ACL Reconstruction

[ScriveyScrib]

As I wander through Body Space, I notice a large group of ACL ?inspired? members. I would like to compare history/progress since your operation:

About a year ago, I had reconstructive surgery on my right ACL. Harvested a strand of my right hamstring and withstanding a few hiccups in surgery was sent to physical therapy for rehab. Approximately 6 months of rehab and then I was directed to train myself. Still working to increase strength and stability in both legs. Steadily getting better and stronger results.

Points of concern for comparison:

1. Occasional numbness in large toe and entire leg while/after work out. (not too often)

2. Affected leg gets cold?circulation seems to fluctuate once in a while. (while sitting mostly)

3. Hamstrings slow to strengthen.

Just wanted to compare my symptoms w/others that have been through the same operation and deduce what are acceptable side effects and non-acceptable.

Thanks in advance, Scrib

[rdh]

I had my surgery 2 weeks ago, I am walking pretty normal, but I have notice the decrease of blood flow at night, getting really cold. I have some num
bness in the shin area. Initially I though was the effects of the anesthesia but as been almost two weeks and still there, is getting better but still there, I am pretty movil now, I was wondering If I can go back to the gym and if is safe to go back to my creatine/protein/Bcaa's combo?

Originally Posted by ScriveyScrib

As I wander through Body Space, I notice a large group of ACL ?inspired? members. I would like to compare history/progress since your operation:

About a year ago, I had reconstructive surgery on my right ACL. Harvested a strand of my right hamstring and withstanding a few hiccups in surgery was sent to physical therapy for rehab. Approximately 6 months of rehab and then I was directed to train myself. Still working to increase strength and stability in both legs. Steadily getting better and stronger results.

Points of concern for comparison:

1. Occasional numbness in large toe and entire leg while/after work out. (not too often)

2. Affected leg gets cold?circulation seems to fluctuate once in a while. (while sitting mostly)

3. Hamstrings slow to strengthen.

Just wanted to compare my symptoms w/others that have been through the same operation and deduce what are acceptable side effects and non-acceptable.

Thanks in advance, Scrib

[ScriveyScrib]

Originally Posted by rdh

I had my surgery 2 weeks ago, I am walking pretty normal, but I have notice the decrease of blood flow at night, getting really cold. I have some num
bness in the shin area. Initially I though was the effects of the anesthesia but as been almost two weeks and still there, is getting better but still there, I am pretty movil now, I was wondering If I can go back to the gym and if is safe to go back to my creatine/protein/Bcaa's combo?

RDH,
I would not go back to the gym at this time to work on any part of your leg routine! In the first month, the physical therapist had me working on "firing my quads" all of the time (flexing my quads), lots of ice, elevation and rest. I was on Percocet for pain and if the swelling got bad I would use Motrin. I got to where you were and was basically ambling along nicely and the doctor informed me that the first 30-90 days was when the "new" ACL was being fused to the bone. People always feel great...but the majority of his return patients came from people doing crazy stuff (dancing, gym time, falling) at this crucial time of rehab. Long story short: the "new" ACL is reforming and is very susceptible to tearing/ripping loose--take it easy. At your stage, the numbness will be huge (and never really go entirely away)...and the skin/muscle around the chin is probably like "putty". After my stitches were pulled, I was instructed to start massaging the incision and points of entry...to minimize the knots. Flexibility and balance will be key in the future...but keep firing your quads!!! Supplements: Creatine will make your cells retain water...if your swelling...water retention may be a bad idea...you're not burning as many calories...so mass Protein intake may be a bad idea, unless you're bulking...Bcaa's combo, don't know what that is. Ultimately, I would just throttle back a bit...work on stabilization, flexibility and firing your quads. Stay healthy!!!

[bballdo1]

2 months post acl recon. patella tendon graft. knee is sometime cold at night and still numb on right side of knee but thats pretty much it.

started straight ahead running 2 days ago and starting cutting and plyos in a couple weeks.

[ScriveyScrib]

Originally Posted by bballdo1

2 months post acl recon. patella tendon graft. knee is sometime cold at night and still numb on right side of knee but thats pretty much it.

started straight ahead running 2 days ago and starting cutting and plyos in a couple weeks.

That's the major difference in the two operations...you're healing time is so much quicker...with a bone to bone healing instead of bone to tunnel. Your age helps too. Be safe and best of continued success in your progress! Need more info on our subjects see the following link. http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/aclr.../aclgrafts.htm

[kerryb]

Originally Posted by ScriveyScrib

As I wander through Body Space, I notice a large group of ACL ?inspired? members. I would like to compare history/progress since your operation:

About a year ago, I had reconstructive surgery on my right ACL. Harvested a strand of my right hamstring and withstanding a few hiccups in surgery was sent to physical therapy for rehab. Approximately 6 months of rehab and then I was directed to train myself. Still working to increase strength and stability in both legs. Steadily getting better and stronger results.

Points of concern for comparison:

1. Occasional numbness in large toe and entire leg while/after work out. (not too often)

2. Affected leg gets cold?circulation seems to fluctuate once in a while. (while sitting mostly)

3. Hamstrings slow to strengthen.

Just wanted to compare my symptoms w/others that have been through the same operation and deduce what are acceptable side effects and non-acceptable.

Thanks in advance, Scrib

I had ACL Reconstruction using hamstring & Allograft (both, I know). I am almost a year out. I had some major mind-body hang-ups after. I waited entirely too long to get surgery, over 10 years and I think that is why my Doc had to use both types of grafts (bundles). I am female 40 and have always been athletic. I am finally, after 10 months feeling like this is my leg again. My quad is weak still although I do squats, bike, weights. I want to run but will wait to be cleared by my PA for that. Feeling is finally coming back to my calf. I had the left leg done and the side of the leg was so numb and hyper sensitive up until around 2 months ago. I had a lot of crunching and popping going on which finally seems to be subsiding. My biggest issue is being afraid to hurt my knee again. I 'envy' those who ball bust out there and get right back to their routines. It was posts like yours and other ACL Reconstruction Rehabs that really kept me motivated and positive. Since my surgery, every week I tell myself, next week you'll be stronger and feel better. I have to say, I am glad I had the surgery. My knee use to float side to side, backwards, and I was to the point of having extreme pain. I really need to work on the mind-body connection. For the first time I hiked up and down a Rocky terrain and it terrified me, it was very slow. I keep thinking, damn I want to feel fit again. I already know the tendon is stronger, I just have to strengthen the quad which is weak, I get some pain and soreness.

Good luck on your recovery, your not alone.

[ScriveyScrib]

That's an incredible journey you are on! Quadriceps and Hamstrings seem to be my biggest hurdle but they are coming-in. The confidence in my knee's integrity/stability has grown (understandably) with the increase in leg strength. Also (something I slacked-off on) the reintroduction of lunges has done wonders to sprint my progress forward. The numbness in my shin seems to be something that I am getting comfortable with...it's still there but most of the time I have to make a conscious effort to remember that it's there.
I'm positive you'll have the same success with your continued efforts. Thank you for sharing your story and the positive message.

Be safe, be strong and be confident!

[stevekick]

When is it safe to return to the gym with friends who can hand you all the weight to do upper body workouts after surgery. I just found out I tore my left ACL, I am scheduled to meet my surgeon on Monday and figure out how bad the tear is and when they want to do the surgery. I'm just not looking forward to being laid up this amount of time after putting all this work in the weight room.

[ScriveyScrib]

Steve,

The earliest I would attempt to go back to the gym...and work on upper body solely, would be once you can move around w/out your crutches. Any earlier and I would think you could do more harm than good. You and I both know that working upper body calls on your leg muscles to support your body...so care should be paramount when you are lifting. I will say that the stronger your hammies and quads are before your operation (if that's what you do) the better and faster your recovery will be. Talk w/your Doc and find the best approach...when I was in your position...I was reminded that you don't actually need an ACL if your legs are developed enough. The example given was old Broncos' Quarterback John Elway. He evidently didn't and doesn't have ACLs in either leg and was able to win 2 super bowls in 5 tries. I'm not as athletic as he was but maybe your are...
If you get the operation just don't plan too far ahead...see how well you are recovering before you move that cart ahead of the horse.
Sincerely,
-Scrib

[stevekick]

Thanks for the help. Yes I do full body workouts, and plenty of cardio. Going into the surgery I would think I'm in really good shape. I'm going to keep taking my bcaa and protein supplements. I have even thought about buying a teste booster to help the recovery process. How long before you were allowed back to work?

[ScriveyScrib]

I was given 2 weeks and then I was on crutches back to work. Rehab was a long haul...keep-up your flexability, firing your quads and elevation whenever possible.

-Scrib