Just got back from the doctor's office. We will be doing an MRI this week or early next week. He is 90% sure I will need ACL surgery, the MRI will confirm his examination.

Any of you guys had it done? If so, what's the rehab timeline, etc.

 

been there done that.

all i can tell you is that you need to do the rehab. but the most important thing i can tell you is to be cautious for the 6 months after. No matter how good it feels. ALWAYS were a good tennis shoe, i dont care if you are going from the bedroom to the kitchen.

the first week was a little tough but a little better every day after about day 3. i was off crutches in between week 1 and 2 felt good enough to go to the mall at week 3 and then was emptiing a water bed and slipped on the floor in the bathroom, all my weight shifted to the bad knee, muscle to week to do any good and i broke my knee cap in 1/2 and ripped the patela tendon. 8 " scare and 6 month no weight being crutches, what a dumba$$. this was a "career ending" injury.

if you get the surgery, rehab correctly, use good shoes and dont over due it, you will be in great shape in 5 to 6 months, i know thats a long time but the biggest part is rebuilding the muscle and cordination in your leg after you dont use it for couple of weeks and getting the nerves to come back.

i would count on being off work for a week.

if you are not currently on a weight training or walking program i would start today, even a couple of weeks of working out (NO LEG EXTENSIONS EVER AGAIN) will help with the rehab after.
if you have insurance ask your doctor to subscribe some pre-surgery therapy.

 

Thanks for the firsthand info. BROTHERDAVE.
The doc says my muscles are built pretty tight around the knee now. I cycle between 150 and 200 miles per week. In fact he said that may have saved the ACL from just breaking. I just thought they were being overly cautious with the 4 to 6 month rehab to get back to near 100%. I guess I'd better take that to heart.

Work's not a problem, I'm mostly retired.
How about driving the truck? It's my right knee.

john

 

acl is a real bad one. I haven't had to have surgery on it yet and hope it never comes to that. I have had my mcl done a couple of times and more than one arthroscopy prcedure. Most pro hockey players are out for at least 6 months and sometimes a lot longer. you have to be very careful in your rehab and expect a lot of pain and discomfort. Your having well built up leg muscles will help a lot. I think you're going to have to spend around a g-note for a good brace, too.
Lotsa luck Serotta and believe me when I say I feel your pain. I guess you'll have lots of time to kill on the web site here. Try not to go too mental.
RR

 

A good brace?
You mean for the post-operative phase where the knee must stay straight while it heals, prior to rehab?

Thanks for the advise, I will remember it all.

john

 

you'll need it through the rehab stage so you don't do something like Brotherdave did. It's one of those big huge beauties that extends from mid-thigh to mid-calf.

 

good luck with this.

follow ALL advice on rehab, you don't want repeat surgery anytime soon.

 

Finally made the appointment for ACL replacement. Going in Tomorrow. The doctor says in by 9 out by 4 and home. Probably won't be checking this site for a couple of days.
I decided to use the Allograph (cadaver ligament) and have a meniscus repaired while he's in there.

 

John:

Good luck with the operation.
Shoot me an email with your home address and I will UPS that video on China we talked about. Someone has to be there to receive it.
Bill

 

good luck!!

 

Bill, you've got mail.

thanks again,

john



Thanks Arrbilly also.

 

Definatly follow ALL rehab protocall they give you. The story I relate is in a military physical therapy section, but is true.

I was in PT for some stupid stuff and a man came in who was far enough along in his ACL rehab where he should have been able to straighten out his leg. He could only straighten it out to about a 25 degree angle. When the PT person told him to straighten it he said he coulndn't. THAT was a big mistake. I saw the three other post ACL operation receipiants wince. This was apparently a common occurance. The PT person asked for another person to help and got a board and two straps. They placed the board under his leg and straped it straight. I thought the guy was going to pass out form the pain.

Good luck. Like I said the above story was in the military...they know you can't go someplace else. I think the civilian side you can so they might not be so rough.

 

1depd,

I gotta keep an eye on your posts. Sooner or later I'll get even with you.

J/k thanks for the post, I will follow the rehab and get that knee moving.

 

John, video on the way tomorrow.

Bill

 

I'll be waiting...... that's about all I can do.

Thanks,

john