| Author |
Topic: Coming Back after ACL Surgery ? |
srunnergirl
Member |
 posted Aug-07-2006 04:01 PM
   
Congratulations, skypenny! 14 miles sounds so good to me! I really miss running. I have another question for anybody to answer. I injured my knee on 7/19/06. My surgery is Monday. It's really strange to me that I'm not in a lot of pain. I know people that have torn their ACL and could barely walk afterward. I honestly don't have pain in my knee with the exception of bending my legs and sitting directly on them. Then I hurt behind the knee. Sometimes when I'm walking it feels like my knee is hyper-extending, but it's not really painful. I haven't tried running since my injury for fear of tearing something else (or done any type of cardio), but I am wondering if anybody else was about 95% pain-free prior to surgery. Maybe it's just because the only thing I've done since the tear is lift weights, so my knee shouldn't hurt.
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skypenny
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-07-2006 04:31 PM
srunner - I bet you did no damage to your meniscus, only to your ACL. (When you sever your ACL the nerves get severed so you have very little pain.) The ripped cartilege is what hurts. Good for you for getting ACL repaired - you would otherwise run a big risk of ripping your meniscus because of the instability. Also, your recovery will be so much easier with "just" the ACL repair. I will be thinking of you on Monday. Enjoy your convalescence ! Seriously - great time to read, watch movies, hang out with your pet or your kids etc. Are you using a CPM machine ?
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srunnergirl
Member |
posted Aug-07-2006 05:09 PM
Hi skypenny. I don't think there was a meniscus tear. He said a possibility, but I really have hardly any pain, so I probably didn't tear it. Well, I hope that helps for a speedy recovery. I was never told anything about a CPM machine, so probably not. Is that the thing that starts bending your knee right away? I recall my brother getting one of those after his surgery.
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niana
Member |
posted Aug-08-2006 08:28 AM
hey srunner girl..i tore my acl on may 2nd 06..i only experienced pain at the time when i fell { was doing taekwondo }had my surgery done on june 22nd....did not feel any pain till then..my doc told me the same thing wot skypenny said..i have not torn my meniscus..only my acl....i also didnt get any passive machine after the surgery but i started doing leg raises etc two three days after my surgery....tht helped me quite a bit when i went for my pt ..now i am almost 7 weeks post op...am doing quite ok...didnt experience pain after the surgery also..the doc used my hammy as the graft....now am riding the bike for like 25 min..doin the elliptical for 15 min and also workingout wid wts ..good luck to u..pls keep us posted wid ur progress.
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runawaymum
Member |
posted Aug-08-2006 10:06 PM
Thats great skypenny. srunnergirl, I was the same had basically no pain in my knee even thugh I had a small meniscus tear as well. Hope your surgery goes well.
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Deluxehorsehitter
Member |
posted Aug-09-2006 06:12 PM
srunnergirl- I hope all goes well with the surgery Monday!skypenny- 14 miles!! Awesome!!! I bet you're looking HOT!!! My PTA is constantly on me to slow down and stick with the protocol, but I feel like I'm back to normal for the most part.I'm looking forward to running again, just find it hard to curb my enthusiasm.
I'm hoping to get my girlfriend into running. I'm thinking that my returning and her starting would put us on the same level of fitness. She's a little trepid about it, she seems to think it is all about pain and masochism and I keep trying to convince her it's not. Wish me luck. Best of luck to all
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niana
Member |
posted Aug-10-2006 07:22 PM
Hey Deluxehorsehitter......how many weeks r u post surgery and wot all is ur PT making u do ???i am 7 weeks post surgery ..was just wondering if my PT is taking things slowly..
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Deluxehorsehitter
Member |
posted Aug-11-2006 04:57 PM
niana-
I had my surgery July 10th, so I'm about 4 weeks out. My PT has me do the following:warmup on exercise bike for 7:00min.
step ups onto 5 inch box (side-to-side 2x15, front-to-back 2x15)
calf stretches
calf raises and one-legged squats on TotalGym(level 7) 2x15 reps each
wall sits 6x15 seconds each
one legged stands on rebounder for 1 minute
standing leg extensions on cable machine- both legs all four directions 3lbs.x25 reps
backward walking on treadmill, slight incline & slow speed not sure of the numbers-4 minutes
after the treadmill my PTA has me lie on my back with my heel on a 3 inch round cushion, she then presses on my knee forcing it to touch bottom a total of 6 times holding for 10 seconds each
then with a 4lb. ankle weight I lie on my stomach with my knee hanging over the table and the 3 inch cushion just above my knee for 5 minutes
I finish with leg curls using the 4lb. weight. My PTA explained that I'll be following a specific protocol that will increase in duration, weight, and reps as the weeks go on. I asked that we do an aggressive therapy, but she seems to be a little trepid about it. Yeah, it seems like we take baby steps at first which is little boring. You're a little further along than myself, is your pt about the same? I feel like my knee is capable of a much greater workload, but I'm going to follow the advice of the professionals and do what they prescribe. Let me know if we're pretty similar in our routines.
Stay safe.
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niana
Member |
posted Aug-11-2006 08:25 PM
deluxehorsehitter....well i think u r doing pretty good....my reconstruction was with the hamstring so my pt is a little different from urs....i think urs is pretty aggressive...at this point....i am doing the following....warmup on elliptical for 10:00min.
leg raises ...15x3 with 4 lbs ankle wt...therer like 5 different kind of leg raises tht i do every time i go to pt 3 sets of 15 each...
calf stretches
calf raises
squats on a see saw thingie..( dont know wot it is called..but its like a platform of wood tht has a beam at the bottom..u have to balance it n do squats on it....i do 40 at one stretch )
one legged stands on a pc of rubber( its like two inches thick 0 then throw the ball to the tampoline and u have to catch it back...4 lbs ball..30 of them in three different directions......30x3
standing on one leg again on the same pc of rubber pulling the band wid the other leg...20x3 then he makes me do a few different exercises to strengthen my hammies..... the days i dont go for therapy i work out in the gym....i do the elliptical for 15 min...then leg presses with tht leg 15x3 with 35lbs
hip adduction exercises on the machine ..there r two types ..each one of i do 15x3 with 70lbs ..then leg curls ..the operated leg with 20 lbs...
reccumbant bike for 30 min.... this is my routine ....i know its pretty boring coz i also think i can do much more than wot i am doing rite now but then i am also strictly following wot my pt tells me to do.i am not a runner like u guys r but did run 5 miles everyday 5 days a week on the treadmill to stay fit ..besides tht i was lifting wts in the gym and doing taekwondo also ....there is where i hurt my self...lol good luck to u and do keep us posted with ur progress....
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Deluxehorsehitter
Member |
posted Aug-12-2006 10:18 PM
Niana-Yeah, I did those leg raises before I switched to the cable machine and were they ever boring. I did the balance board where I threw the balls against the trampoline before my surgery, they wanted me to develop as much strength and balance as I could. My PT office doesn't have the elliptical machine, I'd love to do some workouts on one of those. 5 miles a day 5 days a week on a treadmill makes you a runner in my book. One winter my best friend trained for a marathon using the treadmill in his basement (he was afraid he would aggravate an old injury in the ice and snow) he didn't set a PR, but he did run his third fastest marathon. Are your Tae Kwon Do days finished? I'm curious if an ACL injury is a death sentence for those types of sports. I hope not. From what you've posted you sound like someone who is really fit. If you haven't already heard of it check out the www.crossfit.com site. Lots of great workouts. Best of luck on your recovery. Keep us informed and stay safe!
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niana
Member |
posted Aug-14-2006 07:55 AM
Deluxehorsehitter,I was pretty fit too when i went in for surgery ...was not doing pt like u but was working out in the gym.....i sometimes still feel tht the injured leg of mine is stronger than the other leg..anyways...no my taekwondo days are not finished..it will take me atleast 9 months to get back to it..like in any other sport and i dont want to rush it.....want to go back stronger and healthier.... I did check the website out.....its so awesome.....u know we do some very tough workouts in taekwondo which is total body conditioning..i will tell my master to check this website too..no harm in it....if he could incorporate some of the workouts from there into ours .. I want ot start running too so badly but my pt is i think waiting for my docs instructions..i think since i have the autograft..recovery is a little slow..but then i am happy atleast i can workout on the elliptical and the bike..loll.. I think u r doing very good as far as ur pt is concerned ..i know it gets kind of boring after a while but PATIENCE is the key as we alll know it...so u and me and all of us over there who have had acl reconstructive surgery need to have lots of patience....patience and patience Good luck to u with ur recovery and do keep us informed ..
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Deluxehorsehitter
Member |
posted Aug-14-2006 02:29 PM
niana, skypenny, srunnergirl and all-I'm in the process of moving and my internet will be down 'til the 24th. I don't know if I will be able to stand not reading the posts on this thread :-( I'm 35 days out from surgery now, my PTA said today that I'll be fitted for a "demobilization brace" in the next few days! I can't wait to be rid of this big bulky VANTAGE brace ;-P Anyhoo, everyone stay safe and stay motivated!!! Best of luck to all. Be back in ten days.
Deluxe
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skypenny
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-16-2006 08:38 AM
Hi Deluxe - wow . You are doing GREAT. Niana was right when she said that autograph takes longer to heal that allograph. Also, if you didn't have meniscus repair and MCL injury as part of your problem (it's called the "unhappy triad" : ( ) then you will bounce back even faster. But...a word of caution- don't come back too fast with the running - I did and re-injured my leg (MCL) and ended up back on the cane and on PT for 3 extra months. But it's all behind me now...I just had my 15 mo. post-op check up and surgeon said - looks great. His PT gave me some excellent new stretches for my very tight quads. (PT also told me that while I am training for marathon to cut way back on the amount of weight I was leg pressing at the gym.) Anyway, I ran a slow but happy 16 miler on Sunday with no apparent damage to my recopnstructed knee. Keep doing those leg lifts ! The key to healthy knees is strong quads.
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hhsvolleyballbabe7
Member |
posted Aug-20-2006 06:41 PM
hey! i know exsactly how u feel srunner! i can like walk normal! and i can bend my knee. but i haven't had my MRI saying i tore my acl. they said like 98 percent sure i did though! this sucks tho. im a freshman. and i made JV volleyball and our scond game i was gonna start. and i hurt my knee in pre game. it hurt when i did it but i got up and started to walk normal.i went to get my knee a rayed and they said it has to be my acl. so im pretty much in denial. i just can't believe i tor ei t. cause they haven't comfermed it. this sucks though = /
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OSNitro
Member |
posted Aug-25-2006 09:56 PM
i had a complete tear of my acl with no other injuries. when the injury happened, it killed!!!! but after 5 min of lying on the court, i got up and walked to the bench. i had very little pain afterward, but sometimes it felt like my knee was going to bend backwards. i didn't use crutches at all. i thought i just twisted it or something. i waited a few weeks before having surgery (they recommend it so that the swelling can go down a bit), and the days before surgery my knee felt fine! i could jog and everything, but any twisting or jumping and i could feel that there was nothing stablizing my knee. I got the CPM machine after surgery. I loved it. it was the only time that i didn't have to keep my knee in that damn immoblizing brace!!  anyway, good luck to you both, srunner and volleyballbabe...tearing acls does suck...a lot. but it gets better with time (and patience!)
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srunnergirl
Member |
posted Aug-28-2006 01:39 PM
Hello all! This is my first report back since my surgery on 8/14/06! Just a refresher – I injured my leg kickboxing on 7/19/06. Marathon runner and missing it horribly. Today is my first day back to work as well, which is one week LONGER than expected. My surgery went well. I wasn’t in a lot of pain afterward, and only used the pain killers for 2 days. By the end of the week, I felt pretty good – and even battled the mall to get my nephew all of his school clothes. Had f/u apt. with my OS that Friday and he told me to start PT the next week and when I come back 3 weeks later, I should just start putting weight on it and be able to bend 3-4 degrees to 90 degrees. Well, I fell that Sunday afternoon on my crutches, which landed me in a lot of pain. I was laid up for another 3 days afterward. I started PT that following Wednesday (10 days post-surgery). She had me putting as much weight on my leg as I could, and started me using both feet on the crutches. She changed my brace to give me a ton of movement and about 5 different exercises, which we practiced in clinic. I left PT crying in pain. As soon as I left, my knee stiffened up and I was in UNBEARABLE pain. I cried all day and could not move (the drugs I hadn’t used came in VERY handy). Thursday was just as horrible and literally cried through my exercises and any time I had to move. Same thing on Friday – and even swore that had I known the pain would be this bad, I wouldn’t have done it. Saturday was a little better and yesterday was better yet. Today I am back to work and dreading PT tomorrow. Anyway, that’s my update. I am really hoping PT is not as painful as it was last week, but I’m guessing it will be.
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skypenny
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-28-2006 02:24 PM
Having to get my reconstructed knee bent back to 'normal' over periods of many weeks at PT, was one of the most physically painful experiences of my life (right up there with a fractured root canal and natural childbirth). Serioulsy. Someone who has never been through it can't imagine how much it hurts. OUCH !!! I heard grown guys screaming at the PT. The good news is - painkillers. The better news is that unlike emotional pain- when this kind of pain is gone it is really gone. And it will be gone. Trust me. I ran 19 miles this weekend on a reconstructed knee. Yeah. It feels twingey but when I had this thing rebuilt 15 montsh ago I couldn't even bend it or put weight on it. Hang in there. This too shall pass.
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srunnergirl
Member |
posted Aug-31-2006 02:05 PM
Skypenny, I am so impressed! 19 miles! I really miss running long distances. Especailly now that it's starting to get a little cooler outside. I guess it's something to really look forward to now and keep me focused on recovering. Things are going much, much better for me. I just had my third PT appointment, and my range of motion has increased dramatically (110 degrees/3 degrees). I walk around without my crutch or brace at PT, can do weighted leg presses and ride the bike. It feels great. Especially because I couldn't move my leg a week ago. What a change! I still have problems sleeping with it straight out - I'm still wearing my huge leg brace and end up on the couch half way through the night. I go back to see my OS next Friday, and I'm hoping to get rid of this thing (and the crutch). Everytime I walk by the treadmill at PT I sigh. She told me 3-4 months. I guess I can wait that long. Thanks for all the support!
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AuntFeffie
Member |
posted Sep-02-2006 05:04 PM
Hi,
I have been looking for a place that would give honest feedback and support. I was glad to find this thread yesterday during a very down part of my exercising. Right now I am waiting for my password so that I can send this along. So I will type as I wait.I tore my ACL, medical meniscus, and had an MCL sprain June 4 playing sand volleyball. I had surgery on July 21 (6 weeks out right now) with a hamstring graft and meniscus repair. Non weight bearing for 4 weeks. I started PT 12 days post op but did exercises at home starting on day 1 post op. I have been working very hard at pt 2-3 days per week and alsoo at 2 full sets a day at home. My OS really lit into me at my 4 week check up. I was at -7degrees and 100 degrees at the time. He just blew me away. Now I am 2 weeks away from that appointment and am at -5 degrees and still 100 degrees. Will I ever break through?!!! I am very discouraged, yet want to persevere. I have been weight bearing and practicing with one crutch since yesterday. The recumbent bike has saved some of my sanity, since I can get on that for 20 minutes a couple times each day. Working on inching my way forward to increase bend in my knee. Am I being too impatient? Is the repair a factor here that makes a difference in recovery? I hear of ACL repairs walking within days of surgery. When does one know if scar tissue is a limiting factor? Re: incision care, I have been massaging my 2 incisions and 4 scopes with massage oil each day. I can feel the hardness around them breaking up, but right on top, especially the one behind my knee is awfully tender. I am sure this takes time. Thank you all for sharing your experiences, strength, and hope on this site. This recovery is not for the faint of heart, but it is helpful to connect with others going through this also. Thank you.
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AuntFeffie
Member |
posted Sep-03-2006 02:55 PM
SkyPenny,
When you mentioned pain killers, I wonder what you used. I have been taking 3 advil just prior to each of my workout sessions, but I wonder if I could take something else that might help me push a bit farther. Any thoughts? Thank you.
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srunnergirl
Member |
posted Sep-06-2006 02:36 PM
AuntFeffie:Are you still very swollen? I’m 3.5 weeks post-surgery and still swollen and half of my knee is still completely numb. It’s actually warm to the touch. I also wonder if that stops my mobility. I’m surprised you are still at 100 at 6 weeks. Were you instructed to start doing exercises the next day after your surgery? I also started PT 12 days after surgery, but I didn’t do anything with it prior to that appointment. I’m now at 130 and 2 after therapy this morning. Everybody heals differently though. My co-worker’s son just had the exact same surgery 1.5 weeks ago and they put him in PT the next day. His brace is much smaller than mine and he will be off crutches by the end of this week. He is also 20 years old. I’m 28. As far as the painkillers go – I’m out. I used all of mine within the first 2 weeks. Now I take Motrin all day. My leg aches constantly. I can’t sleep more than 2-3 hours without waking up. I finally decided to take my brace off so I have a little bit more mobility at bedtime, but it hasn’t really helped that much. It’s in constant pain – about a 4/5 on a scale of 1-10 at bedtime. I just have to put up with it because nothing takes the pain away but the painkillers and I’m out. I go for my follow-up Friday with my OS. I haven’t seen him since 4 days post-surgery. I hope I can ditch this huge, bulky brace. It is such a pain. Good luck and keep posting your progress. I hope it gets better.
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skypenny
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-06-2006 04:09 PM
Aunt Feffie - I didn't take any painkillers to get through PT, but PT would get the leg hurting so I but I would take some at night so the pain in my leg wouldn't wake me up. I started with the heavy duty narcs they give you (frankly, I was happy to ditch them - they constipated me) and then I graduated to alleve and then to advil. I am not a big pill pesron, but they are a godsend when you need them - your sleep is key to your recovery.
Srunner girl - you are right that everyone heals differently. Be patient - I know - it's hard. That is what this whole thing taught me - not to force my will and not to try and control everything. I turned my miles log book into a PT book and that helped. I also hired a trainer and built up some upper body strength while I was on the crutches and brace. That helped. The time will pass. You will only improve. Be religious about yout PT. Think good thoughts. I just came back from an 8 mile run. My knee is fine but will always feel tight.I have slowed down but I am just so happy to be out there again. I don't care how many people pass me now when I run.
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AuntFeffie
Member |
posted Sep-06-2006 07:35 PM
Srunnergirl and Skypenny,
Thank you for your replies. While I have many around me for help and encouragement, none have gone through this. It is like I've joined a special club. Strangers will come up to me and ask "ACL?" When I reply yes, they'll point to a knee and tell me quite specifically how far away from surgery they are. I have heard anything from 6 months to 5 years. Apparently it is quite a unique experience and a life impacting one, too. I can now see why.I am not sure if I am supposed to be surprised at my rom or not. Yes, I started the exercises day 1 post op. My knee is still somewhat swollen, at least it does not look like the other one, yet. I am not sure how much of a factor this is. I really hit a low emotional point over the weekend, but yesterday, I figured that I am doing everything that is asked of me, regardless of my OS reaction. I don't know why my knee is not responding, nor do I know at what point I am past these exercises making progress. I wonder if I have already passed it. I will call my PT tomorrow to schedule a consult with some specific questions I have. My PT appointments are the same things I do at home, so I wonder about the benefit of continuing going there (even though I will go back). I did have orthoscopic surgery on this same knee from a basketball injury 20 years ago (I am 44 now...maybe that is why I am struggling a bit, but mentally I forget my age and don't expect it to be a factor. I just want to be active again). Recovery then was difficult, too, with a second scope 3 months later to remove scar tissue due to limited flexion. I did tell my surgeon and PT that from the beginning, but when I mentioned it again last Thursday to my PT, it seemed he heard it for the first time. I am thinking of scheduling my second OS appointment sooner than later (currently the 26th). I am wondering why wait if I will go no further in the next 3 weeks. So, I will talk with my PT tomorrow. Thank you for your input re: meds. I am not a pill taker, either, and I also wonder if I go through a sort of withdrawal late afternoon from the ibuprofen. I am not prone to headaches and seem to get a shower cap one each day around four or so. It goes away when I take my next dose in preparation for my next exercise session. Wow! This is quite something. I do so appreciate being able to talk with you all. I found another thread with some folks and a couple who experienced trouble in the first couple months, too, but it was dated a year and a half ago. Not sure what happened to them, but it felt comforting to know that I am not alone. I was glad to then find you all on Cool Running. I can't wait to get back at it. I know that my whole attitude and focus is changing, prayerfully for the better. I have been doing some light upper body weights, but I think I am ready for some more extensive workouts there to strengthen all around. Thank you for your encouragement and your sharing. I was so grateful to read your responses today.
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skypenny
Cool Runner |
posted Sep-07-2006 11:13 AM
AuntF - wanted to remind you of the obvious - SWIM .... it really helped me get through the beginning of recovery. No breast stroke for a while (ouch) but lots of gentle movements in the pool - and freestyle is good. Before I could get back out on the road or TM I did some aquajogging - that really helped also. You'll get there.
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AuntFeffie
Member |
posted Sep-07-2006 01:04 PM
Thank you; however, my OS said no swimming for minumum 4 months post op, probably due to the meniscus repair. Had an interesting session with PT today. He did some pressure on my joint in extension and flexion. Only I had been doing that prior. It was useful to have someone else pressing (hurt, but it was good, too). Also got on the treadmill crutch and brace free to work on my gait, weight bearing, etc. He told me to go crutch free now, work on my gait. Gave me some orthodics to prevent pronation, which immediately helped take pain away from the medial part of my knee. He also suggested an OS appointment sooner than later. I still have to call. I have been working with 2 PTs at this facility, and I think I will stick with the one I met with today. I am willing to work hard and also be patient. One step at a time. Your feedback is so encouraging, especially as you share about your own progress. Thanks!
Christy
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