Sam Smith has shared the story of a severe ski accident that left them unable to walk for a month due to a torn ACL.
The Latch singer, who uses they/them pronouns, recounted the incident and the lengthy recovery process during a recent interview on BBC’s Sidetracked with Annie and Nick podcast.
The 32-year-old told hosts Annie Mac and Nick Grimshaw: “I completely ripped my ACL. I was an idiot and went on a black slope on the second day.
“I got taken down in a blood bag. It was the worst.” Black slopes are considered expert and usually reserved for advanced skiers.Trying to explain the injury, the Grammy-winning artist said: “It’s in between your bones and helps you jump and spring around.”
An ACL injury involves a tear or sprain in the knee's anterior cruciate ligament, often resulting from a sudden twisting motion.
The Stay With Me singer added: “It completely ripped and I decided to go down the non-surgical route, but I couldn’t walk for a month on this leg and it was awful.
“It was the first time I’d ever not been able to move and I was holding onto a bit of weight. I was very anxious. I’d been struggling with anxiety for years. I used it as an excuse to get my s*** together.”
According to the NHS, a torn ACL usually takes between six to nine months to heal fully, although the recovery time can vary based on the severity of the injury.
Smith continued: “I started icing every morning. I started getting into my circadian rhythm, and a big part of that is light exposure to your eyes.
“So in the morning you’d try to get as much sunlight as you can and then in the evening, you’d stay off your phone and try to basically live by candlelight for the last hour before you sleep.”
In January, Smith raised concerns when they were spotted in New York City, wearing a knee brace on their right leg and using a cane to assist with walking.
