Life After ACL Reconstruction - Page 3

It depends if you had any other damage like meniscus, etc. it might be 4 weeks to be able to drive so you can give time those other injuries time to heal

btw....... am I more at chance of re-tear after ACL Reconstruction surgery? especially because is only1 bundle & I didn't had double-bundle ACL Reconstruction surgery?

the standard protocol is when you are no longer taking pain meds and can control your foot and leg in order to safely operate the gas and brake. I was driving short distances in just over a week. I will say that driving home after rehab sessions in the beginning was difficult. The quad and knee will tire quickly so just keep in mind that you need to be careful that when you drive you need to be able to get back home. So don't go out, drive around only to find you can no longer drive and get stuck someplace or end up driving in an unsafe manner to get home. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by alig 

Good post Steve you have pretty much summed up how I am feeling after a winter skiing on a knee that gives way, and now waiting for surgery.  Aprehensive about going into hospital etc and doing the rehab again (I initially injured mine 18 months ago and managed 2 1/2 months of problem free skiing) but really looking forward to having a knee I can trust again, not just for skiing but all other sports too.  Good Luck with it.

I do have a questioin for anyone out there who has had surgery  that I forgot to ask my Doc - how long post surgery until you were able to drive??! 

Cheers,

 

Ali

 double bundle has greater lateral stability and greater overall strength but both are proven to be very strong when correctly reconstructed.

off crutches in 3 days, full brace unlocked after 5 days (1st visit) but did rehab on day 4 without brace on. But if you read through my ACL video thread, you will see all different recovery and rehab protocols Mike's Dr. had him off his brace entirely after 2 weeks!  

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHRISfromRI 

Everyone recovers differently, but I was able to get a letter stating I could drive and return to office work after only a couple weeks (the company I worked for required the letter). However, at that point I was still on crutches and using a locked brace for getting around, plus I was totally off pain meds. My ACL Recon was my right knee and I was driving a sedan with an automatic transmission, and I was left foot braking - which I had previous experience with from auto racing. Essentially, my right foot was only used for the throttle.

 

My ACL Recon was done using a single bundle of cadaever achilles tendon. I was told that once the first year of recovery and building up strength was completed, I would be more likely to tear my other ACL than re-tear the Recon ACL. Hopefully neither will. I don't know what the difference is in strength or recovery for a single versus a double bundle, but I suspect they're pretty much the same and the bigger factor is more about the experience of your surgeon and how your recovery goes. My ACL Recon surgery was just over 4 years ago, and over the past 4 ski seasons I have so far skied 233 days on it.

everyone is different but I also has meniscus tear repair and my "high ankle" sprain and was able to drive (see above). From what I understand, 4 weeks to drive is very long. I can't imagine taking more than a couple of weeks but its something I wouldn't' take chances with. Consult your ortho! 

I can't stress the need to have that leg in a good of shape prior to surgery. it really makes a difference on post op recovery! 

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsWindsor 

It depends if you had any other damage like meniscus, etc. it might be 4 weeks to be able to drive so you can give time those other injuries time to heal

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsWindsor 

btw....... am I more at chance of re-tear after ACL Reconstruction surgery? especially because is only1 bundle & I didn't had double-bundle ACL Reconstruction surgery?

I have been told that those with 2+ recons are at a higher chance of a re-tear, but those with 1 recon are about the same chance of a re-tear as an initial tear.

FWIW, I re-tore my double bundle recon and my single feels better to me.  There is a debate btween Drs which is better

not debating but recent studio show the 2x is more laterally stable. As far as tearing, I couldn't find any information that showed 2x's were more likely to tear. My doc uses them as the standard if not using hamstring. 6 weeks yesterday and my knee feels great. I have had 95% or better flexibility in it for a couple of weeks now. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEfree30 

 

 

I have been told that those with 2+ recons are at a higher chance of a re-tear, but those with 1 recon are about the same chance of a re-tear as an initial tear.

 

FWIW, I re-tore my double bundle recon and my single feels better to me.  There is a debate btween Drs which is better

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finndog 

. So don't go out, drive around only to find you can no longer drive and get stuck someplace or end up driving in an unsafe manner to get home. 

 

 

Reminds me of a time before I had reconstruction on my left ACL 20 plus years ago, (ACL was gone, but I was trying to get along without it and had done considerable soft tissue damage being active with an unstable knee).  So, I am sitting at a night class at Malone College in Canton, OH.  Note, I drove here myself and was walking and feeling fine, but I did have this piece of damage cartilage that would occasionally lock up my left knee joint.  Just before the end of class, I move my leg and felt that funky meniscus piece lock up my joint.  I am sure my face got pale and my eyes went wide as I considered my options.  It had only happened one time before, and I kind of took 6 aspirin and laid down and it worked itself into a better position.  I let the classroom empty making sure I am the last one to leave.  It is probably around 9:30 PM and this is the latest class, so there is no one left around.  I am concerned - can I walk to my car?  Can I drive my car?  I am young, cellphones don't exist.  I don't see many available options, and I am kind of embarrassed at my helplessness.  I discreetly limp out to the car in considerable pain.  Note2 - the car is a 1978 Honda Civic hatchback.  It is small, and is a 5 speed.  It has manual everything.  In fact, it had a manual choke.  I open the door, lay the seat back, and slide in sideways across to the passenger seat so I can rotate my locked leg into the car, then I angle it to the left corner and position myself with the seat reclined.  Great.  I got in.  Now, can I drive?  Fortunately, I have a long ice scrapper (it is winter) to depress the gas pedal while I clutch with my right foot.  After some experimentation, I determine I can probably drive.  With creativity and anticipation, I drive home the five speed with only my right foot.  I actually drove surprising well, but traffic was light and I could anticipate traffic lights to avoid coming to a dead stop most of the trip.  Not recommended.

 Quote:

Originally Posted by Finndog 

not debating but recent studio show the 2x is more laterally stable. As far as tearing, I couldn't find any information that showed 2x's were more likely to tear. My doc uses them as the standard if not using hamstring. 6 weeks yesterday and my knee feels great. I have had 95% or better flexibility in it for a couple of weeks now. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEfree30 

 

 

I have been told that those with 2+ recons are at a higher chance of a re-tear, but those with 1 recon are about the same chance of a re-tear as an initial tear.

 

FWIW, I re-tore my double bundle recon and my single feels better to me.  There is a debate btween Drs which is better

I think I was unclear.  When I said 2+ recons, I meant having the same knee repaired more than 1 time, NOT differentiating between single and double bundle.  

IIRC I read one study that showed that re-tear rates were virtually the same with single and double bundle.  The reason I went with the double bundle the first time was that it intuitively seemed better in that it is closer to your original ACL and has the potential to add more stability.  

When I re-injured my knee, the second surgeon (who has been friendly with the first and now works in the same practice) told me that the two of them have had many cocktail party debates about which is better.  His position is that the single bundle is just as functional as the double up to 120 degrees of flexion and that most sports take place with the knee under 120.  The downside to double bundle is that you have extra drilling and extra hardware...it also takes more surgical skill to get it right (a problem even with the single bundle as has been discussed in other threads).  I have been told that my original surgeon, who seemed to be a strong advocate of the double bundle at the time of my surgery is now doing double bundles in some situations, but not others.  

FWIW, the second surgeon said that my double bundle had been compromised before my re-injury.  Not sure when/how this may have happened as I had a few tweaking sensations but no significant falls- he said he could only say that it was at least a month before the second surgery, but could have been anytime after the first.  This could be the reason that the 2nd (single bundle) seems more stable to me.  It could also be that the second surgeon did a better job or any number of other factors including the fact that I had a partial MCL tear that was healing the first time, but no MCL damage the second.

I should add that my knee stability for skiing was fine after both surgeries.  In about 180 days skiing, I felt 2 very slight ~slips when I got back seat in steep terrain after the first surgery and nothing so far in about 18 days after the second.  However, I was a bit disappointed that I didn`t have more confidence in the knee during the 2 games of half court basketball I played about 2 years after the first surgery.  I have only shot around so far, but my intuition tells me that the knee is now more stable for playing basketball.  I should also point out that I am now skiing and doing other sports with a brace, so maybe this adds to the stability and confidence. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by skidding 

Fortunately, I have a long ice scrapper (it is winter) to depress the gas pedal while I clutch with my right foot.  After some experimentation, I determine I can probably drive.  With creativity and anticipation, I drive home the five speed with only my right foot.  

 

 

 

haha, that sounds like something I would do.

this is very good info! I remember originally, I was against the allograft, but after meeting with the new OS and did some research, those concerns weren't really valid, especially since I am not a competitive athlete and not 25.  But your case of the graft tearing during the early on is why I am a overly conservative about wearing the brace when out in public. My knee still has some fluid and swelling (not a lot) and does pop and such as the fluid shifts and internal tissues are still a little inflamed, patella still gets stuck a little.

My OS likes the 2x use to lateral stability. I didn't think about the extra drilling and anchor pins; "hardware" but that does make sense. Alternatively, I didn't have the hamstring recovery issues.  

Seg- yeah, I can see you doing this for sure...  

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEfree30 

 Quote:

Originally Posted by Finndog 

not debating but recent studio show the 2x is more laterally stable. As far as tearing, I couldn't find any information that showed 2x's were more likely to tear. My doc uses them as the standard if not using hamstring. 6 weeks yesterday and my knee feels great. I have had 95% or better flexibility in it for a couple of weeks now. 

I think I was unclear.  When I said 2+ recons, I meant having the same knee repaired more than 1 time, NOT differentiating between single and double bundle.  

 

IIRC I read one study that showed that re-tear rates were virtually the same with single and double bundle.  The reason I went with the double bundle the first time was that it intuitively seemed better in that it is closer to your original ACL and has the potential to add more stability.  

 

When I re-injured my knee, the second surgeon (who has been friendly with the first and now works in the same practice) told me that the two of them have had many cocktail party debates about which is better.  His position is that the single bundle is just as functional as the double up to 120 degrees of flexion and that most sports take place with the knee under 120.  The downside to double bundle is that you have extra drilling and extra hardware...it also takes more surgical skill to get it right (a problem even with the single bundle as has been discussed in other threads).  I have been told that my original surgeon, who seemed to be a strong advocate of the double bundle at the time of my surgery is now doing double bundles in some situations, but not others.  

 

FWIW, the second surgeon said that my double bundle had been compromised before my re-injury.  Not sure when/how this may have happened as I had a few tweaking sensations but no significant falls- he said he could only say that it was at least a month before the second surgery, but could have been anytime after the first.  This could be the reason that the 2nd (single bundle) seems more stable to me.  It could also be that the second surgeon did a better job or any number of other factors including the fact that I had a partial MCL tear that was healing the first time, but no MCL damage the second.

 

I should add that my knee stability for skiing was fine after both surgeries.  In about 180 days skiing, I felt 2 very slight ~slips when I got back seat in steep terrain after the first surgery and nothing so far in about 18 days after the second.  However, I was a bit disappointed that I didn`t have more confidence in the knee during the 2 games of half court basketball I played about 2 years after the first surgery.  I have only shot around so far, but my intuition tells me that the knee is now more stable for playing basketball.  I should also point out that I am now skiing and doing other sports with a brace, so maybe this adds to the stability and confidence. 

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsWindsor 

It depends if you had any other damage like meniscus, etc. it might be 4 weeks to be able to drive so you can give time those other injuries time to heal

other damage is all settled down as injury was 18 months ago and I have tried and failed (boo!) to manage it conservatively, hence surgery.  So I'm fighting fit and ready to go, hamstrings pretty good so I'm hoping i'll be walking and driving pretty fast.  I don't have an automatic though and its my Left leg which will do the clutch.  Thanks for the general idea though!

will the knee feel normal after acl reconstruction surgery?

What's "normal?"  I'm now 13 months post surgery, and I still feel a bit of a difference between my right and left knees.  It's nothing that bothers you, or, for that matter, affects what I can do, but I do notice a difference.  Will it ever go away?  I don't know.

Mike

Quote:

Originally Posted by habacomike 

What's "normal?"  I'm now 13 months post surgery, and I still feel a bit of a difference between my right and left knees.  It's nothing that bothers you, or, for that matter, affects what I can do, but I do notice a difference.  Will it ever go away?  I don't know.

 

Mike

However a knee feels eventually becomes the new "normal", and feels ... normal.  Eventually.  I recall my knees feeling "different" but functional.  Now they are what they are and they are normal for me.

It is a very individual experience.  My surgeries were over 20 years ago.  I have a nephew who was an athlete and tore his ACL playing football when seventeen.  He had it rebuilt with his hamstring.   He aggressively did the rehab so he could play baseball in the spring.  He is currently 21 and plays baseball on a college team and says his knee is better than before, due to his aggressive rehab and training.  He had the advantage of youth, a good surgery, and a strong desire to return to baseball.  He also had no other damage to his knee other than the ACL.

"Normal"... The way I understand it is that depending on a few different variables, including to the amount of damage done, the skill of the surgeon and the rehab, your knee may be a little lose or have a slightly different feel. I would have to suspect that in some way, it will never heal and return to the same exact way it was before. That doesn't make it any less stable or strong. 

  yeah walking down stairs requires a bunch of muscles that get shut down to now work together when they don't really remember how.   It takes some concentration and a litle leap of faith (literally). My ankle is just starting to allow me to walk down a few steps at a time and it's a little odd feeling.  My knee doesn't hurt but I find the muscles don't work in conjunction smoothly with the others in the glute and medial quads unless you think about it. you have to build up a little momentum to get the movement smooth; that's the part that requires a little faith that they are going to hold you up.

has someone had the achilles allograft?

how are you doing with that one? I'm 6 weeks post-surgery & feels pretty stiff & I'm going to the gym and stuff...happened to you?

OMG! Mt. Bachelor! that's where I tore my ACL!

10 weeks this coming Thursday and I have to say it's really feeling good. I think at about the 8-9 week point you really start to feel confidence in the knee.Its amazing but there is still a small amount of swelling in the knee and  I still has a ways to go but it really feels just like the other one. So to all of you newb's, just think long term and do whatcha' gotta do. 

I have had two allografts and think that at least one was an achilles, but am not positive.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finndog 

10 weeks this coming Thursday and I have to say it's really feeling good. I think at about the 8-9 week point you really start to feel confidence in the knee.Its amazing but there is still a small amount of swelling in the knee and  I still has a ways to go but it really feels just like the other one. So to all of you newb's, just think long term and do whatcha' gotta do. 

Sorry I missed you this weekend, but glad you are doing well- hope the ankle and shoulder continue to progress also.

cortisone shots in ankle, I am on Lyrica for nerve impingement/damage. New protocol at rehab and it's really seeing improvement.  thanks and sorry I missed you as well.