Thread: acl surgery
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Old 04-02-2008, 07:10 PM   #9 (permalink)
SMillard

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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: South Florida
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I had my acl replaced one month ago (Feb. 28). Mine was an allograph (donor ligament) the doctor's reason was because of my age 38. It is standard to only harvest from people younger than 30, so for that reason he figured it would be an upgrade (doctors opinion and words, not mine). I also had torn meniscus (which you might/probably will have as well) and I had a crack in the cartilage so I was immobile in the big brace and using crutches for three weeks. I am now walking without crutches and using a "functional brace".

What Jim J said is very true, you will need to learn that the progress will be gradual. If you had more time I'd say you should work out as much as possible before the surgery. I did and I think it helped me tremendously. My leg extends to normal now and I can flex it to the normal pre-surgery range already. Also my strength has come back as good or better than others going through the rehab, I think there are six other people going through it right now and it is almost like a competition to see who can do the best. As Jim J said, you need to let the graft and bone heal, no amount of rehab will speed that up. I'm sure you know from the doctor telling you, they are drilling a hole through the two bones in your leg and attaching the ligament with screws that alone can take about four months to be fully attached then the ligament needs to acclimate to your system and in your case it's new function.

Your leg will atrophy, you will be shocked how much size you will lose after just four days. It will suck especially the bigger and stronger your legs are, the more extreme it will get. On the bright side it will recover faster if you train.

When people talk about 8 to 10 months it seems like an eternity, but after you are in the process the time starts to blur and it makes sense. Or at least it did to me. Don't focus on the end result or you will just get depressed and have a pissy attitude. Even I have had some moments but I work through them.

Good luck, feel free to ask if you have any other questions
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