Please Scroll Down to See Forums Below Well, I just found out today that I completely tore the ACL in my right knee. I'm just a bit pissed about this, as I was considering my 1st cycle. Going under the knife April 2. Any of you guys been through this before? Anything I can take during rehab to speed things up? Also, how long after surgery do I wait before I resume lifting lower body again?
Torn ACL
- Thread starter TA63
- Start date
i feel for you. i tore it 3 years ago. just had the surgery 2 weeks ago, march 2d. first few days were the worst. fortunately my surgeon believes in aggressive rehab so i didn't have a splint or a brace and have almost full range of motion back. on the down side. my quad went from 26 to 23 inches and i've lost 20 pounds down to 200. feel free to pm me if i can answer any questions along the way.
slash747
New member
Had 2 firends tear their ACLs one dirtbiking the other snowboarding.
They were both in the gym 2 months after their surgery doing light weight with lower body. Both were training upper body within 2 weeks of surgery.
Personally I think doctor's always are on the more precautios side for fear of being sued for malpractice. I would start with just trying to do the movements of squats and leg presses without any weight and go till you feel the slightest discomfort.
Is it true that when youre ACL heals from a tear it is stronger than it was originally or is this a myth?
They were both in the gym 2 months after their surgery doing light weight with lower body. Both were training upper body within 2 weeks of surgery.
Personally I think doctor's always are on the more precautios side for fear of being sued for malpractice. I would start with just trying to do the movements of squats and leg presses without any weight and go till you feel the slightest discomfort.
Is it true that when youre ACL heals from a tear it is stronger than it was originally or is this a myth?
Bulldog_10
New member
TA63 said:
And you say it's completely ruptured? Sounds strange to me...If it was completely torn you wouldn't be able to lock your leg out, which makes walking kind of difficult. And the fact that your lower leg is free to move forward relative to your femur would make it quite painful. I'm guessing it's a 2nd degree sprain with damage to one (or both) of the menisci.
That's just a guess, from the information I have...I guess your doctor WOULD know more than me considering he saw the scans. LOL.
WolfPack Charlie
New member
I've torn my ACL in both knees, had the surgery for both, the surgery did not work well for either. On my left knee, they eventually took the ACL out completely after 4 additional surgeries. The right ACL was operated on in November 2002 and it actually hurts more than the one with no ACL. It all depends on how your body heals, obviously mine doesn't heal all that good. Both my reconstructions used my own tendons. You're lucky if it didn't hurt, when I tore my first one I got up after minutes of writhing in agony and popping my knee back in place and attempted to finish my game of football. I took 3 or 4 steps backwards and damned if it didnt dislocate again. I hobble into the emergency room on base and they gave me some 800mg Motrin and told me it was a sprain and ice it!! Gotta love those corpsmen!
Bulldog_10
New member
WolfPack Charlie said:
What do you mean they took it out completely? That's impossible. And technically, it IS a sprain.
WolfPack Charlie
New member
No, it is quite possible. After the initial reconstruction surgery, a "cyclops legion" of scar tissue formed on the new ACL which made my leg permenantly stuck at about a 30 or so degree angle. I went went through 3 more scopes to remove the scar tissue. Every surgery ended with the same fate, more build-up and stuck leg. So on the 4th and almost final surgery they went in and cut out the ACL graff permenantly. I had a 5th one about 2 years ago to remove the screws.
Bulldog_10
New member
So what's holding your leg together then?
WolfPack Charlie
New member
Luck!!
Bulldog_10
New member
WolfPack Charlie said:
Well then...good luck to you...you'll need it. LOL.
WolfPack Charlie
New member
Ahhhh-Fooey. The docs told me when I got out that I'll never run again, and I probably shouldn't, but if I did what the docs said, I wouldn't do much at all. I play softball, basketball, and snow-board. I've had some problems here and there but I'm still walking. Oh yeah, and I deliver the friggin mail too.
There are other ligaments holding the leg together. LCL, MCL, and one on the back, which i believe is the PCL. I cannot lock my leg out, but can walk pain free with a slight limp. I couldnt believe it myself, cause I saw how my cousin reacted to his ACL tear, but it didnt hurt a bit. I actually got back up, and didn't think anything was wrong until I collapsed a second time. There was very little difference in stability between my 2 knees, which the doc said was due to the strength of my quads. At first the doc thought sprain too, but reccomended an MRI to be safe, luckily. Im hoping with some agressive rehab, I too can be going again in 2 months or so.
There is no AS that will speed up your recovery, take it slow. Had my acl reconstructed 5 years ago. You will be back in the gym in a couple of weeks, and sooner for PT. Had meniscus tear operated on 2 years ago.. Knee is now close to 100%. In most cases, the knee will never be 100% again.
Bulldog - The acl is the main ligament in the knee which prevents hyperextension. Ta63 is exactly right about the other stuff holding the knee together. People who have this surgery either tear it completely or damn close..
I have my acl surgery on video, pretty cool stuff seeing the scopes in your knee. Although when they take the scope out and reveals your whole knee skin peeled back. it makes for some interesting viewing.
Bulldog - The acl is the main ligament in the knee which prevents hyperextension. Ta63 is exactly right about the other stuff holding the knee together. People who have this surgery either tear it completely or damn close..
I have my acl surgery on video, pretty cool stuff seeing the scopes in your knee. Although when they take the scope out and reveals your whole knee skin peeled back. it makes for some interesting viewing.
Bulldog_10
New member
Canseco said:
I know about the design of the knee...what I don't understand is, what the hell is stopping his tibia from sliding anteriorly every time he takes a step? Sure the other ligs will help prevent the tibia from sliding posteriorly or laterally...but anteriorly?
WolfPack Charlie
New member
But the angle of the dangle is proportionately equal to the beat of defeat. If you know who said that, besides me, karma for you!
therockrt72
New member
listen to canseco he knows what he's talking about. i've had 5 surgeries on my left knee 3 acl and my medial meniscus torn to shreds, about two months ago i got a meniscus transplant (donors meniscus) and a brand new ACL. your ACL is no sweat to rehab i didnt have an ACL for over a year and didnt have that many problems. Only thing you have to emphasize is taking it slow as possible and if you ever want to do what you once did take care of your self. And if you are like me you would consider playing sports.
therockrt72
New member
listen to CANSECO he knows what he's talking about. i've had 5 surgeries on my left knee 3 acl's and my medial meniscus torn to shreds, about two months ago i got a medial meniscus transplant (donors meniscus) and a brand new ACL. i didnt walk for six weeks because of the Meniscus transplant. your ACL is never going to be the same so dont beleive any of the bullshit people tell you i struck out twice with new ACL's and don't plan on doing it again. your ACL is no sweat to rehab i didnt have an ACL for over a year and didnt have that many problems. Only thing you have to emphasize is taking it slow as possible and if you ever want to do what you once did take care of your self. And if you are like me you would consider playing sports.
canadianhitman
Well-known member
I haven't torn my ACL, but I did have major knee operation. Heed this advice: rehab ULTRA-AGGRESSIVELY! Walk on it as much as you can bear as soon as they give you the green light to take your first steps...it will keep the atrophy to a minimum. Even if this means causing your knee to swell and having to have it drained often...it's worth it.
I tore my ACL and cartilage 3 months ago playing flag football. It hurt really bad at the time and I had no swelling after. I could walk fine about 2 weeks after and thought everything was fine until I tried to run again and it gave out on me.
I got surgery done March 10th. My new ACL was robbed from my Patella in front of the knee and cartilage was repaired. I would definately stay on the Percoset you're gonna need it trust me. When I woke up they had me on a therapy machine that contracted my knee. I recommend this machine can now bend my knee completely in a week. I start rehab next week. I guess I will see how it goes from there.
Good Luck,
Rob
I got surgery done March 10th. My new ACL was robbed from my Patella in front of the knee and cartilage was repaired. I would definately stay on the Percoset you're gonna need it trust me. When I woke up they had me on a therapy machine that contracted my knee. I recommend this machine can now bend my knee completely in a week. I start rehab next week. I guess I will see how it goes from there.
Good Luck,
Rob
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