I tore my ACL on May 18 and had surgery on June 18. I am now 3 weeks post surgery and am very frustrated. I think I am on track, I guess. My doctor and physical therapist don't seem to be concerned. Some days I am able to walk without brace, crutches, cane, anything, with a slight limp. Other days I wake up and I cannot walk without help. I feel like I take 1 step forward and two steps back. I have full extension which PT is very happy about. My flexion is about 120. I have had many surgeries and this is by far the slowest and most frustrating of any of the recoveries. Does anyone have anything to share?
The ACL Repair Forum Firsthand accounts of ACL surgery and recovery
About this topic
- Posted by MJIppolito73 1 month ago. There are 10 posts. The latest reply is from MikeM.
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I also have a lot of stiffness still also, especially when I walk. Will this start to subside soon?
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I would take it slow if I were you. Rather be safe than sorry and walk with at least the brace on if you're experiencing these problems. ICE is your friend, use it ALOT. This is a very slow and frustrating process, be patient and continue to work on it. Follow your protocol and don't try to do anything outside of it.
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I tore mine the day before you and had surgery on July 2nd, as I went about 6 weeks before I even went to the doctor thinking I just sprained my knee, so I'm only on day 11 PO. It just sounds to me like everyone is so different. I was at PT on day 5 and they said I was a day late. I've been walking around with only a limp and can go upstairs with little difficulty but downstairs is still a little shaky. It does seem that I do have some days that are better than others. yesterday was tough as I did my first full day at work, and then PT, and then went and watched my soccer team play. When I got home, ICE was my friend.
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Today is day 3 for me. I tore my ACL and damaged my meniscus pretty bad. I played tennis for many years. I had surgery on the 13th with allograft. My CPM machine arrived yesterday and I am at 60 flexion. The knee is very stiff and I have almost full extension. The pain is severe although bearable. I went to PT yesterday and she is working to remove the fluid build up and build my quads. Ice is not helping as it doesn't penetrate the dressing. Vicodine is my friend so far. I am allowed to bathe starting today.
I am hoping that walking with crutches will become easier. So far, it hasn't been too bad. I want to be able to drive soon, one week to 10 days since its my left knee. I am 56 and want to go back to tennis courts in 6 months. Don't know if its realistic goal or not.
Any comments from anyone who has gone through this before? Thanks.
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Nightowl0903,
I 40 yrs old and I am now 25 weeks (6months 1week) post op. My graft choice was a B-PT-B autograft from my injured left knee and I was back to playing tennis at 4.5 months. Of course, it was slow with no real cutting, but I was back on the courts at that time. Today, I can play full out with no real limitations from the ACL reconstruction and my skill level (4.5) did not suffer too badly from the missed court time.
Work hard a PT to build back your quad. Morerover, don't worry too much about flexion right now, because it will come when the swelling subsides and you will be back to playing tennis before you know it!
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ssowada,
Thanks for your encouraging words. I am hoping for some measure of mobility. All I can do now is go to bathroom and back. Going to PT is tough, but once I'm there, its fun. The bend is improving, I'm at 70 on Day 4. The pain becomes overwhelming at times and then very manageable later. I guess its normal. Walking with 2 crutches is risky, I'm being very cautious. Keeping a positive attitude knowing that things will improve with time.
Later.
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Frustration seems to be a common complaint. I am seven weeks post-op, with a hamstring auto-graft. Today, I felt so down. For no good reason, the knee swelled overnight, and was sore and tender today. I am riding a recumbent bike at low resistance, and doing my exercises as prescribed. I spent the day on the couch with ice. Meanwhile, my friends were out with horses, on a trail ride. I just wanted to cry. I know this is an investment in the future, but, dang, I am sick and tired of being so inactive. I try not to whine, but...I am whining. This is hard. At PT this week, I thought we could step it up a bit at six weeks, but...no...wait. I am not normally a patient person, and this is taking me to my limit. Any thoughts to help out?
E
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I am 6 months out and still frustrated. I haven’t had full use of my operated leg for almost a year. I miss running and high impact sports. I spent so many weekends on ice and watching movies. Keep in mind this. You use you knee all the time and it will take a very long time for it to get back. My quad on the operated leg is still not equal to the unoperated one. This is a long process. It is not worth rushing the process; you may do more harm if you do. I found it helpful to look back at where I was and the tremendous amount of progress I achieved when I left frustrated.
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