How Biowell helped me return to international hockey after a broken kneecap

My name is Amy Thompson, and I’m a 25-year-old professional hockey player for Great Britain and England. In November 2024, just 24 hours after receiving my England and GB contract, I was hit in the kneecap by a hockey ball during a premiership game, fracturing my left patella. I spent 10 weeks in a straight-leg brace, completely non-weight-bearing, losing all strength and mobility in my leg.

The injury was devastating- physically, mentally, and emotionally. My kneecap was slow to heal, and as I began to walk again, my knee became extremely inflamed and painful for months. I couldn’t train, play, or even move normally, and my energy levels and motivation took a huge hit. My career had just taken off, but suddenly everything was put on hold.

My starting point

Before coming to Biowell, I was in a difficult place both physically and mentally. After starting jogging again in March 2025, I developed a grade 1 bone bruise in my left knee, followed by a grade 3 bone bruise in my right knee a month later due to overcompensation. This set me back another 3 months until I could run again. I felt trapped in a cycle of pain and setbacks, despite following every medical and rehab guideline.

I’d been through traditional physiotherapy, rehab programs, and medical reviews, but I was limited in what I could take or do- I couldn’t use NSAIDs because they interfere with bone healing. My body just wasn’t responding fast enough, and I was desperate for something that could help reduce inflammation and get me back on the pitch.

My Biowell journey to a knee injury recovery

That’s when I found Biowell in April 2025. From the start, the team listened, assessed my recovery stage, and created a personalised plan built around HBOT, Red Light Therapy, Compression Therapy, and Cryotherapy.

The HBOT and Red Light were chosen to accelerate healing at a cellular level and reduce inflammation naturally, without medication. The compression and cryotherapy sessions supported recovery between training and reduced swelling and soreness.

After each session, I felt calmer, more energised, and noticed a clear reduction in pain and stiffness. My sleep improved significantly, and over the weeks, my legs began to feel stronger, more stable, and less inflamed. The Biowell team supported me throughout- constantly tracking my progress, adapting my plan, and celebrating every small win. 

The results

The changes happened gradually, but they were huge. At first, I noticed small improvements- less morning stiffness, reduced pain after walking, better range of motion. Then it snowballed. My knees began to feel more resilient, the inflammation settled, and my body started adapting to the demands of hockey again.

Even my physios and doctors were shocked by the turnaround- the speed of bone recovery, the muscle development, and how quickly I could return to full training. After months of frustration, I was finally back playing at an international level and competing in the Premiership just 10 months post-injury.

Reflection on my knee injury recovery

This whole journey has completely changed how I think about recovery. After breaking my kneecap and spending months unable to walk, I honestly didn’t know if I’d ever get back to the level I was at. The setbacks, the pain, and the mental strain were some of the hardest challenges I’ve ever faced.

Getting back to full international training for Great Britain less than a year after such a severe injury still feels surreal. It’s shown me how much more effective recovery can be when you combine the right technology with consistency and trust in the process.  

For athletes or anyone struggling with chronic pain or slow healing, I’d say don’t underestimate the impact of targeted therapies like HBOT and Red Light. These therapies allowed me to return stronger, more resilient, and more aware of how my body responds to stress. 

My first international cap will always be a testament to the recovery journey Biowell made possible. I will be forever grateful for the role they played in getting me back to doing what I love. There is no way I’d be where I am without them.