| Author |
Topic: Coming Back after ACL Surgery ? |
ACLrecon
Member |
 posted Apr-26-2007 12:32 AM
  
Well, there are a few things to take into consideration when returning to sports and running after ACL surgery.First is, that we assume graft placement is correct. The chances for this go up as you pick a more experienced surgeon who's had good outcomes. Have 2 things checked for sure: That anterior tibial shift is normal, and that tibial rotation is tight. Successful ACL surgeries seem to reproduce normal outcomes in anterior shift, but tibial rotation is usually never as tight again. There is an experimental proceedure called "double bundle ACL reconstruction" where they drill two holes into your legs with two grafts at different angles - to reproduce the normal ACL's anatomy. This has yet to yield definitive results in tibial rotation, but they're working on it. 2nd Thing, is to make sure you follow rehab to the letter. Muscle strength MUST BE RETURNED TO NORMAL or STRONGER inorder to prevent further injury AS WELL as staving off early arthritis. 3rd thing is, you will have to adjust accord to pain and how you feel. Don't ever over do it, you'll do yourself no favors. If you've had meniscus removed, I would hope that you strengthen your legs to make up for it as well as changing how heavy you place loads on your leg when running and playing sports. Sure....in the short-term, you may be able to run and play sports fine. But in the long term (7-10years+), you may be suffering from EARLY arthritis if you return to sports too early, don't complete rehab, keep a weaker knee, and don't adjust loads to compensate for your knee's current condition.
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ICor1613
Member |
posted May-01-2007 03:52 PM
quote:
Originally posted by skypenny:
I just realized that I was confusing extension and flexion - it is my flexion that got stuck at 85%anyway - what I meant is you don't get the full ROM for a while. I will be 2 years out from surgery this May. My knee still feels "tight" but other than that - business as usual. I would like, however, to hear from others who have successfully trained for a marathon after ACL. What did you do different ? I have been reinjured (non-ACL but same leg) twice in an atttempt to do so, using my same old training routine, and have just sort of let it go at this point. (Maybe it' s my age and not my knee.)
Hello Skypenny and thank you for starting this thread. I had the privilege of receiving ACL replacements on both of my knees in Jan. and March of 2006. Like so many of you, my story has been one of many ups and downs, encouragement and disappointment, successes and failures. So it has been indeed a blessing to read of others who have shared like trials and tribulations on their road to recovery. I was so encouraged as I read of your progress and so crestfallen when I read of first Rojewski and then you being injured. I think many of us wanted that marathon for you as much as you did. I can’t imagine (or maybe I can) how disappointed you must have been after all of that work. But I see from this recent posting, that you’re made of pretty tough stuff. If this marathon goal was to prove anything, I think you’ve already achieved it. I hope we can encourage you as you have encouraged us to achieve our goals as “post ACL runners”, but let me temper that with a stronger desire for you to enjoy healthy knees in the years to come. And having said that, I hope that I can practice what I preach. I don’t know why having both of my knees cut on awakened my long latent desire to run. But when the PT asked me what I wanted to be able to do after my recovery, I said, “Everything” so off we went. My 2 for 1 special added some unique challenges to my recovery, but mostly I relate to what I’ve read on this thread. Within time, I was groping along on the treadmill - rehabbing my lungs together with my legs – and somewhere along the line, I found that I was actually enjoying myself. I lost weight, firmed up and have more energy than I’ve had in ten years. I guess I kind of owe my good health to my bad knees! I celebrated the anniversary of my last surgery by running a 10K and am now training for a half-marathon in August. After that we will see. I want to have goals, but I want to be smart; so I take my training one week at a time. I would really like to do a marathon, but I know the MPW’s are very aggressive, so I’ll take my time. Right now I do about 25 MPW and feel fine, but tomorrow is a different day. I’m 46 years old and everything below the waist hurts at some time or another (it’s not the years – it’s the mileage), so I don’t always know the difference between something I should pay attention to and something I should run through. But I’ll be glad to run along with you thru this thread and share my experiences. Hopefully, you can gain some insight from mine as I have from yours. Thanks again.
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sgao933
Member |
posted May-06-2007 06:53 PM
Hey, just found this thread. I just had my acl surgery (hamstring autograft) 5 days ago, with a small meniscus tear repair. I'm having this soreness in my upper calf just below below the inner part of my knee. It's like a muscle soreness. Is that something that is expected because of where they take the hamstring tendon from? or is it something I should be worried about like a blood clot. It's not really red or anything.
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skypenny
Cool Runner |
posted May-07-2007 09:38 AM
I wouldn't worry about it - 5 days post surgery - you are supposed to be in a whole lot of pain. That's why they give you heavy duty painkillers. Your whole knee has been major league traumatized and rewired and it is tryign to figure itself out. It will. I would mention the calf pain to doc but I would worry. You will likely have many more weird leg pains to add to the list before you are through - but eventually they will all blow out to sea. Good luck. Obey your PT : )
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Riley1
Member |
posted May-07-2007 04:01 PM
quote:
Originally posted by sgao933:
Hey, just found this thread. I just had my acl surgery (hamstring autograft) 5 days ago, with a small meniscus tear repair. I'm having this soreness in my upper calf just below below the inner part of my knee. It's like a muscle soreness. Is that something that is expected because of where they take the hamstring tendon from? or is it something I should be worried about like a blood clot. It's not really red or anything.
I had the same pain, and still do (5 months out), the surgeon didn't know what was causing it. I just do my PT and go to the gym and it seems to get better. Hang in there! It is a hard, hard thing. The good thing is, it gets better and your knee works again! My OS told me at 3 months that I was doing so well that I didn't need to see him again. Just do what they tell you to do and it will be good. BTW, does anyone recovering ever just freak out because it hurts and think "OH my gosh, they have not fixed it!". Just wondering
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sgao933
Member |
posted May-07-2007 07:16 PM
hey thanks guys. And Riley, that's what I'm thinking constantly. I'm always wondering if this is the pain I should be having, maybe I've been laying wrong or doing something to mess it up.
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Riley1
Member |
posted May-08-2007 11:05 AM
quote:
Originally posted by sgao933:
hey thanks guys. And Riley, that's what I'm thinking constantly. I'm always wondering if this is the pain I should be having, maybe I've been laying wrong or doing something to mess it up.
Hang in there! It will get to feeling so much better!
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skypenny
Cool Runner |
posted May-10-2007 07:54 AM
IC or 1613 - I just re-read your message - you had ACL in BOTH knees at 46 years old ! You deserve a round of applause. I am curious - what kind of grafts ? And HOW did you rip both ACLs ? Wow. Congrats on coming back and having the best comeback on the board ! : )
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ICor1613
Member |
posted May-11-2007 09:31 AM
quote:
Originally posted by skypenny:
I am curious - what kind of grafts ? And HOW did you rip both ACLs ?
Just lucky I guess. I went in for my left knee, which I hurt playing basketball (still not acting my age). When my doctor referenced my right knee to compare it with the left, it was worse than the left! That wasn't a huge surprise to me as I had reconstruction surgery on it when I was injured in high-school (by a very rude fullback). I tore everything up in that one - ACL, MCL, PCL, muscle, and shattered my kneecap. I even severed the nerve. But, there was no cartilage damage! Well, they didn't do any ligament replacements back then (at least they didn't in my circumstance), so they just tightened stuff up and repaired as best as they could. The surgeon did an outstanding job though and I finished out my highschool football carrer and ran two marathons (PB 3:05) on the repaired knee. Ah, youth! Anyhow, I guess the repair held up for a good twenty years until it wore out. I'd been having problems with my right knee for a while, but just kind of figured that that was just the way it was going to be. I was actually kind of happy when the doctor diagnosed it as something repairable. (If I hadn't hurt my left knee, I may have waited too long to repair the right.) We staggered the surgeries to minimize my downtime. I travel alot and airports are difficult enough on one leg, but were out of the question on none. I opted for the donor replacements because the surgery was less intrusive and the recovery time was advertised as shorter. The left knee replacement was pretty straight forward but, as you can imagine, the right knee had some minor meniscus damage. They did the micro-fracture procedure (where they drill the little holes in your knee) to encourage cartilage growth. Most of the pain that I've had (which has been surprisingly little) has come from that. Rehab for me has looked like rehab for most of you - good days and bad. So I just take it one day at a time. I'll never see another 3:05 marathon (or a 4:05 for that matter), but that's okay, because I'm on a new adventure now. I run now, because there was a day when I couldn't and there will be a day when I can't. I'm thankful for my injuries because without them I wouldn't have realized that.
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briamarie
Member |
posted May-29-2007 04:08 PM
Hi everyone,I just found out today that I have to get ACL reconstruction because my ACL is "toast" the OS told me. I hurt my knee playing soccer 3 years ago, saw an OS who diagnosed me with a "possible meniscus tear, with ACL/MCL strain". I reinjured my knee several times over the past few years and finally got to see this new OS today. My knee is fine right now but unstable. It locks, pops, and gives out. I'm sure you're all familiar. I managed to run a half marathon last fall but after my latest reinjury 4 weeks ago (my OS told me it is likely that this was when my ACL totally let go) running has been painful and difficult. I'm 21, and the OS told me I'd be 2 weeks on crutches and 3 months recovery all together. He said I'd be able to be active again after the surgery. Those numbers seem pretty optimistic after what I've read on this thread. Are you all glad you had the surgery?
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ACLrecon
Member |
posted Jun-07-2007 04:43 PM
They usually turn out well. Most people I've spoken to are glad they had the surgery:But you need to search and ask around - about your OS' credentials and how many ACL surgeries they've acctually done.
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Foge
Member |
posted Jun-11-2007 04:42 PM
Uggh, i had my acl surgery almost 6 months ago and still have problems with pain. I have to ice it all the time and cant run yet. I am able to ride stationary bike 7 miles and feel pretty good the next day but the aches come back to where i am limping around. I cant wait to run around the softball diamond again!
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skypenny
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-12-2007 09:15 AM
I know 2 people who did not get the surgery right away but ended up gettign it years later becasue their knee was slipping out, causing them to stumble, at random times and, as they got older, they needed a stable knee. I wish I never trashed my knee because I think it it wrecked my distance running. Of course, some other insidious injury could have also derailed me. Also, in the grand scheme of things, it really isn't such a big deal - I can say that now because I have no pain (it takes time) and my knee is very functional. I can do all sports to some degree. Plus, this is what it took to teach me patience. I am so grateful to be able to walk at will without pain and not to be worrying if I am going to fall because of a "trick knee." Also, if I had waited, the OS would nto have been able to repair the ripped meniscus. All things considered, I actually think I am pretty lucky.
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melissam0223
Member |
posted Jun-16-2007 02:24 PM
Hi all - found this thread this morning and can't stop reading it! I had my ACL surgery with a patella tendon graft five days ago, and was NOT expecting to feel as crappy as I did right afterwards - I've never had surgery before (I'm 22), and my body was not happy with the anaesthesia - did anyone else have this problem? I still don't feel fully myself again (have some trouble focusing, things like that) and I've heard it can take anywhere from a few days to two weeks for one's body to process the anaesthesia.Do any of you remember how long it took you to be able to raise your leg while lying on your back? Right now it's a dead weight and I'm wondering how long that'll take. I start PT in three days and I'm excited/nervous - should I be expecting a lot of pain from that? I'm able to hobble around without crutches at this point and have been using my CPM machine daily. What a process! Thanks 
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skypenny
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-19-2007 12:40 PM
Your youth is your ally. You will bounce back faster than a lot of us who have more miles : ) . I felt spaced out for a few weeks after the general anesthesia. Also, I got a weird pinched nerve in my neck that lasted 9 months (ouch). I am convinced it was from being bent like a pretzel when I was "under". I had learned to live with it (it was like a really bad stiff neck) and one night I was reaching for the salt at dinner and I felt this jolt of electricity in my neck and the stiffness and pain just went away in a flash. Very weird. I had the motion machine for the first 2 weeks post op so I never had to trry and lift my leg until I started PT. In any event, it is too early to be leg lifting. It will come in time. You will end up stronger from all the new leg exercises you will learn at PT. My quads are ripped after 2 years of consistently doing my various exercises. Good luck.
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runningfarmer
Member |
posted Jun-28-2007 12:15 PM
Please help me. I am almost 16 weeks post OP for ACL (hamstring graft) and meniscus repair surgery. I have tried to run (unsuccessfully) at least once every week since week 5. I was running 50 miles per week pre injury and now have worked back up to 5 minutes max per run. The eliptical is ok and the bike is a good workout - but boring. Neither one are anything like running - How long can I expect before running without pain? Has anyone had a biodex done? How long can I expect until my leg strength is back to 90% of the other leg?[This message has been edited by runningfarmer (edited Jun-28-2007).]
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1cor1613
Member |
posted Jun-29-2007 09:45 AM
quote:
Originally posted by runningfarmer:
Please help me. I am almost 16 weeks post OP for ACL (hamstring graft) and meniscus repair surgery. I have tried to run (unsuccessfully) at least once every week since week 5.
[This message has been edited by runningfarmer (edited Jun-28-2007).]
Who released you to run at week 5?! I wasn't allowed to break into a trot on a treadmill until at least week 12 (of course that's my personal experience; 5 weeks may be OK under different circumstances). One insidious feature of ACL surgery recovery is that you feel like you can do more earlier than you should. But, recovery from ACL/meniscus injuries require PT and REST. Healing takes time and impatience will only buy you risk of reinjury. Please listen to your doctor and therapist and give that knee a chance to heal. And don't get discouraged. All of us here are testimonies to the long-term success of ACL replacements. But we all have had our ups and downs. It comes with the territorry. We'll be rooting for you.
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sma777
Member |
posted Jun-29-2007 10:44 AM
Im a 40 year old who completely tore my ACL and damaged my medial meniscus back in Jan of this year playing soccer. I had ACL reconstruction on March 2nd along with sutures to repair the meniscus. From my experience it's the OS and PT along with your dedication to rehab that makes the surgery work or not. I've just started light running on the treadmill (tried the track but the knees didn't like it). I'm working on getting my running base established by end of July and will work through August on interval training, fartleks, and sprints. I fully expect to be back on the field mid September playing soccer. You can make it work if you stay on top of the rehab...
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sma777
Member |
posted Jun-29-2007 10:46 AM
Im a 40 year old who completely tore my ACL and damaged my medial meniscus back in Jan of this year playing soccer. I had ACL reconstruction on March 2nd along with sutures to repair the meniscus. From my experience it's the OS and PT along with your dedication to rehab that makes the surgery work or not. I've just started light running on the treadmill (tried the track but the knees didn't like it). I'm working on getting my running base established by end of July and will work through August on interval training, fartleks, and sprints. I fully expect to be back on the field mid September playing soccer. You can make it work if you stay on top of the rehab...
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soccergirl315
Member |
posted Jul-11-2007 10:51 AM
hey all i'm 18 and i'm almost 2 years out of my acl/medial and lateral meniscus reconstruction. i tore my acl all the way thru and had it replaced by a patellar tendon graft and i have almost no meniscus left in my right knee due to the amount they had to remove. i tore both playing soccer of course. i haven't been able to play un til the past 6 months and now i'm really beginning real training again. when i go to college in the fall i'll be playing there so i'm on a hardcore training program right now and to my great suprise my bad knee is holding up! but my good knee is killing me. it hurts twice as much as my bad one and it won't stop. do you think i could've injured it somehow by overcompensating or something? just any opinions would be helpful. thanks!
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1cor1613
Member |
posted Jul-13-2007 09:06 AM
quote:
Originally posted by soccergirl315:
...but my good knee is killing me. it hurts twice as much as my bad one and it won't stop. do you think i could've injured it somehow by overcompensating or something? just any opinions would be helpful. thanks!
Instead of offering an armchair diagnosis, I'd encourage you to go see your doctor - especially before continuing such vigorous training.
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1cor1613
Member |
posted Jul-13-2007 09:25 AM
quote:
Originally posted by skypenny:
... my knee is very functional. I can do all sports to some degree.
Hey Skypenny. How's the hip coming along? Are you running again? I'm still plodding along. My long run is up to 12 mi., but it's slow. I had a little hip "thing" going on for a while, but it seems to be better now. The knees feel great. Still prepping for the half in August and things seem to be on track. I'm starting to get the marathon "itch", but I'll let the MPW's continue to build slowly and see where I am after the half. That will be 18 mos. post surgery. Advice appreciated.
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g3502001
Member |
posted Jul-18-2007 10:02 AM
revision acl - anyone know of a great revision acl doc ? are things done differently in Europe as apposed to the US?Thnx
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cmc78227
Member |
posted Jul-18-2007 11:21 AM
I had acl surgery on may 1st using a cadaver graft. at the moment, i am confused b/c my doctor told me i can start running at 3 months (which i will be at next week) but my physical therapist is telling me to wait at least 5 or 6 months before even beginning to jog. i am a high school track and xc athlete so i dont want to come back too fast and ruin track for next spring, since ive already decided to skip xc this fall. i tore my acl right before the state championships last spring, so i dont want to come back too fast and not be able to make a full comeback next season. i just didnt know whether three months is too soon to start back running or not, and want to make sure before i run again. any opinions about when is too soon to start running after surgery???
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runningfarmer
Member |
posted Jul-19-2007 06:24 AM
quote:
Originally posted by cmc78227:
I had acl surgery on may 1st using a cadaver graft. at the moment, i am confused b/c my doctor told me i can start running at 3 months (which i will be at next week) but my physical therapist is telling me to wait at least 5 or 6 months before even beginning to jog. i am a high school track and xc athlete so i dont want to come back too fast and ruin track for next spring, since ive already decided to skip xc this fall. i tore my acl right before the state championships last spring, so i dont want to come back too fast and not be able to make a full comeback next season. i just didnt know whether three months is too soon to start back running or not, and want to make sure before i run again. any opinions about when is too soon to start running after surgery???
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