OT ACL injury

[Fox]

Hey guys, anyone have a repair done on their ACL? I twisted my knee and heard a pop last wednesday, it sucks and yes they tell me my ACL is done. I have no pain now and my legs are strong so I do not have any wobbly knee.

I was wondering what I look forward to for recovery?

I am only 25 and want to play sports again, so it looks like surgery for me.

[randy rickmon]

Tore mine in late March, surgery in mid April, My orthopedic surgeon told me maybe Nov 1st with the xbow, but I'm 52. I would think at your age you could get back much sooner. Physical theapy is no fun but this is what will get you back to 100%. Good luck.

[VixChix]

Do ALL the physio very faithfully. The full repair isn't always necessary - depending on how much is torn. You'll have (or already have had) a scope or a MRI to determine the extent of the tearing.

If you need the full repair (and not just the arthroscopic clean-up) ask about the repair that uses part of your hamstring muscle tendon, rather than the patellar tendon. It's a longer recovery, but usually with better, longer lasting results and less repeated repairs down the road.

10 yrs ago I remember my doctor telling me about the N.Z. All Blacks rugby team and how they didn't repair ACLs - they just did physio and strengthened the joint with supportive muscle. Things might have changed since then.

I'm living with an unrepaired ACL and MCL - gives me grief from time to time (especially for DH skiing) and gives out sometimes, but generally I can still do a lot without too much restriction. I might eventually decide to have the repair but for now I'll put up with it.

[Big D]

My brother in law and another friend just had there surgery a couple months ago. It sounds like 8-9months to be 100% or close to that depending on age.
One is mid 30 and the other is 46 both did it training in mixed martial arts and they are in great shape. One word of advice they told me is the knee is strong after surgery then gets weak for a short period and can be reinjured then gets strong again. So even if it feels good after a few months of recovery be careful. With your age you should be back sooner.

Good Luck

[mikej]

good luck

[Fox]

I cannot even see a surgeon until Sept, so I told my dad I would get the surgery after the gun hunt for deer, at least I may be able to be part of that for the whole week. I just graduated so this would have been my first season with no grief, ha ha ha, if it is not one thing it is another.

[lady bird]

I've had my right done twice. You can live without a ACL, it just depends on what you do and how you feel. I played rugby and and found it difficult while it was torn. The first time they used a piece from my patella tendon, the second time I used an ACL from a cadaver. The recovery using the cadaver was a lot easier. I was hunting a few months after. If you can wait, get it done in the spring after turkey season. You will be good to go for deer season. Do exactly what your physcial therapist tells you, every day as much as you can. Good luck!

[VixChix]

I cannot even see a surgeon until Sept, so I told my dad I would get the surgery after the gun hunt for deer, at least I may be able to be part of that for the whole week. I just graduated so this would have been my first season with no grief, ha ha ha, if it is not one thing it is another.

Are you in physio now? If not, you should be. Get someone to refer you or find a place on your own. Best to have the customized guidance and instruction for what it best to rehab your knee (since each person/injury is unique). It might cost some $, but it will be worth every cent. The on-going pre-surgery physio is important. You'll never get the chance to do the right thing so soon after your injury again.

[Fox]

They told me of a place to get physio, I just saw the doctor on monday. I want to keep this leg as strong as possible as there is no doubt that will help recovery time.

[VixChix]

They told me of a place to get physio, I just saw the doctor on monday. I want to keep this leg as strong as possible as there is no doubt that will help recovery time.

Yup - best to do that as soon as possible (under direction). I injured mine on a Friday, and didn't see the specialist until middle of the week after. When he saw me he was ticked that I hadn't been started on physio already by my GP. I didn't think I could/should do anything since it was still very swollen & sore but he seemed to think it was critical. So, I was off to physio immediately after that and it was good.

[Limbs and Sticks]

Good luck to whom ever is having something fixed


Wes

[Kenton]

My senior year of high school basketball, I tore my acl, mcl, and a miniscus. The best advice I can give you is to listen to YOURSELF. You know how much you can take. They told me I couldn't run till 22 weeks post op, but I pushed my leg to the brink and was playing softball 4 weeks after surgery and football 5 weeks after. Overall, it sucks but you have to do the work, good luck.

[hawg hunter]

I injured my knee in highschool and didn't have it repaired for a number of yrs. I played ball until I was 45. Yes you have to do all the phyiscal therapy faithfully befor and after the operation I was running and playing tennis in 13wks.

[Fur & Feathers]

Had a complete tear of my ACL in 03 at 45. Surgery was done with a few strands of hamstring to make a new ACL. Also repaired torn meniscus while in there. Did the physical therapy religiously and was as good as new in 4 months. Today I would never know it had been damaged. Highly recommend the surgery.
Be careful hunting on a torn ACL. The uneven ground can take a toll. If the knee doesn't feel unstable, you may not have a complete tear. The doctor gave me the hop test. If you can hop up and down on the one leg with the damaged knee, it probably isn't a complete tear.
Good Luck.

[VixChix]

A custom brace is good extra protection for a knee with torn ligament(s).