over time, I learned that staying positive and celebrating small victories makes the recovery process so much easier.” 

Taylor had her surgery with MacLean at the VCU Health Ambulatory Surgery Center at Short Pump in April 2025. MacLean uses minimally invasive surgical techniques, along with a multi-layered pain management plan, to help his patients recover and get back on their feet more quickly. With this approach, Taylor was able to go home the same day as the surgery. 

“The ACL has to be reconstructed using another tendon. In the case of high-level athletes, this is most commonly done with the central third of their own patellar tendon,” MacLean said. “This is harvested through a small incision. The rest of the surgery is then done arthroscopically through a couple of small poke holes around the knee. In the case of elite collegiate or professional athletes, we will also discuss a small additional procedure, called a Lateral Extra-articular Tenodesis, which has been shown to decrease the risk of ACL reinjury.” 

Ian MacLean, M.D., a VCU Health orthopaedic sports medicine specialist, says its part of VCU Health’s culture to use new surgical techniques and the latest research 'to ensure we bring top-level care to our patients.’ (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Being treated at an academic health system, like VCU Health, gives surgeons and providers access to the latest innovations. It’s a benefit for patients and their care teams. 

“It's part of our culture to frequently discuss new surgical techniques and research studies to ensure that we bring top-level care to our patients,” MacLean said. “Additionally, for individuals with complex medical backgrounds, we can work closely with other specialists to provide the interdisciplinary care each individual needs.”   

The majority of Taylor’s rehab was done with her college’s athletic trainer, Anthony Fisichella, back in Williamsburg. In the summer, she worked with a physical therapist in her hometown. 

Taylor trained to strengthen the muscles that support her knee – the quad and hamstring. 

“Along with this, I also did a lot of plyometrics (jump training) and learned how to correctly jump and land. Closer to returning to play, I focused more on agility, cutting and pivoting,” she said. 

“Taylor did a great job rehabbing and getting back to the game,” MacLean said. 

Taylor’s case has been extremely gratifying, he adds. “It’s great to see her back on the field playing. Watching her from the sidelines is really neat.” 

“I had an extremely positive experience throughout my surgery and the recovery process,” she said. “Dr. MacLean explained everything clearly, answered my questions, and made me feel comfortable and informed before and after surgery. Overall, I felt well cared for and supported during my recovery.” 

It normally takes nine months after ACL reconstruction before an athlete can return to the game. Returning earlier can result in a higher reinjury rate. Taylor took this necessary time before she was able to play again. In addition to returning to the field, she made the CAA All-Rookie team, which recognizes the top rookies, or freshman, of the conference. 

Even though she was technically in her sophomore year, Taylor was a redshirt freshman since she missed last season. 

“Making the CAA All-Rookie team after going through such a big injury was really rewarding,” said Taylor, now in her third year at William & Mary. “The recovery process was physically and mentally challenging, so being recognized like that made all the hard work feel worth it. It reminded me that even after setbacks, you can still come back strong and achieve your goals.” 

Taylor McCall made a full recovery after ACL reconstruction surgery. VCU Health’s Ian MacLean, M.D., oversaw her surgery and recovery process. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Do I have an ACL tear? Symptoms, surgery and recovery explained 

How do ACL tears happen in sports? 

ACL tears usually happen when someone suddenly changes their direction or lands from a jump. These are noncontact injuries.  

The ACL is a ligament that plays a major role in moving your knee, making sure it can twist and rotate from side to side. The ACL also stabilizes your shin.   

Athletes, both professional and recreational, are at risk of tearing their ACL if they play sports like football, basketball, soccer and volleyball. Skiers are also at high risk of these types of injuries. 

What are the first signs of an ACL tear? 

Common signs of an ACL tear include: 

• Hearing or feeling a pop in the knee. 
• Unable to put weight on the leg. 
• Immediate pain and swelling for 24 hours. 

What is ACL reconstruction surgery? 

At VCU Health, we recommend patients undergo ACL reconstruction if they want to return to playing ACL-dependent activities (i.e. sports). 

This surgery stabilizes the knee to prevent or minimize future damage to the meniscus or cartilage in the knee. The ACL will be reconstructed using graphs from other tendons. This is typically an outpatient procedure, meaning the patient can go home the same day. 

When can I return to sports after an ACL tear? 

It takes about 9 months to return to recover from an ACL tear and return to sports, depending on the specific patient’s response to the surgery. Physical therapists will perform functional testing on the knee to help determine when the patient is ready to return to athletic activities. 

Why choose VCU Health for ACL surgery and sports medicine?

At VCU Health, our orthopaedics team personalizes treatments and recovery plans based on each patient’s individual needs and goals. From initial consultation through recovery, our team approach ensures a seamless experience throughout your care.   

Whether you see a provider in Williamsburg, Tri-Cities, Tappahannock or one of our other locations, you get the same comprehensive care as VCU Health’s flagship hospital in downtown Richmond — which was recognized as the best hospital in Virginia for orthopaedics by U.S. News & World Report in 2026-2027. 

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