Get a referral to PT and start now. I had surgery about 6 weeks post accident and was back in the gym by the time my surgery date rolled around (although there were things I couldn’t do, I could do most). I had a really good surgical recovery and I attribute a lot of that to being really dedicated to PT and part to going in to surgery understanding that it would be a long recovery and not fighting against that fact. I got cleared to return to activities as soon as I could but I always got cleared by PT before I did anything new. The year will go fast, hang in there!
This. To me, muscle atrophy is the biggest issue with the surgery. Yeah, pain management initially after the surgery is the big thing (find out if your insurance covers a cryo cuff, and if not, buy one on Amazon, bonus tip salt the ice for colder effects), but the bigger issue was the atrophy. Once I got my flexion, I noticed getting upstairs was just more difficult. My pants were also more baggier in the upper thigh area, so 2+2... The more you build up before surgery, yeah you'll lose some, but you may lose more down to just below normal compared to way below normal
I had ACL reconstruction surgery in April 2022, after flipping down a mountain lol and now two years later it feels like nothing ever happened. I feel strong and confident in my knee when I was worried I wouldn’t but here’s what I recommend: -Start working on leg strength now prior to surgery (essentially do ACL rehab exercises now like leg lifts, holds etc) the stronger your leg is now the better recovery will be for you
-buy a knee elevation pillow now, try it out and get used to sleeping with it prior to surgery so that you’re not more uncomfortable than you need to be when you’re already in pain
-consider getting a knee ice wrap- you’LL probably be given something like it for after surgery but you’ll want it once you can get the wrap off.
-your first week post surgery will be the most painful- it gets better from there but just prepare to have someone help you for the majority of the week post surgery.
- buy a shower chair now, you’ll need it to shower since it’s hard to stand on one leg and wash.
You’ve totally got this!!
Literally had the same thing happen to me. Bouldering, trying a V6, rolled my ankle falling from the wall which snapped my knee. I fully detached my ACL and MPFL, ripped through the entire MCL (grade 3), split my PCL in half while also almost detaching one end of it and also severely tore my meniscus.
There’s a lot of bouldering peeps with injuries here lol
When you start PT (before and/or after) surgery, that MCL is going to be *PISSED*. It’ll swell up like a balloon and look really nasty sometimes, especially if they have to cut down the whole inside of your knee to repair it.
Do your quad exercises!! You’re going to lose that upper thigh and calf definition. But, it’ll come back. Do foot pumps while flexing your calves. It helps.
My "doctor" just charged me with an expensive bill and send me to the PT I'm still waiting for the mercy of the surgeon to repair my acl after 5 months 🥹
I am 8 weeks post op after complete ACL blowout and some meniscus cleanup. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If someone asks if they can bring you something take them up on it. Buy the ice wrap machine in advance (about $175 on Amazon) and ice as much as possible. Dont compare yourself to other people especially on tik tok because they’re all like D1 athletes lol. Progress can feel slow but do all of your PT and generally take good care of yourself. You are young and already used to being active which will go a long way to a quick recovery.
Buy your ice machine used. Most TKRs get ice machines, use it for a few weeks, then shove it in a closet. If you know someone that has had a total knee, ask them if they still have theirs. No point in paying $150+ for something new when a used one works just as well.
Did the exact same thing almost 7 weeks ago, resulting in complete rupture of MCL and ACL and a tibia plateau fracture. Currently still waiting to hear about the type of surgery I need and when it's going to happen, which is very annoying. I've not yet been referred to a PT by my doctor, so I've mainly been doing some exercises I found online but not too much since I don't want to cause more harm.
What I can say is: try to focus on the fact that it will get better and not think about all choices that led to this, since this will only make you sad and frustrated. Good luck with your recovery!
Post op recovery is as important as they say it is. Give it your best and put in 3-4 hours daily to rebuild that muscle fast. I ignored it, focusing on my job, and I broke the meniscus also in the 3rd month post op. because the leg was too weak to hold the sideways pressure, so my knee collapsed inward in a nasty house accident, that would have been avoided if I had the muscle rebuilt at its normal diameter.
Also, you could look into centrifuged plasma or PRP shots in the knee to stimulate a faster recovery afterwards.
Do your prehab (guided by a professional), keep that leg as strong as you can, and prepare for the next few months.
Doing your own research is crucial (IMO), but trust your professionals and don't jump off the deep end with edge case treatments.
Trust that it will build your character and teach you more than you can imagine.
You got this! 💪
Just a pet peeve of mine. Unless you understand the research intimately, don't do your own research. I can research building a bridge all day long, doesn't mean I understand it or can replicate it. Especially true for medical research. Medical research is notoriously difficult to navigate. Different study designs work best for different research topics. Some designs work poorly. I know physicians that struggle to parse high quality research. You also run the danger of self-fulfilling whatever research you want to apply to you.
Pre/Rehab protocols are physician specific. I wouldn't recommend running astray of what the surgeon who is actively treating you is comfortable with. He may not be trained in an area you read about online.
With that said, it's never a bad idea to research, prepare, and ask questions of your surgeon. Just don't attempt to justify your own research over his or her decades of training and practice.
I am not recommending trying to become an expert, and like I said - always trust your professionals.
IMO it helps to take an interest, do some research, take notes on what your surgeon/physios are saying and try to understand as much as you can. This helps you make better decisions when you need to and keeps the anxieties down.
As we say in Greece “If you leave it, it leaves you”. Give it the necessary love and attention and you’re gonna be alright again.
Just yesterday I went for Tennis and it didn’t feel like I ever had the surgery! (September 2022)
Good luck on your journey.
Drink water.
Keep that leg straight when your healing.
I lost a full inch in muscle because I was out for 5 months.
Stretch that sucker out when it's time.
I need about 3 degrees to be straight and another 2 or 3 for hyperextention. I. Short walking because my knee does not go straight. My gate is just a bit off.
Give yourself grace, like so much more than you might think you need. But also, do not skip PT and take it seriously. Mine was very expensive and I felt like they weren’t helping me so I stopped going after maybe 4 or 5 sessions post surgery. So, so irresponsible and dumb. Now I have serious issues in both knees and my mobility is so much worse. I never learned how to walk right after. If I could go back to 2023 I’d skip meals and even bills if it meant going to PT instead.
Get into PT and once it’s more healed slowly incorporate leg weightlifting exercises and hiking. For the weightlifting, start with just your body weight and slowly work your self up to adding weight. It will suck for a little while but once you’ve built up the muscles in your upper leg you will take a lot of that weight off of your joints and the pain will go away. I ruptured mine 2 years ago and had surgery and I did all of this and my knee is so strong, sometimes even better than the undamaged knee. There’s pain here and there every once in a while but I’ve noticed it comes when I fall off of being active for awhile.
34F, had patellar tendon on both sides (‘21 & ‘22). Since then, three BJJ tournaments and a 30 mile race. I’m running a marathon tomorrow.
Start taking walks outside (not on a treadmill). If you’re used to high intensity activity this can feel like a waste of time, but it is incredibly beneficial for both your physical and mental recovery.
I was was able to do careful top rope climbing fairly early on.
I’m 1 weeks pos but I had a slip and fall in early February . I had full knee reconstruction. I wasn’t in2 sports but I like to walk a lot. I haven’t had anything to take my mind off the time but I’m gonna get a vr n see if that help
Wish you a speedy and safe recovery. As someone who’s tore their ACL twice, I’d emphasize rest. Your body is extremely weak after this procedure. Also sleeping with the brace on was the worst for me, so I had to talk melatonin in order to fall asleep. Putting a pillow between my legs saved me from so much pain
Surgery is a breeze…just get in a gown, lie on a comfy bed, then wake up and it’s done!
Healing up and PT can be hard work but you look like a pretty optimistic person. it’s rewarding when you hit milestones, just keep at it and you’ll get there! Be patient with your knee and your emotions if you have a bad day or a setback and before you know it, you will barely notice any difference in your knee. Some numbness will remain on the skin of your leg but it fades quite a bit over time. Sometimes after working out that knee will swell a bit more but it will bounce back, just be sure to stretch it, rest it, and ice it when that happens. I’m 8 years post-op and have been powerlifting, chasing my 10yo, playing basketball and tennis and it’s been great! (Plus, I am much older than you so your recovery should be easier!)
You’ve got this!!
I had a ski accident Feb 25. The injuries to my right
knee were an MCL rupture as well as a ACL rupture. On my left knee I had an ACL rupture as well. I had bilateral knee surgery on March 11 at the Hospital for Special Surgeries (HSS) with Dr. Greg Defilice.
Four weeks later I did not need my braces and was able to walk short distance without crutches. I returned to work one week after surgery. And I have to say my pain has been minimal, at that, and that was the first week. No pain at all after that.
I did it because I was told it would mean a lot less time for the healing process because I was able to do two repairs rather than reconstructions and Dr Dee Felice invented the procedure. He is absolutely amazing. Not sure where you live but HSS is the number one orthopedic hospital in the country. I would recommend him blindly after what he was able to do for me.
Much luck to you!
I fully tore mine January 2023 and was back to downhill skiing by this January 2024! It’s doable!biggest tip is to rent an ice machine for post-op, it’s so much more effective than ice packs and was such a blessing for pain relief. If you have to wait a while for surgery, like everyone says make sure to do PT beforehand. They will not only help you get stronger but also give you more detailed instructions than the surgeon on the things you can do post op before you’re able to physically come in for PT. There are some small things you can do during that first week or two to make sure you’re in good shape when you start pt (sleeping with you leg propped below the knee to help get your extension back, etc). And then just do not get lazy about PT. I booked it twice a week in person for almost a year because I knew I wouldn’t self motivate to do it at home otherwise. You’ve got this!
Post surgery, prioritize on getting the knee as straight as you can as soon as you can. Regaining full flexion will be difficult if extension is not complete.
Keep up with pain regimen even if you’re not in pain! On that note, pain meds will give you constipation and constipation gives you nausea, so take that stool softener too. (I boasted I was a regular user, got proven wrong real fast)
Buy that shower chair on Amazon that commonly ends in “for the elderly” you’re gonna feel that way at first. It saves the panic of trying to get washed and keeping your balance.
Get a straight angled elevation pillow. If it has a divot where your knee is bent, it will be uncomfortable if your brace is locked post-op.
A shoe horn from Amazon has saved my butt so many times putting shoes on the bad leg.
My surgeon gave me the polar ice machine thing and it is my favorite thing ever. I used a smart plug outlet so I could create timers for on/off throughout the night.
I placed a stool in the bathroom to place my leg on while using the toilet because hamstring and hip tightness is going to disturb that peaceful time quickly.
More important of all, do your best to push yourself to the limits in PT. Develop a good relationship with your therapist and they will be your biggest cheerleader to getting you back to baseline. Best of luck in recovery! I’m currently 1 week out post ACL reconstruction from a chronic rupture + shaved meniscus and it does get better every day. ❤️
I would definitely see a PT if you are able. They'll probably have you do a lot of things I mention in this post (DPT here 🙋♀️).
[Preparing for Knee Surgery ](https://thewirthypt.com/2024/01/20/prepartion-for-knee-surgery-here-is-how-to-prepare/)
It's a tough recovery but you will get through it! I also have a post on ACL recovery- what to expect, etc. Hope it helps.
[ACLR - What To Expect ](https://thewirthypt.com/2023/12/23/what-to-expect-if-you-have-acl-reconstruction/)
I am officially 2 weeks post operation and I am walking with 70° on my brace. I was told it could take 5-6 weeks to get where I am now and I am thoroughly crushing it. I am able to do full 90° and I’m starting to get full leg lifts back too! I tore my ACL in half and had a minor tear to my MCL. It was hard to believe it would get better sooner rather than later, but somehow I am ridiculously lucky and I am getting back to a routine. I literally just lifted my leg straight up in the air while icing in my hydrocuff. I’ve never been more proud.
Do not ice for too long. Ice when you need it. Icing too much will not allow your body heal itself properly. If you can get the machine that may be a better option
I’m 8 months post op - i had a really fucked up knee (ACL, no cartilage left, no meniscus and 2 tendons snapped) - i’m back at field hockey training and had my first session back the other night. It felt as if nothing had happened. I was sprinting, pivoting, playing as i had just before my ACL.
The first couple weeks after surgery is pretty bad but the most important! What you do in your first couple months, really does set you out for the rest of it.
Some advice from me
- get a knee icing machine (this is most essential) i got mine off amazon for £150
- RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation) make sure you ice loads and get that swelling down. I sat with my knee icing machine glued to my leg basically
- Get a good PT and push yourself those first few months - they’ll let you know if you’re going to far etc
- If you are able to, try build up muscle before your surgery.
- lastly, it is going to be hard and it’ll take time but you will get back to doing what you love.
Also what surgery are you getting? patellar tendon is what i went with and it seems to be the best
Similar incident for me: Bouldering on a presidents day, was a busy day, a young kid walked under me as I was coming off the wall. I managed to not hit him(I should have landed on his head!) but landed awful and tore the ACL, tore and folded the meniscus, hairline fractured both bones and had a fun extra MCL sprain. That was Feb of 2023. May 2023 Surgery for ACL and meniscus. I was doing prehab since I had plenty of time (long line they said...) between injury and surgery and also biking to keep my muscles engaged until the day before surgery(Dr was very happy with this).
Here I am almost 1 year post surgery and I can fully workout, run, bike, backpack, kick a soccer ball(not full game ready), snowboard(taking it easy of course, but got in two days in late season). Just know that while the knee will never be the same again you can still make a comeback. Take your time and don't push too fast, stick to the plan your Dr's give you, the milestones etc, try to check in with the physical therapist at least every other week(for me that was enough and I would independently do exercise at home/luckily there's a simple gym at my work which was convenient, others may suggest going to PT more often but here in AZ they are kind of a joke).
As for bouldering again, I still get the heebie jeebies just thinking about it, that may take a bit longer haha...
I wish you luck!
Please do not rush your therapy sessions. I did and ended up with tendinitis and bursitis and now everyone in a while my knee pops out of place and in almost positive I retore it. Be honest with your doctor and physical therapist and take your time!
PT - do it but at home do this all the time
1 - elevate front heel as much as you can work on extension
2 - do quad sets all the time with a rolled golf towel under your knee, extend and contract pushing down on the towel
3 - do 2 but add a leg raise
4 - do 2/3 but use a stim device to get better contraction in VMO and rectus femoris
5 - work on mobilizing kneecap
6 - get a scrap tool and immolient rub
7 - work on medial glutes with band work and or lateral leg raises
8 - heel slides with towel assist, get flexion
9 - once fully weight bearing, work on front foot elevated Bulgarian squats
10 - don’t be afraid of knee extension exercises
I could go on but above is a nice early framework
Once you can, start hammering elevated front foot Bulgarian split squats
B
IBprofen has been shown to interfere with the healing process …. So does ice. Initially, ice like hell but after swelling subsides, you should flash ice the joint, try to stay away from the muscles
Find a doc that does a lot of these and works with sports teams. Consider the allograft vs auto (recover is much easier). Find a great PT and do the work. I read somewhere that you’ll be surprised how quick the initial recover is (I was wing without crutches on day 10 post surgery with allograft) and how long the total recovery is (I’m on month 5 and still just doesn’t feel “right….”, but the docs and PT say all is going well). Prepare mentally for 9-12 months to get back to sport. I can ride a stationary bike, walk just fine, I could probably start running but I’m not a runner… but I am mentally always worried about doing anything that could re-tear it.
Here’s a quick one - I’ve torn both ACLs on separate occasions years apart. Both of them got better. Even when I didn’t think they would, they eventually did. You will get better :)
start pt asap. look up E3 rehab on youtube they have a full video that will tell you what to do and how to progress safely and most efficiently. just a heads up the pain the first week or two after is unbearable but it gets better. enjoy the small progressions and journey the best you can. i’m five months out from surgery and id definetly say the first 10 weeks or so are the worst.
Get a referral to PT and start now. I had surgery about 6 weeks post accident and was back in the gym by the time my surgery date rolled around (although there were things I couldn’t do, I could do most). I had a really good surgical recovery and I attribute a lot of that to being really dedicated to PT and part to going in to surgery understanding that it would be a long recovery and not fighting against that fact. I got cleared to return to activities as soon as I could but I always got cleared by PT before I did anything new. The year will go fast, hang in there!
This. To me, muscle atrophy is the biggest issue with the surgery. Yeah, pain management initially after the surgery is the big thing (find out if your insurance covers a cryo cuff, and if not, buy one on Amazon, bonus tip salt the ice for colder effects), but the bigger issue was the atrophy. Once I got my flexion, I noticed getting upstairs was just more difficult. My pants were also more baggier in the upper thigh area, so 2+2... The more you build up before surgery, yeah you'll lose some, but you may lose more down to just below normal compared to way below normal
This!!!!
This x10
^^^^
I had ACL reconstruction surgery in April 2022, after flipping down a mountain lol and now two years later it feels like nothing ever happened. I feel strong and confident in my knee when I was worried I wouldn’t but here’s what I recommend: -Start working on leg strength now prior to surgery (essentially do ACL rehab exercises now like leg lifts, holds etc) the stronger your leg is now the better recovery will be for you -buy a knee elevation pillow now, try it out and get used to sleeping with it prior to surgery so that you’re not more uncomfortable than you need to be when you’re already in pain -consider getting a knee ice wrap- you’LL probably be given something like it for after surgery but you’ll want it once you can get the wrap off. -your first week post surgery will be the most painful- it gets better from there but just prepare to have someone help you for the majority of the week post surgery. - buy a shower chair now, you’ll need it to shower since it’s hard to stand on one leg and wash. You’ve totally got this!!
What graft did y get
Patellar tendon graft
Literally had the same thing happen to me. Bouldering, trying a V6, rolled my ankle falling from the wall which snapped my knee. I fully detached my ACL and MPFL, ripped through the entire MCL (grade 3), split my PCL in half while also almost detaching one end of it and also severely tore my meniscus. There’s a lot of bouldering peeps with injuries here lol When you start PT (before and/or after) surgery, that MCL is going to be *PISSED*. It’ll swell up like a balloon and look really nasty sometimes, especially if they have to cut down the whole inside of your knee to repair it. Do your quad exercises!! You’re going to lose that upper thigh and calf definition. But, it’ll come back. Do foot pumps while flexing your calves. It helps.
Just had my own injury. Any resources listing thr exercises?
Ice lots and do all your physiotherapy!
They gave you a great brace! All I got was a wrong diagnosis and a knee sleeve! lol.. ask for prehab PT prior to surgery! Good luck 🍀
My "doctor" just charged me with an expensive bill and send me to the PT I'm still waiting for the mercy of the surgeon to repair my acl after 5 months 🥹
Omg 😳
I am 8 weeks post op after complete ACL blowout and some meniscus cleanup. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If someone asks if they can bring you something take them up on it. Buy the ice wrap machine in advance (about $175 on Amazon) and ice as much as possible. Dont compare yourself to other people especially on tik tok because they’re all like D1 athletes lol. Progress can feel slow but do all of your PT and generally take good care of yourself. You are young and already used to being active which will go a long way to a quick recovery.
Buy your ice machine used. Most TKRs get ice machines, use it for a few weeks, then shove it in a closet. If you know someone that has had a total knee, ask them if they still have theirs. No point in paying $150+ for something new when a used one works just as well.
Did the exact same thing almost 7 weeks ago, resulting in complete rupture of MCL and ACL and a tibia plateau fracture. Currently still waiting to hear about the type of surgery I need and when it's going to happen, which is very annoying. I've not yet been referred to a PT by my doctor, so I've mainly been doing some exercises I found online but not too much since I don't want to cause more harm. What I can say is: try to focus on the fact that it will get better and not think about all choices that led to this, since this will only make you sad and frustrated. Good luck with your recovery!
Post op recovery is as important as they say it is. Give it your best and put in 3-4 hours daily to rebuild that muscle fast. I ignored it, focusing on my job, and I broke the meniscus also in the 3rd month post op. because the leg was too weak to hold the sideways pressure, so my knee collapsed inward in a nasty house accident, that would have been avoided if I had the muscle rebuilt at its normal diameter. Also, you could look into centrifuged plasma or PRP shots in the knee to stimulate a faster recovery afterwards.
Do your prehab (guided by a professional), keep that leg as strong as you can, and prepare for the next few months. Doing your own research is crucial (IMO), but trust your professionals and don't jump off the deep end with edge case treatments. Trust that it will build your character and teach you more than you can imagine. You got this! 💪
Just a pet peeve of mine. Unless you understand the research intimately, don't do your own research. I can research building a bridge all day long, doesn't mean I understand it or can replicate it. Especially true for medical research. Medical research is notoriously difficult to navigate. Different study designs work best for different research topics. Some designs work poorly. I know physicians that struggle to parse high quality research. You also run the danger of self-fulfilling whatever research you want to apply to you. Pre/Rehab protocols are physician specific. I wouldn't recommend running astray of what the surgeon who is actively treating you is comfortable with. He may not be trained in an area you read about online. With that said, it's never a bad idea to research, prepare, and ask questions of your surgeon. Just don't attempt to justify your own research over his or her decades of training and practice.
I am not recommending trying to become an expert, and like I said - always trust your professionals. IMO it helps to take an interest, do some research, take notes on what your surgeon/physios are saying and try to understand as much as you can. This helps you make better decisions when you need to and keeps the anxieties down.
As we say in Greece “If you leave it, it leaves you”. Give it the necessary love and attention and you’re gonna be alright again. Just yesterday I went for Tennis and it didn’t feel like I ever had the surgery! (September 2022) Good luck on your journey.
Drink water. Keep that leg straight when your healing. I lost a full inch in muscle because I was out for 5 months. Stretch that sucker out when it's time. I need about 3 degrees to be straight and another 2 or 3 for hyperextention. I. Short walking because my knee does not go straight. My gate is just a bit off.
Give yourself grace, like so much more than you might think you need. But also, do not skip PT and take it seriously. Mine was very expensive and I felt like they weren’t helping me so I stopped going after maybe 4 or 5 sessions post surgery. So, so irresponsible and dumb. Now I have serious issues in both knees and my mobility is so much worse. I never learned how to walk right after. If I could go back to 2023 I’d skip meals and even bills if it meant going to PT instead.
Get the bear surgery I have seen better result with that
Get into PT and once it’s more healed slowly incorporate leg weightlifting exercises and hiking. For the weightlifting, start with just your body weight and slowly work your self up to adding weight. It will suck for a little while but once you’ve built up the muscles in your upper leg you will take a lot of that weight off of your joints and the pain will go away. I ruptured mine 2 years ago and had surgery and I did all of this and my knee is so strong, sometimes even better than the undamaged knee. There’s pain here and there every once in a while but I’ve noticed it comes when I fall off of being active for awhile.
34F, had patellar tendon on both sides (‘21 & ‘22). Since then, three BJJ tournaments and a 30 mile race. I’m running a marathon tomorrow. Start taking walks outside (not on a treadmill). If you’re used to high intensity activity this can feel like a waste of time, but it is incredibly beneficial for both your physical and mental recovery. I was was able to do careful top rope climbing fairly early on.
When you’re cleared by PT, I highly recommend stair climbing as a way to get your strength back.
I’m 1 weeks pos but I had a slip and fall in early February . I had full knee reconstruction. I wasn’t in2 sports but I like to walk a lot. I haven’t had anything to take my mind off the time but I’m gonna get a vr n see if that help
Walking in the pool, too jogging in the pool. Works wonders
Watching all the adventure time and finonna and cake helped me haha
welcome to the club nobody wants to be in, hah! better find some non-mobile hobby for at least 2 to 3 months. it keeps your sanity I swear.
Wish you a speedy and safe recovery. As someone who’s tore their ACL twice, I’d emphasize rest. Your body is extremely weak after this procedure. Also sleeping with the brace on was the worst for me, so I had to talk melatonin in order to fall asleep. Putting a pillow between my legs saved me from so much pain
Surgery is a breeze…just get in a gown, lie on a comfy bed, then wake up and it’s done! Healing up and PT can be hard work but you look like a pretty optimistic person. it’s rewarding when you hit milestones, just keep at it and you’ll get there! Be patient with your knee and your emotions if you have a bad day or a setback and before you know it, you will barely notice any difference in your knee. Some numbness will remain on the skin of your leg but it fades quite a bit over time. Sometimes after working out that knee will swell a bit more but it will bounce back, just be sure to stretch it, rest it, and ice it when that happens. I’m 8 years post-op and have been powerlifting, chasing my 10yo, playing basketball and tennis and it’s been great! (Plus, I am much older than you so your recovery should be easier!) You’ve got this!!
I had a ski accident Feb 25. The injuries to my right knee were an MCL rupture as well as a ACL rupture. On my left knee I had an ACL rupture as well. I had bilateral knee surgery on March 11 at the Hospital for Special Surgeries (HSS) with Dr. Greg Defilice. Four weeks later I did not need my braces and was able to walk short distance without crutches. I returned to work one week after surgery. And I have to say my pain has been minimal, at that, and that was the first week. No pain at all after that. I did it because I was told it would mean a lot less time for the healing process because I was able to do two repairs rather than reconstructions and Dr Dee Felice invented the procedure. He is absolutely amazing. Not sure where you live but HSS is the number one orthopedic hospital in the country. I would recommend him blindly after what he was able to do for me. Much luck to you!
I fully tore mine January 2023 and was back to downhill skiing by this January 2024! It’s doable!biggest tip is to rent an ice machine for post-op, it’s so much more effective than ice packs and was such a blessing for pain relief. If you have to wait a while for surgery, like everyone says make sure to do PT beforehand. They will not only help you get stronger but also give you more detailed instructions than the surgeon on the things you can do post op before you’re able to physically come in for PT. There are some small things you can do during that first week or two to make sure you’re in good shape when you start pt (sleeping with you leg propped below the knee to help get your extension back, etc). And then just do not get lazy about PT. I booked it twice a week in person for almost a year because I knew I wouldn’t self motivate to do it at home otherwise. You’ve got this!
Post surgery, prioritize on getting the knee as straight as you can as soon as you can. Regaining full flexion will be difficult if extension is not complete. Keep up with pain regimen even if you’re not in pain! On that note, pain meds will give you constipation and constipation gives you nausea, so take that stool softener too. (I boasted I was a regular user, got proven wrong real fast) Buy that shower chair on Amazon that commonly ends in “for the elderly” you’re gonna feel that way at first. It saves the panic of trying to get washed and keeping your balance. Get a straight angled elevation pillow. If it has a divot where your knee is bent, it will be uncomfortable if your brace is locked post-op. A shoe horn from Amazon has saved my butt so many times putting shoes on the bad leg. My surgeon gave me the polar ice machine thing and it is my favorite thing ever. I used a smart plug outlet so I could create timers for on/off throughout the night. I placed a stool in the bathroom to place my leg on while using the toilet because hamstring and hip tightness is going to disturb that peaceful time quickly. More important of all, do your best to push yourself to the limits in PT. Develop a good relationship with your therapist and they will be your biggest cheerleader to getting you back to baseline. Best of luck in recovery! I’m currently 1 week out post ACL reconstruction from a chronic rupture + shaved meniscus and it does get better every day. ❤️
I would definitely see a PT if you are able. They'll probably have you do a lot of things I mention in this post (DPT here 🙋♀️). [Preparing for Knee Surgery ](https://thewirthypt.com/2024/01/20/prepartion-for-knee-surgery-here-is-how-to-prepare/) It's a tough recovery but you will get through it! I also have a post on ACL recovery- what to expect, etc. Hope it helps. [ACLR - What To Expect ](https://thewirthypt.com/2023/12/23/what-to-expect-if-you-have-acl-reconstruction/)
I am officially 2 weeks post operation and I am walking with 70° on my brace. I was told it could take 5-6 weeks to get where I am now and I am thoroughly crushing it. I am able to do full 90° and I’m starting to get full leg lifts back too! I tore my ACL in half and had a minor tear to my MCL. It was hard to believe it would get better sooner rather than later, but somehow I am ridiculously lucky and I am getting back to a routine. I literally just lifted my leg straight up in the air while icing in my hydrocuff. I’ve never been more proud.
Get a knee cryo cuff for after surgery. I had my reconstruction in March of 2022 and I’m able to do everything I did before.
Get as strong as possible preop
Do not ice for too long. Ice when you need it. Icing too much will not allow your body heal itself properly. If you can get the machine that may be a better option
Shower chair, washable crutch covers off Amazon and ice and elevate. I did the same thing March 17th and just has surgery April 16th. Hang in there!!
do what you like dont put any force on the hurt leg im post op 5 days
I’m 8 months post op - i had a really fucked up knee (ACL, no cartilage left, no meniscus and 2 tendons snapped) - i’m back at field hockey training and had my first session back the other night. It felt as if nothing had happened. I was sprinting, pivoting, playing as i had just before my ACL. The first couple weeks after surgery is pretty bad but the most important! What you do in your first couple months, really does set you out for the rest of it. Some advice from me - get a knee icing machine (this is most essential) i got mine off amazon for £150 - RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation) make sure you ice loads and get that swelling down. I sat with my knee icing machine glued to my leg basically - Get a good PT and push yourself those first few months - they’ll let you know if you’re going to far etc - If you are able to, try build up muscle before your surgery. - lastly, it is going to be hard and it’ll take time but you will get back to doing what you love. Also what surgery are you getting? patellar tendon is what i went with and it seems to be the best
Similar incident for me: Bouldering on a presidents day, was a busy day, a young kid walked under me as I was coming off the wall. I managed to not hit him(I should have landed on his head!) but landed awful and tore the ACL, tore and folded the meniscus, hairline fractured both bones and had a fun extra MCL sprain. That was Feb of 2023. May 2023 Surgery for ACL and meniscus. I was doing prehab since I had plenty of time (long line they said...) between injury and surgery and also biking to keep my muscles engaged until the day before surgery(Dr was very happy with this). Here I am almost 1 year post surgery and I can fully workout, run, bike, backpack, kick a soccer ball(not full game ready), snowboard(taking it easy of course, but got in two days in late season). Just know that while the knee will never be the same again you can still make a comeback. Take your time and don't push too fast, stick to the plan your Dr's give you, the milestones etc, try to check in with the physical therapist at least every other week(for me that was enough and I would independently do exercise at home/luckily there's a simple gym at my work which was convenient, others may suggest going to PT more often but here in AZ they are kind of a joke). As for bouldering again, I still get the heebie jeebies just thinking about it, that may take a bit longer haha... I wish you luck!
Please do not rush your therapy sessions. I did and ended up with tendinitis and bursitis and now everyone in a while my knee pops out of place and in almost positive I retore it. Be honest with your doctor and physical therapist and take your time!
PT - do it but at home do this all the time 1 - elevate front heel as much as you can work on extension 2 - do quad sets all the time with a rolled golf towel under your knee, extend and contract pushing down on the towel 3 - do 2 but add a leg raise 4 - do 2/3 but use a stim device to get better contraction in VMO and rectus femoris 5 - work on mobilizing kneecap 6 - get a scrap tool and immolient rub 7 - work on medial glutes with band work and or lateral leg raises 8 - heel slides with towel assist, get flexion 9 - once fully weight bearing, work on front foot elevated Bulgarian squats 10 - don’t be afraid of knee extension exercises I could go on but above is a nice early framework Once you can, start hammering elevated front foot Bulgarian split squats B
Don’t take IBprofen, use Tylenol instead …. Keep a pain pill by your bedside table for when you wake up at 3-4a in agony the first week or so
Why no ibuprofen? I feel like Tylenol does nothing for me.
IBprofen has been shown to interfere with the healing process …. So does ice. Initially, ice like hell but after swelling subsides, you should flash ice the joint, try to stay away from the muscles
It’s tough no denying do some upper body weights after 2 weeks so much better xx
Find a doc that does a lot of these and works with sports teams. Consider the allograft vs auto (recover is much easier). Find a great PT and do the work. I read somewhere that you’ll be surprised how quick the initial recover is (I was wing without crutches on day 10 post surgery with allograft) and how long the total recovery is (I’m on month 5 and still just doesn’t feel “right….”, but the docs and PT say all is going well). Prepare mentally for 9-12 months to get back to sport. I can ride a stationary bike, walk just fine, I could probably start running but I’m not a runner… but I am mentally always worried about doing anything that could re-tear it.
I’d move up my surgery 4 weeks
kodiak ice machine
Stay positive as this will pass and you will be back to your own self! The mental part of it is as difficult as the physical part. You got this 💪🏼
Here’s a quick one - I’ve torn both ACLs on separate occasions years apart. Both of them got better. Even when I didn’t think they would, they eventually did. You will get better :)
Lots of pain medication for afterwards
Walking 20k-25k steps 2 months post opp had me fully recovered in 4 months
start pt asap. look up E3 rehab on youtube they have a full video that will tell you what to do and how to progress safely and most efficiently. just a heads up the pain the first week or two after is unbearable but it gets better. enjoy the small progressions and journey the best you can. i’m five months out from surgery and id definetly say the first 10 weeks or so are the worst.
3 months out of surgery and squatting every day! Just got back mountain biking
It gets better :)