Knee reconstruction

AussieMike · 09-03-2007, 05:06 AM

Hey guys, to jump right into it:

Just had my knee reconstruction done ( 4 days ), in which basically they replaced the ACL with a tendon they grafted from the hamstring. Also had my meniscus cleaned up.
Right now it feels pretty sweet, even with limited movement. I've been told to basically keep it to light straightening exercises until i see a physio (tomorrow), but am already looking to the future.
I'm not looking for miracles, i am well aware that the overall rehab will last anywhere around 6 months which i am comfortable with, however, does anyone with experience of this injury have any advice on how long it will be until i can get back into weight training ( light & heavy ) on my legs ? Also, how long is the wait on running ?

I am really keen on both, since it has been about 5 months since i have done either properly, which in turn made me ashamed to look at my legs ( and to a lesser extent stomach

), i would like to get some rought ideas of time periods.

Feel free to chip in with any advice/opinions, it will be nice to hear some stories from people who went through this before.

Marcus8880 · 09-03-2007, 06:16 PM

I don't know much about it but I'd say your docter knows best.. And maybe even take some supplements to strength your joints? Try Omegas and some gluc-somethign something to make that knee twice as durable when you do start training.

raiden1978 · 09-04-2007, 05:38 PM

I had my ACL reconstructed also. I used the patellar graft. I am in week 13. My therapist advise that i should worry about extension the most. Second will be strength. I started working out about 6 weeks post operation. I do very light weight on the legs. I am scheduled to do a full recover in about 12 months. Just go with what you therapist advises. Every case is different, your body might respond faster/slower than mine.

AussieMike · 09-05-2007, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raiden1978

I had my ACL reconstructed also. I used the patellar graft. I am in week 13. My therapist advise that i should worry about extension the most. Second will be strength. I started working out about 6 weeks post operation. I do very light weight on the legs. I am scheduled to do a full recover in about 12 months. Just go with what you therapist advises. Every case is different, your body might respond faster/slower than mine.

Hey mate, how long did it take for the swelling to leave ?

Also, is the much difference between patella and hamstring tendons ? I was always under the impression that it was just a preferance thing of the surgeon.

raiden1978 · 09-13-2007, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AussieMike

Hey mate, how long did it take for the swelling to leave ?

Also, is the much difference between patella and hamstring tendons ? I was always under the impression that it was just a preferance thing of the surgeon.

Q#1 In my case, the swelling went down tremendously by week #2. The pain was tolerable, that is why i didnt take any pain killers.
Q#2 According to my surgeon, the patellar tendon has been more successfull in athletes returning to a sport.

Hope this helps.

fireman+scott · 09-13-2007, 09:55 PM

Hope recovery goes well. I recently had a knee scope to repair a severe medial and lateral meniscus tear , which is in no way as serious as your injury, but it's been 7wks and i just started testing the knee again. Do your pt, and listen to your Dr.

tomdana · 10-24-2007, 09:38 PM

Hope all goes well. I fear that I have a medial meniscus tear and am waiting for the MRI to confirm though the sxs are fairly classic and my sports med doc thinks the same. Keep us posted on your recovery. I know from talking with my sports med doc he chooses his PTs for specific post op care and so I would take the advice of your care team on how fast to get back at it. Take care.

AutumnalPark · 10-24-2007, 10:21 PM

Hamstring tendon grafts have sort of become more favoured of late, but both have had their issues and successes.

Remember that the knee joint will actually get weaker before it gets stronger, so don't rush things! There is a time and place for the heavy resisted work, but first you need range of movement and balance!

And the hamstrings wil not be ready for heavy work for a little while.

As long as you have a good physio guiding you, the results should be good.

AussieMike · 10-25-2007, 02:25 AM

Just an update. Two months post-op.

Basically just getting back into light resistance movements. However as AutumnalPark said the main goal is to build up balance and coordination before anything.
Neuromuscular work comes first and as silly as it sounds, it is literally as though you are learning how to run/sprint for the first time ( the movements that is ).
The hamstring is starting to pull a little bit of weight but only in the last few weeks, prior to that it literally was THAT weak.

Extension and flexion is at about 85-90% with swelling getting in the way for the last few degrees ( i was unlucky to get bone bruising and as i found out the other week, part of my lateral meniscus removed - which probably attributed to my hamstring problems ).

But yeah, it really opened my eyes to balance and coordination work which before i dismissed lightly. So if there is a positive coming out of the negative it's that now i am more informed and can pass onto other people what i learned the hard way.

Thanks for the wellwishes. I'll update this thread with any new developments.

Back to the pool.

heidt410 · 10-26-2007, 12:10 AM

I had an ACL reconstruction...Patelar Tendon graft though. Main thing is...take it slow. It takes about 18-24 mnths for the new ACL to really fuse solidly...you dont want to go through this again! If you are allowed start rehab imediatly. Get range of motion and flexibility back and start weight training asap. Your therapist will tell you what exercises you can do...mainly any fixed exercise (foot is fixed on ground or machine platform) ie like squats, is OK. Things like leg extensions can cause reinjury if you extend 100%, your PT will tell you how far to go.
I biked a lot and weight trained my one leg twice a week until it was the same size as my other. Do plyometrics and running straight is usually around 3 mths, cutting and pivoting (w/ brace) 6-9 mths. You can expect pain in the tendon grafted for some time too, my graft area hurt for a year. You should wear your brace for 2 yrs when playing sports.
Good Luck

hellbelle44 · 04-15-2008, 11:43 AM

I had the same thing done 5 years ago and tore it again last week. Just make sure you start strenghthing your hamstring back as soon as your cleared for it. Honestly, you may never see it fully come back, but i hope you do!

sonny7 · 04-18-2008, 06:53 AM

Just curious, I was recently diagnosed w/ an acl tear 2 weeks ago. I am still lifting (cautiously) upper body. How long did it take you to get around w/ out crutches and get back into the gym. I know everyone is different but I am trying to get a ball park idea

thanks