![The Inertia](https://www.theinertia.com/wp-content/themes/theinertia-2018/dist/images/favicon-surf.png?x76911)
Last April, I tore my patellar tendon in my left knee. The initial prognosis was grim and I thought I would never surf again. However, after extensive surgery and countless hours of physical therapy I recovered and was able to surf again. After eight months out of the water, things were finally starting to look normal. Then, I was thrown yet another curve ball.
As it turns out, I’ll be taking more time away from surfing due to a painful and debilitating process called heterotopic ossification. Basically, my body grew new bones in my ligament. But as devastating as it was to learn of the news, I’ve been able to look at all of this as a small set back and use the injury as motivation to return stronger than ever. None of it could’ve been possible had it not been for all the love and support I’ve received from friends and family.