ACL Surgery

Stokely · Oct 9, 2010

I tore my ACL and meniscus skating a concrete park in Queenstown, New Zealand January of this year. Had surgery last week. My wife and I had been travelling for a while so I put it off as long as I could. They used my hamstring to reconstruct the ACL and were able to sew my meniscus, which was a good thing. They often have to shave parts of it off. My surgeon is a family friend and well qualified. I can already put weight on it and have 90 degree range of motion when doing PT, which I do roughly 3 times a day.

Has anyone had ACL surgery? Experiences? What was physical therapy like? Recovery?

Any stories or whatnot would be awesome.

cross22 · Oct 9, 2010

First, make sure you understand your surgeon's rehab protocol and follow it. Rehab protocols can vary based on what graft was used, what fixation devices were used, etc. So the protocol for a different surgeon that you may hear about or see on the net may not be appropriate. You need to focus on getting your extension back as it is the most critical part of regaining full functionality. Bust your ass in rehab and make prone hangs your new best friend. STAY AWAY FROM OPEN CHAIN EXERCISES, even if an idiot physiotherapist tells you to do them. They will stretch your new acl and cause instability. Typically, you can go back to sports in 6 months, competitively in one year, and be back to almost normal physically and mentally in about 1.5-2 years. As for stories and what not, here are about a billion of them (look in the post-op diaries): http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEtalk/index.php#8

relax99 · Oct 9, 2010

I've torn both of my acls playing lacrosse and the best advice I can give is to really put the time in at rehab. Like Cross said extension is very important because while you focus on increasing your ROM you lose a few degrees of extension if you don't pay attention to it. I went back to competitive play 7 months after my first surgery and tore the second one so I might have been predisposed, but just make sure you are confident before doing anything potentially dangerous. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask.

Stokely · Oct 9, 2010

I was able to, somewhat force, my leg straight in PT yesterday. I'm a few degrees shy while relaxed. Lots of prone hangs for me. I'm terrified of not getting extension back, so I'm acting accordingly. Thanks guys.

Relax- 7 months? What's your sport?

relax99 · Oct 9, 2010

I play lacrosse

asdf · Oct 10, 2010

I tore my ACL and MCL, and had a buckethandle meniscus tear (ski racing). Had it fixed with a patellar graft, and they had to cut out about 20% of my meniscus. I'd say this is pretty accurate:

Originally Posted by cross22

Typically, you can go back to sports in 6 months, competitively in one year, and be back to almost normal physically and mentally in about 1.5-2 years.

And I would also +1 the "stay away from open chain exercises".

My recovery was particularly rough/slow because the anchor in my tibia was really really irritating the bursae (?) where my hamstring attaches so I pretty much couldn't use my hamstring for about 12 months post-op, until I went in again and they pulled the anchor out.

Stokely · Oct 11, 2010

Thanks for the help all.

Full extension, passive riding, redeveloping my quad on schedule.

Six months. ****. No whining though, could be worse.

Timbaland · Oct 11, 2010

Never tore the ACL myself but have had a few friends who did. They got achilles tendons from cadavers as replacements. Keep up with your rehab man. One of my friends didn't as he tore it in college and was busy with a lot of crap and scar tissue built up in his knee. He had to go through a lot more PT and other stuff to work that out. Good luck.

qwertyzap · Oct 20, 2010

I've torn my meniscus before (relatively simple PT) and 2 years ago I tore my MPFL, or something like that, I can't remember anymore -- its the ligament that holds the kneecap in place. Either way, I had to go through arthoscopic surgery and the PT was identical to ACL. I highly recommend you keep up with the PT, it makes all the difference in the world. Quad strength is the biggest issue -- you'll want to ride a stationary (or real) bike and increase the resitance and do a lot of bodyweight squats. All in all, following your PTs instructions to the letter and doing your "homework" diligently should make your recovery speedy & effective.

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