I have been training for about 10 years now, and I can definitely say I have the BJJ "bug". I have mainly trained in the Army through the combatives system, but I have also trained for about 5 years combined time (at different schools due to moving around) in civilian schools. I love BJJ...it's how I deal with things, and it means alot to my way of life and to my sanity.
Here's the problem: while on a combat mission in 2005 my tank was struck by a huge IED and I was blown from the turret. I flew about 50 ft, and laned on my feet, strangely enough. The impact caused me to break my left ankle, completely blow out my right knee, and cause some cartilage damage to my left knee. 5 surgeries later here I am. I have had 3 surgeries on my right knee, one on my ankle and one on my left knee. I am recovering right now from the last one on my left knee. Between surgeries I still tried to get some training in for the last 5 years. I deployed two more times, and trained during those deployments as well. Since returning from my last deployment, though, I have had a surgery on each knee. Full cartilage and meniscus implants on my right knee and some cartilage repair on my left. I am beginning to be terrified that I won't be able to roll any more for one simple reason: I can't get my knees to bend all the way right now. The main problem is that I can't keep a good base in someone's guard, my knees just don't bend that far right now.
Does anyone have any advice or a story about similar injuries? I am satrting to get depressed!
