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9/7/2018 2:52pm
I just had my ACL reconstructed last Friday night. They took a 1/3 of the patellar and made that my new ACL. Unfortunately I'm still in quite a bit of pain everytime I get up to go to the bathroom or get something to eat/drink. How long will this pain last usually? Any tips on what I should do while recovering? My doc told me to start putting weight on it yesterday, and to lift my leg to strengthen the quadricep. Any other help or tips are much appreciated. Thanks guys.
strength in quads will help with ACL recovery,
cycling is my first pick cardio, balance, and leg strength.
Stay positive, see positive results.
good luck
I was on my bicycle in 2 weeks. In hindsight, I should have gone a little longer. Maybe 3. I rode, and iced the SHIT out of when I got home. Not big rides, but rides nonetheless. Doctor said that was "a little aggressive" for rehab. However, when I went back in 6 months, he said I was the only guy he had ever seen who could pull his heel RIGHT back into his ass. Apparently, that just doesn't happen post-op. This was also the doctor for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Hamilton Ti-Cats. Ned Amendola, who I believe is the doctor for University of Iowa, last I'd heard. Seen a few torn up knees in his day. So do what you can ion the bike, and best of luck.. As I recall, the first couple weeks are a BITCH for pain.
The Shop
And as far as putting weight on it and lifting, lift only as much as you feel comfortable doing, and the same with putting weight on it, just as much as you feel like. Like I said, this is the second time i have been through this so i feel for you.
When you start rehab and stuff, you best bets are cycling and swimming. Swimming being the better of the two because it relieves stress on the joints. Also use this as a way to train from here on out, you will thank yourself. I hope this helps, if you need anything else, you can e-mail me at ianhendry46@yahoo.com Good luck man, I know it sucks, keep your head up.
Just dont do anything risky until the doc says its okay. For example, I felt fine after the first month, like it was the same or better than before, but I didnt do anything that would risk re-injuring it. Once you start therapy, do what they say and you will recover just fine.
Good luck with the recovery!
To all, can't thank you guys enough for the help. I really really appreciate it coming from fellow riders. Looks like I got quite road ahead. Thanks again
Anyways, yea let me know how youre getting along. Good Luck to ya
With regards to your therapy, the people above have mentioned great things to do and here are a couple things I found to work well for me. Your range of motion is the first and most important thing. Everything you do from that point on will be affected in a negative way if your range of motion isn't there. I would sit on the floor and put a rolled up towel under my heel and then put a weight on my knee (ex. some books). I did this twice a day for as long of time as I could stand it along with the exercises my physical therapist told me to do.
As you progress and get a month or so into your PT start pushing yourself but being smart about it. For example the standing squats would progress to single leg squats, then squats on a balancing ball would turn to single leg squats on the ball and so on. Cycling, leg press, hamstring curls, leg extension, and lungs are all great for building your strength back. Talk with your therapist about this stuff and don't go all billy badass and try single leg squats on a balancing ball 4 weeks out of surgery.
I guess the last thing I've got to say before I wrap up this masterpiece is don't be stupid about getting back on the bike. At the 2-3 month mark your going to be running, jumping and will be tempted to hop on the bike and just putt around. I know this because I did it. Just before the 3 month mark I went out and rode. I wasn't sticking my leg out in corners but I was going through the motions like sitting, standing, and jumping. At the 5 month mark at my first race back, on the first lap, I washed the front end and planted my leg and tore it all up again. That being said I also didn't have custom knee braces on. GET CUSTOM KNEE BRACES!!! You can even get your insurance to pay for the majority of the cost, like 90% of it. Just talk to your doctor he'll let you know what you have to do. After my second surgery, I got CTI braces and haven't had an issue since.
Your knee will become strong again and that fear of tearing it will fade. I went on to have some of my greatest accomplishments in the sport at the pro level just a year or two after the surgeries.
Good luck with your rehab. Work hard.
Branden Miller
Pit Row
http://www.racerxvt.com/article/acl-rehab---chad-reed-and-trx
I had ACL transplant and meniscus repair. Two years later was back for more, another meniscus repair, micro bone fractures and cartalage repair.
I honestly think that I was pushed into heavey rehab to soon. I took a year off racing, but I still work out 5 days a week so maybe some was my fault also.
I'm good to go now, but take your time with your rehab, it will be best in the long run.
Best of luck
Came home the same day and all week i was in more pain then i thought i wass supposed to be.
Woke up tuesday morning with considerable pain and swelling. Got worse all day and on wednesday, a week after surgery i had to call an ambulance.
Im in the ICU right now with blood poisoning after an infection from surgery. They drained so much nasty goo out of the knee wednesday, and i had another surgery yesterday to flush out remainin bacteria. Still at the hospital in pain. Today the blood work comes back and we are supposed to find out exactly what type of anti biotics i need to fight it off faster, just been on regular stuff for now.
Watch out for sudden swelling and increased pain. And go have it checked out right away, dont try to wait it out like i did, not worth it. And good luck!
^^^ above
Haha, thats is gnarly. My incisions are horizontal but prety much the same look I have right now too
You have your faithful companions keeping you company too.
Too all, thanks again for all the tips and advice. I really do appreciate the help and wishes. To those that are going through the same thing, keep me updated on your status and I will do so likewise. Heres to a speedy recovery for us all.
I had the patella tendon graft (i was told by my surgeon that this was the strongest long term fix, but apparently the hamstring graft is less painful and quicker recovery time) - the pain was pretty bad for the first couple of weeks.
If you want to make a full and fast recovery then buy a decent stationary cycle, or turbo trainer- you will be spending ALOT of time on this over the next 3 months! When you are first allowed to use the stationary cycle then do as much as you can, then immediately afterwards elevate the leg and put ice on the knee. When i first started i could only manage about 5 mins at a time, but was doing 5 mins then rest (with ice) then another, then another etc- I cant stress how important it is to do as much as poss on the stationary cycle! After 3 months it will feel fine- DO NOT RIDE! I know a few people that have re-torn the ligament from riding too soon. It will take AT LEAST 6-9 months for the graft to be at full strength. Just concentrate on getting fit using low impact exercise like cycling and building up the quads/hams/ calfs.
It will be very painful trying to get the full range of movement back in the knee, and you will have a sparrows leg for a while (its amazing how fast the muscle wastes away!)
Good luck- the pain will ease off substancially after the first 3 weeks, the recovery is hard work- but if you listen to your physio and put in the hard work you will be back to 100% in 6 months
Testing the photo upload thing too........this is after my torn hamstring. The bruising can go all the way down to your foot. Keep the range of motion going every day and don't push it too hard right away!
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