Talk to me about ACL surgery

[Anonymous]

I have a torn ACL (it is a complete tear of the ligament itself) that will require surgery. I am meeting with the orthopedic surgeon in a few days and will get more details then, but I feel sick over it (I was not expecting this result).

Can you tell me about your ACL repair surgery and what recovery was like? I have a busy and active life with two little kids and two dogs. Thankfully, my kids aren't toddlers so at least there is that (they are 6 and 8). I am trying to wrap my head around post-surgery logistics though.

[Anonymous]

my husband tore his ACL. The hardest part logistically was the first few weeks before he was really mobile again. Once he could drive again life was back to normal, but with lots of PT appointments.

After replacement they get you into PT almost immediately and want you to up and moving ASAP. he didn't even wear a brace for very long/only needed to ear it if he was going to be in a situation where he cold get bumped/twist it.

[Anonymous]

I had ACL surgery a few years ago at age 44, also busy with work, kids, and a dog (who was actually the cause of the injury!) You won't be walking your dogs for a while, as they don't want you doing anything that could unexpectedly pull/jerk you off balance. Also you can't drive for a while, obviously.

The recovery wasn't as bad as I expected, though. As PP said, they want you up and walking and active as soon as possible. They don't want you to spend a long time in a big leg brace anymore-- thinking now is that it's better for your recovery and rebuilding muscle if you're not relying on a brace. I think I was in the brace for a couple weeks, including on two crutches for a week or so and one crutch for another week. I had PT twice a week for maybe six-eight weeks? The surgeon told me, basically just follow directions and do the full course of PT, including the exercises at home every day, and you will be fine. He was right.

It did take me several months (maybe 6?) to get back full range of motion in that knee, where I could sit on my heels evenly on both sides. Another thing I didn't expect is that the quad weakness lingered on that side. After PT ended I didn't devote much effort to strengthening it, and I could feel the difference between them for months afterward. Now, several years later, it feels pretty much the same as the other side.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies. The injured knee is on my left leg so I should be okay to drive pretty quickly, right? That is one of my main concerns. I am unemployed due to a recent layoff and am responsible for shutting kids to school and activities.

[Anonymous]

I had an ACL reconstruction about 10 years ago. It was an allograft using achilles tissue, and I've been pretty satisfied with the result. I think it's important to keep moving that knee, as others have said. I started taking the metro instead of driving, but the doctor said I could've started driving in the first week as long as I wasn't taking any narcotics (it was also my left leg).

I think that the hardest thing will be to fit in routine physical therapy to regain your full range of motion. I was going three days per week for a few months and it felt like a part-time job. I was running races again a little more than a year later, but it takes time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the replies. The injured knee is on my left leg so I should be okay to drive pretty quickly, right? That is one of my main concerns. I am unemployed due to a recent layoff and am responsible for shutting kids to school and activities.

Ask your doctor how long until you can drive. Can your spouse take over driving duties for the first bit, or can you ask friends/neighbors to carpool during that time? My mom came to town to help out for a week afterward, and that was great just to have the extra help with cooking/housework/driving.

[Anonymous]

Husband and I have both had torn/repaired ACLs - we both recovered fast and well. He was walking in less than a week (with brace on, but quickly graduated). Worst for me was I got some sort of irritation from the initial bandage but also recouped quickly and to full strength. We both still play sports (without any brace or anything). Would just say DO the exercises etc the docs and PT give you at home and hope you have a good ortho and great PT. Makes a big difference to have a place where the PT is a draw and not miserable. My ins also covered an ice machine which was nice and worth it (we have continued to use) so I would consider even if not covered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had an ACL reconstruction about 10 years ago. It was an allograft using achilles tissue, and I've been pretty satisfied with the result. I think it's important to keep moving that knee, as others have said. I started taking the metro instead of driving, but the doctor said I could've started driving in the first week as long as I wasn't taking any narcotics (it was also my left leg).

I think that the hardest thing will be to fit in routine physical therapy to regain your full range of motion. I was going three days per week for a few months and it felt like a part-time job. I was running races again a little more than a year later, but it takes time.

Wow, the physical therapy sounds intense. Apparently, I also have a never-diagnosed partial tear of the popliteus from an old injury, hopefully that can be repaired as well.

--OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Husband and I have both had torn/repaired ACLs - we both recovered fast and well. He was walking in less than a week (with brace on, but quickly graduated). Worst for me was I got some sort of irritation from the initial bandage but also recouped quickly and to full strength. We both still play sports (without any brace or anything). Would just say DO the exercises etc the docs and PT give you at home and hope you have a good ortho and great PT. Makes a big difference to have a place where the PT is a draw and not miserable. My ins also covered an ice machine which was nice and worth it (we have continued to use) so I would consider even if not covered.

What do you mean, a place where the PT is a draw?

As of now I am at OrthoVirginia in Alexandria and I know they do physical therapy as well.

[Anonymous]

My ACL repair was over 25 years ago. The surgery is nbd. It's the rehab that SUCKS. It's long, and you see such slow progress. Did I mention it takes forever? Like 6 months at 2xs a week. And exercises on your own. So boring. I guess now a days you could liste
to a book.

I also tore my miniscus, which was repaired (not something they often do, at least not back then), which meant 6 weeks non-weight bearing. As in carry your laundry in a backpack to the washing machine, what I called one handed microwave food (couldn't carry anything from one place to another), and other indignities.

And, as much as the rehab absolutely sucks, I promise younits worth it si stick it out. I tore mine skiing, and still ski and can do any other acticitybI want with no restrictions.

Loved my polar ice machine, hated the stupid custom brace that probably cost thousands of dollars that I wore while playing my sport exactly once.

[Anonymous]

I am pp, my big tip for you is to get a step-stool you can put in the shower. One with 2 steps and a landing. You'll need it to shower, after. Place it in the tub/shower, with your leg wrapped in a garbage bag and propped on the toilet. Bonus points if you have a handheld shower head.

Unless they've got a new product/new way to do this (it has been over 25 years!)

[Anonymous]

I am the OP and thought I would bump this with an update. I am 18 days out from surgery and I am on a good trajectory, particularly within the past 2 days. I have spent a LOT of time in a recliner with my leg propped up and using my Polar Care ice machine-- that thing has been a lifesaver.

I opted for the BEAR implant which is a newer ACL surgery. Instead of replacing the ACL with a graft, it is patched with collagen from a cow. The bovine collagen is soaked in your blood and then essentially stitched to each end of the severed ligament so the ligament can regrow. The recovery is slower but long-term outcomes are supposed to be better. I have another 3 weeks in a brace that is locked for extension and on crutches. We are gradually increasing the degrees we allow my knee to flex, but I can only unlock the brace to allow that when I am non-ambulatory.

So far PT is only 1x a week b/c with this procedure you're pretty limited in what you can do for the first 4 weeks (I do the basic exercises at home on the off days) but I will ramp up to 2-3x per week by mid-June.

[Anonymous]

How did BEAR turn out for you? I had BEAR implant 7 weeks ago and I'm really struggling with my range of motion. I'm compliant with home PT, I go to PT 3x per week, following all protocol and aggressively working on it - but I'm only at 65 degrees and it's really frustrating. I'm fit and athletic too. Can't figure out why it's so slow and feeling pretty discouraged and worried about having to have manual manipulation. BEAR isn't common in the area I live, my PT hasn't worked with it before although they're great PT, and my surgeon has only done a handful. Any insight or advice?

[Anonymous]

The surgery is not the issue, it's the never-ending rehab! Also, walking will depend on meniscus dame (if any). If they attempt repair (difficult), you could be non-weight bearing for a period of time (6 weeks for me), if they cut it put, you'll be walking sooner but in the long run are likely to have early onset arthritis.

On to the rehab: multiple times per week for what feels like forever. It's long. And boring. And repetitive. And progress is S L O W. And you have to do it to regain full range of motion. This is where you'll need help and support. Can you hold off on surgery until the fall, when the kids will be in school? Might he easier to get yourself to and from all those appointments