Anyone else busted their ACL

Glad to hear the op went well. I was driving after about 4 weeks. I had quite bad muscle wastage before my op so when I pressed the clutch (my car has quite a heavy clutch) the pain arond my knee cap ( I presume due to the athroscopy things) was too bad to drive before that. Ask your physio and OS what they recommend but once you can get in and out ofyour car just try pressing the peddles whilst stationary and I wouldn't rush it (as anoying as it is to depend on others).

Last Tues I had my physio session 7 weeks post op. I was so happy when she said I could now use the rowing machine, x trainer, step machine and treadmill (starting walking but she said i can try jogging as soon as I want). I can also swim with a straight leg kick - but haven't been yet as my elbow is still healing. She also said I could use the leg press machine and use one leg. I was fairly embarrased when my leg only managed to do 5KG (the good leg could easily do 60KG). I was getting so bored with the cycling machine but now I can do some more aerobic excercise I am going to go to the gym at least 4 times a week. I haven't really been working up much of a sweat so far but can already feel the difference.
Good luck on the long road to recovery.


Pablo how often was your physio, after mine last Tuesday (7 weeks post op) my next appointment isn't for 3 weeks. When did you stop walking with a limp?
 
Ive just got back from the hospital after I went to see a surgeon and he said looking at my MRI scan my ACL is torn at the top, but during the examination he says he doesn't seem to be as bad as the MRI makes out to be.

But im going to have an Arthroscopy to sort out some bone and cartilage, and to check out the ACL more to see if it does need reconstructing.


He said the operation would be within 6 months on NHS or I could go private with him.
 
Azza said:
Ive just got back from the hospital after I went to see a surgeon and he said looking at my MRI scan my ACL is torn at the top, but during the examination he says he doesn't seem to be as bad as the MRI makes out to be.

But im going to have an Arthroscopy to sort out some bone and cartilage, and to check out the ACL more to see if it does need reconstructing.


He said the operation would be within 6 months on NHS or I could go private with him.
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They'll probably do debridement which is a clean out. I'm two weeks and one day after my arthroscopy and I'm off crutches, driving about and not limping anymore. There's a little swelling still and it gets sore but is much better. I see the surgeon again next week which will be 3 weeks post-op and I'm hoping it's back to how it was before the op so I can start to see improvement. I haven't tested my knee yet, just following physio and taking it easy. All being well, I should be able to start really using it in the next couple of weeks.
 
I was nervous as hell as it was my first ever general anaesthetic but I've had worse dental appointments. Was a doddle really.
 
I've had the ACL reconstruction. I'm only 20, and it was one of the best knee surgeons in the country so recovery was pretty quick. Was back on my feet and walking around within five days. A year later i'm doing pretty well and it feels stable. Running almost everyday, and haven't really had a problem since. Completely tore the ACL when i was sixteen, so had about 4 years of it constantly giving way etc.
 
oneilldo said:
Pablo how often was your physio, after mine last Tuesday (7 weeks post op) my next appointment isn't for 3 weeks. When did you stop walking with a limp?
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This session this week was the best yet and the hardest by a long way! Loads of trampoline work and hopping sounds basic but was f'ing knackering! Began first football specific stuff aswell angled shuttle runs, zig zags etc etc more tramp work then had to run hop and land and stop on my operated knee! Amazed it didn't fall apart to be honest! lol!

Sprinting with ease now too which is a bonus so just need to work on my fitness before I get back onto the pitch!

As for the limp I was probably about 2.5/3 months in before I felt entirely comfortable walking and more importantly running without issue!
 
I'm about a week post op now and have another question.

I am up and walking about without crutches since 5 days post op.

There is however a large amount of swelling on the upper part of my knee.
I've been icing and raising above level of the heart but wondering if I am expecting miracles considering timescale.

Also the leg is very stiff and I'm finding it difficult to do the excercises that the physio specified.

The leg that was harvested for the hamstring tendon graft is almost back to normal already.

Just wondering if anybody has had these experiences.:)
 
scamartist said:
I'm about a week post op now and have another question.

I am up and walking about without crutches since 5 days post op.

There is however a large amount of swelling on the upper part of my knee.
I've been icing and raising above level of the heart but wondering if I am expecting miracles considering timescale.

Also the leg is very stiff and I'm finding it difficult to do the excercises that the physio specified.

The leg that was harvested for the hamstring tendon graft is almost back to normal already.

Just wondering if anybody has had these experiences.:)
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I didn't have a graft, just a ligament fix, debridement and general poke about in my left knee (2 weeks and 3 days now) and there is still swelling above the knee. It's still not as strong as pre-op and there's still pain but I'm not limping anymore. The exercises can be trying though.
 
scamartist said:
I'm about a week post op now and have another question.

I am up and walking about without crutches since 5 days post op.

There is however a large amount of swelling on the upper part of my knee.
I've been icing and raising above level of the heart but wondering if I am expecting miracles considering timescale.

Also the leg is very stiff and I'm finding it difficult to do the excercises that the physio specified.

The leg that was harvested for the hamstring tendon graft is almost back to normal already.

Just wondering if anybody has had these experiences.:)
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Swelling and stifness go hand in hand tbh. The more swollen your leg the harder it is to bend it.
My advice is keep icing whilst elevating (i was using an ice machine and doing it twice every hour - ensure you keep something between skin and the ice water).
Do whatever excercises you can do and try and concentrate on extension as at this stage its more important than flexion. You could also try sleeping with you leg elevated (try and make sure the pillow is under your calf so your leg is straight). This will basically give you 8+hrs of elevation. You could always ring your physio and ask.

tbh mine is still a bit swollen now (8weeks) but most of the swelling went down after 3-4 weeks. The first week I couldn't really do much excercises and then I could gradually do more and more after that.

PabloB - sounds like you'll be back on the pitch soon. Glad everything is going ok. I bet you were a tad nervous the first time you jumped and landed on the operated leg. I have created a calnder to show me when I will be at 8 mths lol so I can tick off the weeks. I am also releieved (if you know what I mean) that it took 2.5mths-3mths for you to walk completely comfortably on it as I was worried my recovery may have been a bit too slow. I have been to the gym four times the last week and I think my limp is mainly down to stiffness of the leg muscles as they will be growing and regaining strength.

Good luck to everyone recovering.
 
scamartist said:
I'm about a week post op now and have another question.

I am up and walking about without crutches since 5 days post op.

There is however a large amount of swelling on the upper part of my knee.
I've been icing and raising above level of the heart but wondering if I am expecting miracles considering timescale.

Also the leg is very stiff and I'm finding it difficult to do the excercises that the physio specified.

The leg that was harvested for the hamstring tendon graft is almost back to normal already.

Just wondering if anybody has had these experiences.:)
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The swelling stays for quite sometime mate I'm afraid! Some good tips from oneilldo though especially sleeping with your leg raised - feels weird but you'll soon get used to it!

Good luck
 
Operation on Wednesday 13th August @ 7 AM


Total cost - £2,565 inc VAT, 2 Physio sessions and the rest.


I think this will be the first time in my life that I will actually pray for real.
 
azza - you'll be fine. They do like to charge a fair wack though. Got some invoices through (luckily we have bupa at work so only pay an excess) and it was £175 for a consultation (that lasted 10mins).

I went to hospital for a consultation with the OS today (I am just over 11 weeks post op). He seems impressed and said that the graft is very stable. I need to work on quad strength,balancing and a tiny bit more on flexion. The leg seems to have got a lot better in the last 2 weeks since I have been going to the gym every other day.
Seeing him next in 3mths and after that its hopping on one leg and some sports specific training. I was at the physio a week ago and tried running for the first time, managed about 30 seconds but I had a lot of pain around my kneecap so need to strengthen some more before I try again.

How is everyones recovery going?
 
Just over 3 weeks post op and swelling is finally starting to subside a bit.

Physio has me going on the exercise bike and rowing machine along with stretches to increase flexion and extension.

I do these each day, luckily there is a gym at my apartment complex.

Also seen the surgeon this morning and he seems very happy with my progress.

Surgeon says he wants me to take things slowly because the knee was so badly damaged.

Feel now that things are starting to progress long may it continue...:)
 
Just got back now.


I have a partially torn ACL, but the surgeon said I shouldn't need surgery on, just need to do loads of physio and he said that the other ligament are doing nicley. Going back in 3 weeks to see him.


Im a happy bunny.
 
I managed an hour of 11 a side last Tuesday and I'm over the moon! Was bricking it at first but knee felt ok and it took a few challenges too.

Following day was chuffed to feel no pain and there was no swelling! Still working it harder in the gym now and hoping to play again next Tuesday for the full 90 mins! Fingers crossed.

I'm now 6.5 months post op - have got to book an appointment with my OS next month at some time so will be interesting what he says

Hope everyone else is recovering well

A couple of rather bad pictures taken from my game last week for my works team against Deloitte the Accountants. First pic - me taking a sliding tackle from behind 2nd Pic warm up before going on!! lol .....To those who are coming back to sports get a sports brace - my one was fantastic! Was grateful for that tackle as it gave me the confidence to play much better afterwards!

footie2.jpg


footie1.jpg


Pablob!
 
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So yeah how is everyone getting long?


I went yesterday to see the bloke and he said that everything seems fine and that I need to start building up my muscles more now.


Because of the amount of ACL I have left, i canny over do it and have to be pretty carefull with what im doing for the next couple of months.

He said I should be ok with whats left but if its gives me any problems what so ever, pain, it feels different or if it gives way etc between now and when i see him again in 3 months time then Ill need to see him asap as it will mean its prolly ****ed and Ill need the op. We had a chat about the op, £5k!?!?, no wonder he drives a V8 Vantage, so if it needs to be done it will have to be NHS as my parents wont be albe to afford that, but he said he will prolly be the one doing it any way.


So its steady as we go now, don't want to be like any of you crocks now do I. :p
 
Still doing ok - but have been playing more 5 a side in goal rather then out field. Going to give outfield a miss for a while as it's too fast for my knee at the moment.

Going to see my specialist on Tuesday so will hopefully go well. Physio still going strong too - can't believe i'm almost 8 months post op!

Time flies past far to fast!
 
Glad to here everyones getting on ok.

I am 4 mths post op and have just come back from sailing. On the last day I slipped and fell over on the pontoon which caused me to flex my bad knee way past what it has been doing. I would walk on it afterwards and the knee feels fairly stable. Got phyiso tomorrow so heres hoping I haven't damaged the graft otherwise it will be back to square 1.
 
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