In the spirit of, “How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop?”, I’ve decided to fill you in on my personal answer to “How long does it take to get back to normal after ACL reconstruction?”
Let’s keep in mind we are all different, and it also depends on your procedure. From the P.O.V. of someone who had a patellar tendon graft reconstruction and a lateral meniscus repair, I answer the aforementioned question with this: six weeks. It took me six weeks and rehab to finally be able to walk normally (and at a normal pace), confidentily go up and down stairs, comfortably take mass transit and be able to go through the work day without thinking about the knee.
So there. I hope it helps. But I would love to hear your own take on recovery.
Wow, that is a quick recovery. Congrats! You are an inspiration.
Thanks for the great comment–you made my day!
Hi – I’m pretty much where you are now as well. Tomorrow it will be 6 wks since ACL with an allograft, a large meniscus repair, and the clipping out of my LCL. In PT 3x per wk. Walking gingerly with no crutches. Not going up my stairs yet, due to just plain being afraid.
Range of motion is great they say, and so is hyper-flexibility. It’s been a looong road, but everything now can only get better. Can’t wait to get back to tennis. They say 6-9 months, but hoping for sooner.
Wow..that is great. I am about 2 weeks behind you and at week 5. Week 4 of physical therapy(twice per week). I also had lateral meniscus damage.
I am just starting to walk with my brace on a setting of a bend. So, I have been learning to walk again heel toe and to bend the knee.
I appologize if you have noted this somewhere. But have you ever had hesitancy when you feel a pull or ache that the knee is not fixed? I am petrified that the wrong step will undo everything. I think it is from years of babying it and always worrying it was going to give out. I probably should disclose that I tore my ACL about 10 years ago and lived with it. So that feeling has always been there for a long time.
I look to your progress to help me see what is around the corner.
It also seems like you are seeing your doctor more often than I. I saw him week 1 and not again until 2 weeks from now.
Hi, Diana!
In terms feeling a pull or ache and worrying about it not being fixed, I know exactly what you mean. It’s a weird balance between trying to push yourself and hesistating because you can easily feel pulls, even mistake them for slight tears–because everything is so stiff and tight. I remember the first time my “new” knee popped. IT didn’t hurt, but the sound and what I could actually feel scared the heck out of me. I was walking in my kitchen and it stopped me in my tracks. Then I checked everything out, made sure I could still bend/walk, and it was fine.
It’s good to hear I am not crazy..It like the commercial for the Volkswagon where he has the car on his forehead..Don’t know if you ever saw that one…LOL
Its always on my mind. I can’t wait until it is not somehting I have to think about.
I know the “pop” you mention. It’s like cracking your knuckles. No pain..just sensation and sound.
Keep up the good work.
Hi,
My daughter, Mary is having an ACL recon surgery tomorrow, Wed. July 15th at 7:45 am.
She might have some meniscus to repair, as you mentioned you did. (I understand that means you have to limit the weight on the knee if the meniscus is repaired.
How much did that slow down your rehab or timetable to recovering movement and doing the scheduled rehab?
Do you have an outline of what happened. I just found your information. Oh, I forgot to mention Mary is 17 years old and 9 months and hurt her knee playing soccer with guys.
Look forward to hearing from you,
Dave
Hi Dave,
I also hurt my knee playing soccer with the guys! But of course, just an off-turn was all it took. First of all, I wish your daughther the best in the recovery process, and would love to hear how she progresses. Secondly, if she does need meniscus repairs, it will only help her in the long run–one surgery, two stones. In terms of my recovery from the ACL reconstruction and lateral meniscuc repair, my time almost doubled (in regards to the crutch and brace use) because of that little meniscus. I know it’s hard to hear at first, but trust me, you want to make sure your daughther doesn’t “come back” too soon. Good thing she’s doing it in the summer, even though she may disagree. By my estimates, she’ll be back on her feet walking by Labor Day for sure. She can enter the school year ready to get back to any sports, and maybe she’ll try a new sport. Myself, I’m looking into indiviudal sports, no boys required.
Had my ACL graft, lateral and medial meniscus repair June 30. Twenty days into rehab. The doc was pleased with extension and flexion last Wednesday for my first post-op appointment. The doc said I could WBAT (weight bear as tolerated) from day one, with crutches for balance. The first week or so was mostly just moving from bathroom to recliner to kitchen to recliner to bed. Elevated my leg nearly all night and that really helped with the swelling. I was so excited to hear that the leg was further along than a lot of the doc’s younger patients (I’m 53) that I overdid walking around, being on my feet, and taking stairs (up) the following day. By that evening, the knee was stiff and swollen, and the ankle was “poofy” as well. Took it easy yesterday and stayed off of it quite a bit and this morning it was back to feeling “better” (that’s a relative term). Going to my first physical therapy this afternoon. Excited to be moving ahead. Going to be a long haul but being mentally prepared for that is half the battle. Thanks very much for your blog. I just bookmarked it and will be following along.