Comments on: 11 Months Post-Op and Back to Being Invincible

By: azi ahmadi

azi ahmadi — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 05:19:54 +0000

Hi. I am a 41 yo runner who had my rt ACL reconstructed last may–so I’m about 10 months post-op. I had an allograft because my hamstrings have been injured in the past. I also have tendinitis in my left hip and an old avulsion fracture on my right hip. Therefore-this knee injury (I was hit by a car while crossing a street) does not help my running. Any ideas? I’ve been deep water running, biking, doing gym stuff-weights focused on hamstrings–but can’t run more than 5-8 min before a pain on top and middle of patella strikes–also have low back pain–please advise

By: Trent M

Trent M — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 17:58:09 +0000

I had ACL surgery in 2008 and am glad I did- far more stable knee than before.

I’ve done so much research in the area I pulled together the best advice I ever received and did a survey (still happening) and will post the results soon- all the best info in one place.

http://www.aclsurgery.us/acl-survey/

By: Warren

Warren — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:05:00 +0000

Hello,
It’s been 9 months since my surgery. Yesterday I was shooting hoops and I felt 2 sharp pains in my knee, 1 in the middle back of my knee and the other in the front inside just under my kneecap. Then as the day went by my knee swelled up. I’m wondering if something similar has happened to anyone else?
Thanks!

By: cali

cali — Tue, 25 May 2010 19:34:38 +0000

Hi, This Blog is Fantastic!. Good to hear You’re back to normal. I Ruptured my ACL Last year feb playing Football (Soccer). I am now 4months Post op. Working on building the Muscles around my knee, Plyometrics, Proprioception. I Cant wait to start running and playing footy! …Success stories on this blog give me motivation and Hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I would’nt wish this injury on anybody. But one must remain Positive. MAny people told me i wont be the same again. But I palm them off lol. Everybody is has a different Experience.

And Jesse my Surgeon opted for the HAmmy tendon and so far so good!, no problems. I was in the same boat as u. I did my research and I was happy to go with the Hammy. There isnt much difference between HAmmy and Patella Grafts. However many people told me you can get life time pain when kneeling if u use a patella. If you have Hamstring problems then i would’nt use the hammy, As the HAmstring muscle works with ur ACL.

Bottom line- Each case is unique. Go with what works for you. Physio is what will determine weather ur surgery is a success or not. Listen to your physio and do everything he says.

By: jesse

jesse — Tue, 04 May 2010 08:38:49 +0000

hey there -
thanks for the blog. it’s very helpful to hear from first-hand experiences. I just tore my ACL about a month ago while snowboarding – hit a jump, landed bad, and “pop”. I’ve been researching and seeing a few surgeons about it. (no shortage of orthos here in los angeles). I am very close to deciding on which procedure to take – leaning towards the “gold standard” patella graft. 2 surgeons i saw can and will do all three methods, but both recommended the patella, one very strongly, one less so – said hammy and patella are very similar in results. but today I had a freak out and couldn’t decide. How did you do it? you’re blog is very positive – but I have read some really bad reports on people experiencing a lot of pain while kneeling and whatnot from their patellar grafts. have you experienced any of this? how is kneeling for you? being a skiier, you must know that us snowboarders spend a lot of time on knees while waiting on the slopes. could that be a reason for me to not go patellar? you’re opinion is much valued. thank you and congratulations!!!!!
-Jesse

By: Jen

Jen — Sat, 01 May 2010 04:17:12 +0000

Congrats! Your blog posts helped get me through a long, arduous insurance mess that finally led to my ACL reconstruction with a cadaver graft in Nov. 09. (I tore my right ACL heli-skiing in NZ in Sept. 09).

Two weeks ago, I ran a 5K in 25 min, with a moderate support brace! Yes, probably shouldn’t have, but now I’m aiming for a half-marathon this fall. I’m just down 1cm in muscle mass on my operated knee.

My Ortho just recently ordered me a derotation brace to, as he put it, “save you from yourself.” I get it in two weeks. I can’t wait – and I am STOKED for the long season (Mammoth, open until July!) so I can ski with my almost-three year old.

Thank you for this blog!
Cheers,
Jen

By: Diane

Diane — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 01:38:31 +0000

Everytime I read one of your self reflecting entries, I smile…:)

It is uncanny how much a club the ACLers really are.

As I have noted, I am only a few weeks behind you in my recovery, and like you at a certain point, I forgot about it. The steps and moves that I would always have hesitation in doing, now are done without thought. You just do it…your knee works and does what it is suppose to.

I played 3.5 hours of tennis in one night and was giddy because I hadn’t done that since I was a teenager..many years ago.

Someday you will look back on this experience when the scar is barely visable and say..remember when??

By: Jared

Jared — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 19:30:52 +0000

Glad to see you are feeling back to normal. I just hit the one month mark and I am finally allowed to put weight on my leg. I look forward to feeling back to normal like you are feeling right now! Thanks for the blog, it has been extremely helpful.