What helped getting back on the water after ACL surgery

9DROZD · Outlaw Joined: 21 Apr 2010 Posts: 114

Hey everyone, I was just curious for those who have had an ACL reconstruction, what was yalls experience with getting back to the sport from your surgery to 100% and back to shreddin again. This past June I came in way too hard and stomped a massive 3 on a double up and landed too far out in the flats. When I landed I heard and felt a pop in my knee. 2 days, an ortho apt, and an MRI later, I found out I tore a couple spots on my meniscus, completely snapped my ACL, and sprained my MCL pretty good. July 22 rolled around for my surgery and 3 1/2 hrs later I found out I had torn my meniscus in 4 spots(not 2), my Dr gave me the benefit of the doubt and sewed my meniscus back together with a 65% chance it would completely heal, I bruised the end of my femur pretty bad and he had to drill a bunch of holes in it to stimulate healing it, and my new ACL(hamstring) went in without a hitch. I had to stay off of it for 3 weeks and then i can start rehab. Anyways I was just curious as to what yalls experience with this was and how yall got back to riding.

craigk · Newbie Joined: 06 Aug 2010 Posts: 2 City: DFW

I've torn my ACL in my right knee twice now, both time playing soccer. I had it replaced with patella graft the first time. I went to rehab 3 days a week, worked out everyday, stretched, and did everything I could to strengthen my entire leg. After 6 months I felt perfect. I wore my knee brace while playing soccer for about another 8-9 months (so 15 months post rehab) and then felt that I was strong enough to play without it. About 6 months after that I tore it again, some guy fell on top of my leg funny while playing soccer.

The second time I tore my ACL was last November, I also completely tore my MCL. I spent two weeks on crutches, doing stretched and excercies. Then I started biking, elliptical, and then treadmill. My ACL is still torn, my MCL has healed completely. I've been wakeboarding again since May and always where my CTI2 brace. I haven't had any problems.

The most important thing is ALWAYS keep up with your rehab. Don't take a day off. Don't get frustrated, work harder. Fight through a little bit of pain and then go a little further, but don't hurt yourself or try to do too much at once. Everytime you think about your knee, stretch it some, do leg lifts, thigh compresses, any excercise. Do it while you are watching TV, do it while you are sitting in the car.

I suggest always wearing a real knee brace on that knee now. Not one of those flimsy neoprene slip on things, something like a CTI2 or a DonJoy. They are expensive and insurance should cover most of it and they are worth it.

LaynDoor · Outlaw Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 152 City: Meriden CT

#1 It takes time

#2 When you have your ROM back stop going to PT and get yourself a qym membership (if you dont already have one)... you will save alot of money

#3 Your knee will never be the same again... its vulnerable... acting like its not will land you back in the Ortho's office

#4 Always wear a brace while riding... too easy to catch an edge on a landing and tear it again...

Good luck bro... I tore my ACL in my left and my PCL in my right... Its not a fun road back and things will never be the same... How close to the same is up to you though.

9DROZD · Outlaw Joined: 21 Apr 2010 Posts: 114

Thanks guys for the info. I know theres a long road ahead and if other people can get back to riding pretty aggressively, then I have no doubt I can do it.

jboneill · Newbie Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 45 City: Austin

Man i completely tore my acl and pcl a year and a half ago... "your knee will never be the same again" paha whatever my knee is deffinately full strength maybe even stronger than the one i didnt mess up...

I agree that physical therapy is way too expensive and they deffinately baby you too much go buy a bike and ride it every day and you will heal sooner than you think.

first day back on the water was about a month later just cruising around with a knee brace. my knee felt like it was ready to go but i didnt want to risk messing it up with some gnarly tricks ha.

within the next month after my first ride i almost had all my tricks back but was very cautions when landing.

1 year later no more knee brace smashing in the flats no problem.

I RECCOMEND TAKING GLUCOSAMINE PILLS EVERY DAY! they really strenthen your joints alot

BE POSITIVE

9DROZD · Outlaw Joined: 21 Apr 2010 Posts: 114

I had a feeling it should be completely fine. My dr did a 4 strand bundle acl and had mentioned it was supposed to be as far as tensile strength, stronger. Im not saying theres not the possibility of re-tearing it, but i should be able to do what i was doing before with no problem.

mseller · Outlaw Joined: 05 May 2010 Posts: 220 City: Charleston

jboneill, you only waited a month before riding again?? that's pretty impressive...i just got surgery last monday(completely torn acl replaced by patella tendon and torn lateral miniscus but it had already started healing itself so no need to repair) and i am moving very progressively through rehab...biked 4 miles today, walked backwards on treadmill, calf raises, hamstring curls, and leg pressed...my knee locked up on me during hamstring curls and hurt like hell...any advice on how to get out of a lock up? and any more exercises i should be doing? $25 a pop at PT is starting to get expensive! especially if i can do all these things at my gym already just don't necessarily know what i should be doing...thanks for your help Mr. Green