Severed ACL...

Hi All,

I just thought I'd see who has done the worst to their knee and lived to tell the story.

I was in a parent "tug-o-war" event at my child's playschool just over a week ago
which resulted in my right knee giving way as my ACL was torn from existence.

Am undecided on surgery but the more I think about what I won't be able to do
the closer I get to giving the green light to my orthopedist.

Am going to get physio regardless and work toward a stronger knee before I do anything.

My situation in Japan calls for extra trust in the medical profession and understanding in what is done differently here.
First and foremost is 2~4 week of post op hospitalization.

Well if any of you have lived to tell the tale, I invite you to do so.
I'm all ears...

Bummer about the ACL rupture... best of luck to you. You're right to consider non-operative treatment, since that's a legitimate option for some patients.

It's been a long time since I lived in Japan, and I've forgotten how markedly different some medical practices are, there. 2-4 weeks post-op hospitalization!??! That's stunning: I'm accustomed to seeing arthroscopic ACL repairs done on an outpatient basis, and only 2-3 days of hospitalization after typical open repairs!

Sorry to hear of your injury...

But look on the bright side... it could have been much worse... it could have happened to me!

Being serious though, I wish you a fast and comfortable recovery with a favourable outcome :)

My sympathies. Hope it works out for the best.

Dave

mate i am about to go for my second acl. pm me if you want to know anything.

I was out hunting once and stepped off a tree stump only to rip my ACL. Didn't know if I should crawl to help or shoot myself. The pain was really bad. I feel your pain just reading your post.

I've torn both ACL's and had surgery to repair them both. Shoot me a pm if you need to troubleshoot...

Seth, I am very sorry to hear of your misfortune. I wish you the best solution you decide on using and that your rehab goes smooth.

Its been a number of weeks and things are improving.
But strength is slow to return.
It looks like its going to be a long recovery, i look forward to being able to get back on my bike and work up a sweat.

Did they use patella tendon or your hamstring tendon? That's what happen, it will be weak. Its at its weakest at about two weeks ( about 20% of normal). From there it slowly builds up and I mean slowly builds up to about full strength at 8-12 months. If you do all your physio. Don't rush getting back on the bike until the physio clears you for it, you really don't want to go back for a second (like myself).

Riding a bike is the way my ortho. had me build up my leg muscles after ripping my ACL. It takes some time to recover, but you will get there.

Same, bikes are great for it, its low impact and does all the right muscles, just don't rush into it if the combination of acl strength and surrounding muscle strength is not up to it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dooey

Did they use patella tendon or your hamstring tendon? That's what happen, it will be weak. Its at its weakest at about two weeks ( about 20% of normal). From there it slowly builds up and I mean slowly builds up to about full strength at 8-12 months. If you do all your physio. Don't rush getting back on the bike until the physio clears you for it, you really don't want to go back for a second (like myself).

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No surgery yet, just physio.
I haven't made the decision yet on if i get surgery, but I'd say I'm 80% there.
I am taking it slow but the pace is frustrating.

Keep going with physio and avoid surgery as much you can and if you are not satisfied with the physio results then you can start to think on surgery.
I had 2 surgerys the last 5 years (one was a rupture of Pec. Major). The results of my surgeries wasn't 100% and the post surgery was very painful.

Just got home from my acl, only one night in hospital. Doesn't hurt as much as the first one but they took the graft from the opposite leg so both legs hurt a bit. But I had done big damage to the medial meniscus due to the loose and sloppy acl. Watch out for that.
All the best with you choice. Hope it comes good, which ever way you go

Given that we're some 10 months after your initial post, how are things? Typically, if the ACL is gone, the knee will exhibit less "front to rear" stability of the lower leg relative to the upper leg. The "Drawer Test" is done by physical Therapists or Sports Med MD's to determine whether it's just the ACL or if the PCL is involved as well. If you elected to forgo surgery then over time the PCL will stretch and likely give way by virtue of pulling double duty. I haven't heard whether or not any of the adhesives have panned out but sometimes staples or screws will buy you some time. Hope all is well either way you decided.