6 months minimum....depending on what type of ACL repair you have. ... you will feel better at 3-4 months but the repair needs time to heal. The 4–6 month period is crucial for recovery, you don’t want to re-injure the repair. I’m not a Dr. but have had 2 ACL surgeries... they suck, the P/T sucks, a bag of ice will be your new friend....
6 months as others have said. I waited and strengthened my leg before having surgery. Get the swelling down completely and full range of motion before your surgery. Way easier to get your range of motion back before surgery than after.
Find a great PT now and get on their schedule. Also, diet plays a big role in your recovery.
If it’s not to painful to do P/T now, you should start ...
This, 100%. I was at about 8 months between injury to surgery and spent much or that time working on strength and getting full range of motion. I can't imagine how bad surgery would've been if I didn't get that range back first.
If you haven't settled on a surgeon yet look up Shelbourne Knee Center. I traveled from MO to Indianapolis multiple times from surgery through recovery and would do it there again if I ever have another knee issue.
My son had his right ACL and MCL done 4 years ago, took 6 months before doc released him. Just had the same done on the left 3 weeks ago. They are forecasting the same 6 months but said it depends on how he responds to the PT....
ACL's take close to a year to fully heal. Most people start sport specific training at 6 months. The longer you wait the less likely you will be to re-injure. I Feel bad for these pro mx/sx riders that don't have the proper time to heal and re-injure and get labeled as always hurt.
It was about 9 months until I rode...I had ACL reconstruction with an allograft, meniscectomy & removal of bone spurs ( I waited awhile.) I worked HARD at P/T, I had a great sports oriented therapist who was a high-level athlete that had a tragic injury. She was intrigued by moto and would study the races to write a program for me to get back to strength. Our goal was 95% to my good leg through a variety of tests before riding. The exercises were extremely hard at times when the progress is slow, and you will have a set back or two.
For me, the first few rides were tough. I never felt confident in my knee and it took another 4-5 months before I felt fully confident in it. It takes about 2 years to feel normal again, I still have moments but the key is maintenance, it will get weak if you don't going to the gym.
Good luck, take your time getting back on the bike and bust your ass in P/T.
I've had both knees done with hamstring graft, at age 49 and 57. What I'm saying here is specific to hamstring graft, which is what most top pros have as I understand. What the docs, PAs, and PTs told me is exactly what I found in my own online research. It will feel pretty strong at 6 months but takes 9 months to reach ultimate strength, It is most vulnerable at about 3-4 months. The safest bet is to not ride until 9 months for a hamstring graft. Young pros may be getting special treatments not available to us mere mortals (stem cells, HGH??)
In both surgeries my knee did not feel fully "right" until about a year. You will have some symptoms for at least a year if not longer, but that becomes more a mental issue than anything. And I will never ever ride without top quality knee braces.
It depends on what type of ACL repair you had. Cadaver, Patella Tendon, hamstring etc. 6 months minimum also depending on how fit you were when you injured the knee. I've had both done and did 6 months on one and 9 on the other. I was in much better shape when I did 6 months but it took longer than 6 months to be 100% pain free.
There is a saying in the industry: You're only as Good as your Re-hab. If you take that seriously you'll be fine. If you don't then pass on the surgery it won't matter.
I remember back in the late 90's my dad tore his getting caught in a rut...took a full year before he could ride again. Seems like with modern technology and surgical practices they can get you back to normal within 6 months. Like others have said, the PT is really now the biggest factor in determining how quick you can go back to riding. The great news now though is once they fix it, you're good to go. Back then...you might only be 70-80% of what you were before the injury but guys fully recover 100% now.
1st time in early 80’s: patella - full length cast and rehab 6 moths.
2nd time in late 90’s: cadaver - woke up with my leg in a machining cycling. July 3 popped it racing. Raced fall classic at Red Bud 10-12 weeks later. Races bikes and other toys ever since! Never an issue! I was riding late August/Early September.
7 months ACL/ PCL cadaver tendons with 8 screws. It was sore for the first few months after riding. Took longer to get the muscle strength longer then anything. Shocking how much you lose in such a short period of time.
Everyone is different, so no one answer will be correct.
Do your PT
If you PT isn't making you cry, you're not trying hard enough
The Shop
Find a great PT now and get on their schedule. Also, diet plays a big role in your recovery.
If you haven't settled on a surgeon yet look up Shelbourne Knee Center. I traveled from MO to Indianapolis multiple times from surgery through recovery and would do it there again if I ever have another knee issue.
For me, the first few rides were tough. I never felt confident in my knee and it took another 4-5 months before I felt fully confident in it. It takes about 2 years to feel normal again, I still have moments but the key is maintenance, it will get weak if you don't going to the gym.
Good luck, take your time getting back on the bike and bust your ass in P/T.
In both surgeries my knee did not feel fully "right" until about a year. You will have some symptoms for at least a year if not longer, but that becomes more a mental issue than anything. And I will never ever ride without top quality knee braces.
There is a saying in the industry: You're only as Good as your Re-hab. If you take that seriously you'll be fine. If you don't then pass on the surgery it won't matter.
Pit Row
2nd time in late 90’s: cadaver - woke up with my leg in a machining cycling. July 3 popped it racing. Raced fall classic at Red Bud 10-12 weeks later. Races bikes and other toys ever since! Never an issue! I was riding late August/Early September.
Surgeon was even more pumped I wanted to wait.
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