Endy Chavez’s Right Knee ACL Injury

June 19th 2009
 

In an attempt to field a standard pop-up in a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariner’s leftfielder, Endy Chavez, sustained an injury that nearly ended his professional career. Chavez collided with teammate Yuniesky Betancourt as he too, made an attempt for the ball.  Both players became airborne after their collision.  
 




As the Seattle Mariner’s Medical Director and Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Ed Khalfayan M.D., would later explain, the force of the collision caused Chavez to hyperextend his right knee.  He then landed hard on the field.  Chavez tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament, and the lateral meniscus.   He also sprained the lateral collateral ligament and fractured the tibial plateau – the bottom part of the knee.  This was indeed a severe knee injury.  The outfielder’s 2009 season was over. 

 


In a few weeks, Chavez would undergo arthroscopic surgery by Dr. Khalfayan that included ACL reconstruction, meniscus surgery and microfracture.  For that type of extensive surgery, the prognosis was anywhere from 12 to 18 months or more to recover, and even then, any return to professional baseball was uncertain.


Fortunately, because of the surgery, rehabilitation, and his excellent attitude and hard work, Endy Chavez was able to make significant progress rehabbing his knee from this devastating injury.  While still recovering, he went on to sign with the Texas Rangers organization.  He played in their minor league system in 2010, returning to the majors in early 2011 as centerfielder.  He then played in the 2011 season, contributing to, and playing in, the Texas Rangers run to the 2011 MLB World Series.  Endy spent the 2012 season with the Baltimore Orioles and returned to the Mariners in 2013.  Four years after the injury, he is still going strong.

Comments from Endy

"At age 23 when I started to play baseball in the major leagues I felt like the luckiest man alive. I had 8 amazing years playing in the major leagues, and unfortunately my luck seemed to have ended when I was informed I needed to get an operation in my knee due to an injury I received while playing. My world was shattered, I had lost all hope and was convinced my career had ended until Dr. Ed Khalfayan promised he could help me. He tried to comfort me while assuring me that he would not let this ruin my career or my life, he promised that he would operate so that I would make a full recovery.

Although I was skeptical I had no other choice but to trust my doctor and God. As he had promised my surgery was successful and went exactly as he had planned. It was my turn to be patient and work hard, and he assured me that if I follow his instructions I would be playing again before I knew it. I listened to Dr. Khalfayan because he had not let me down and now I wouldn't let him down, I knew that with him and God by my side I could make it through anything. I waited patiently for a year and 8 months when I got the greatest blessing of all and I was told I can play again.

I am so thankful to all the people who helped me get through these hard times. I want to especially thank all the Seattle trainers and the team rehab for helping me with the recovery of my quads. I am most thankful to God for putting Dr. Ed Khalfayan and all the other amazing people in my life, with out all of my blessings I wouldn't have been able to make it through my hard times." 

- Endy Chavez