In a recent appearance on the Sidetracked with Annie and Nick podcast, Sam Smith opened up about a harrowing skiing accident that left them unable to walk for an entire month.
The 32-year-old Grammy-winning artist shared that they suffered a severe tear to their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a skiing trip earlier this year. Smith, who was spotted wearing a knee brace in New York City back in January, described the ordeal as both physically and emotionally challenging.
“I completely ripped my ACL,” Smith recounted. “I was skiing and, admittedly, acted recklessly by attempting a black slope on just my second day. The injury was so severe that I was transported off the mountain in a blood bag. It was the worst experience and, unfortunately, it’s a permanent issue.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, an ACL injury involves a tear or sprain of the anterior cruciate ligament, which is crucial for connecting the thigh bone (femur) to the shinbone (tibia) and plays a key role in movement.
Smith explained further, “The ACL is essential for activities like jumping and springing. Mine was completely torn, and I chose to avoid surgery. As a result, I couldn’t walk on my leg for a month, which was incredibly distressing.”
This experience marked the first time Smith was immobilized and grappling with significant weight gain, leading to heightened anxiety. “It was a wake-up call for me,” Smith admitted. “I used it as an opportunity to get my life back on track and regain control.”
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