Biggest Fear After ACL Surgery

One of my biggest fears of ACL recovery is definitely getting back to full health.  I had surgery on Feb. 15th, 2013 and I am on my way to recovery. I am definitely struggling because I am having a hard time seeing past the present.  I am slowly learning to celebrate the smaller victories as I progress through my recovery and am trying to tell myself that it will get better.  I am quite busy with my job (teaching, coaching) and other things that are taking over a lot of my time, and I am worried that I will not have time to do the physical therapy.  I try to find time to do it, but it is hard to motivate myself after a long day.  I am really trying my best to do my physical therapy work at home.  Similar to you, I tore my ACL playing soccer.  It was in an adult league and it was a non-contact injury where I felt my tibia and femur seemingly go in different directions as I planted. Hurt like madness.  However, I want to be able to play soccer again, but I am giving myself time to get back and be fully healthy.  I don't see myself playing soccer in a competitive adult league until probably this time next year.  I plan on kicking around sooner than that, but not before. I do not want to have to go through this again. Like I said, I'm trying to improve a little bit each and every day so I can celebrate the small victories and not to get too discouraged.

Snowboarding After ACL Surgery

Hey man I just wanted your opinion being that you re-tore your acl. I had surgery July 26th 2012 and I have a snowboarding trip jan 10 2013. That would be 24 weeks exactly from surgery. Right now my knee is feeling preety good strength is coming back and I have been doing light joggin for a few weeks now. My surgen says with the ACL protective brace I should have any problems or risk re-tear it. But my rehab guy says wait 8 months to a year. Just wanted your take on what I should do and how did ur knee feel right before you retore it??? Was it 100% or did it still feel not quite right. Thanks so much for your time I look Forward to hearing from you thanks

After my first surgery I was on skis 4 months post op without issue and then re-tore it playing soccer 8 months post op. 

So my knee felt good but I had not been rehabbing enough to return to a cutting sport. 

If you are a confident snowboarder and certain you wont be dumb and do anything stupid and most importantly your surgeon has cleared you than it sounds like you might be in good shape to take it slow. (note - after my second surgery I was knew I would be dumb and refused to ski for a full year to protect my knee)

Snowboarding After ACL Surgery

Hey man I just wanted your opinion being that you re-tore your acl. I had surgery July 26th 2012 and I have a snowboarding trip jan 10 2013. That would be 24 weeks exactly from surgery. Right now my knee is feeling preety good strength is coming back and I have been doing light joggin for a few weeks now. My surgen says with the ACL protective brace I should have any problems or risk re-tear it. But my rehab guy says wait 8 months to a year. Just wanted your take on what I should do and how did ur knee feel right before you retore it??? Was it 100% or did it still feel not quite right. Thanks so much for your time I look Forward to hearing from you thanks

After my first surgery I was on skis 4 months post op without issue and then re-tore it playing soccer 8 months post op. 

So my knee felt good but I had not been rehabbing enough to return to a cutting sport. 

If you are a confident snowboarder and certain you wont be dumb and do anything stupid and most importantly your surgeon has cleared you than it sounds like you might be in good shape to take it slow. (note - after my second surgery I was knew I would be dumb and refused to ski for a full year to protect my knee)

Playing Soccer After ACL Surgery

I have thoroughly enjoyed your blog and the different little things in it. I am into my 4th week post ACL surgery now and been progressing pretty well.

My main question is about your re-tear the first time on returning to soccer at 8 months. I was told around the same timeline from my therapists. About 6-8 months returning to play pick-up and then ease back into competitive soccer.

I noticed you mentioned about being cleared to return at 8 months. What was the reason for your re-tear, I mean any particular part of the rehab not done well ? or just a return to competitive sport without pick-up ?

Just keen to know so I don't face the same issue. I am gutted to be out of soccer for 8 months and am clearly looking to return asap.

(this guy is pretty amazing - both juggling skills and moving around after ACL surgery!)

My main mistake when I returned to soccer was that I did not return slowly and build up to competitive level. 

I had just finished University and so had spent a couple months studying for finals...once they were over and I was at my new job I went out and played competitive soccer which ended up in me tearing my ACL. 

So I think you have a great approach to start slow and take it easy until you get confident. 

How To Improve Range of Motion After Knee Surgery

 I had ACL reconstructive surgery 9 weeks ago. I have had a really hard time with Flexion...I had to have my quad pushed aside because the initial clamp did not want to take to my bone, so a screw and washer had to be put on. Due to this I had a Charley Horse in my quad for the first three weeks making it nearly impossible to get any bend. So at 9 weeks I am only at 90 degrees. I do my therapy at home, I work my butt off at PT and yet I'm not getting anywhere. I do the heel slides, the quad sets, the bicycle, the hamstring curls, I even have my fiance pushing to get extra degrees. IS there ANYTHING else I can do?? The doctors are saying I may have to go back under and do manipulation... Thank you!

If you still have any swelling in the knee than I recommend trying this method out... http://www.aclsurgeryrecovery.net/21/knee-swelling-after-surgery-my-number-1-tip-to-reduce-swelling/ 

Here are some exercises which it sounds like you are already doing but if not maybe these can help...  

The final tip is a little expensive but it can help with the blood circulation to get better range of motion. You can see it here...http://bit.ly/HIckLr

Hopefully one of these helps. Sorry to hear you have been struggling, if there is anything I can do to help let me know.

ACL Reconstruction after Soccer Injury

I'm so extremely happy to find  this site. I’m a junior in highschool. I play soccer at a VERY competitive level for club & play for my highschool. I tore my ACL this July on the 15th. I am still waiting to schedule my knee surgery *sigh* & have been doing physical therapy and working at the gym. PT just stopped my sessions because I have full range of motion & my strength back. I guess my question is… What is the best graft for me? I’m 95 lbs 5ft tall, speedy & very aggressive outside mid.. I tore my ACL by just simply crossing. I’m leaning towards patellar but I’ve heard about knee pain many years after surgery. I want to continue to play & be active my whole life.

Sorry to hear about you tearing your ACL! I know it can be pretty terrible. 

Sounds like you are doing everything right. 

As far as Pettella vs Hamstring vs Cadaver I dont have a strong opinion or any big insight. From everything I have seen the stats all seem to be about the same as far as long term recovery, Cadaver seems to be able to get people back a little quicker. 

My only piece of advise with that question is its really up to you and your surgeon, if your surgeon does 95% of his surgeries with a hamstring graft than I would suggest you go with what he is most experienced with. 

http://aclreconstructionsurgery.org/

Riding A Horse After ACL Surgery

Here is a thank you email from someone who has recovered well from their ACL surgery. 

Good afternoon, I had my acl in September 2011, falls off his horse in a jumping race. I am 45 years old, I'm a marathon runner, sports practice every day, I had an operation after making the magnetic resonance ie four weeks after the fall. I felt no pain after the operation, I was five weeks on crutches. I started physical therapy immediately for six months and did two hours a day. Eleven months ago today I had surgery, my goal is to run a half marathon, however, has not run more than five kilometers. I still have difficulties and little confidence to increase the pace. I Do five times a week 40 minutes of cycling, and weight and also swimming. Reading your story helped me a lot and all the advice you wrote.

After three months I was riding horse again today already participate in championships without feeling any pain. I'm strengthening my leg daily.

Thank you for helping me without you even know that your blog has been a great help to my torn ACL.