Comeback after a Torn ACL??

Shaun8181 · 07-06-2008, 02:08 PM

Tore my ACL a few year ago and I never rehabbed it right. It is very weak and I'm getting back into training and want to know if any of you have torn your ACL or have some advice on how to get it strong again.
Cant go to the Doc, No insurance so I need to get it strong on my own.

SMillard · 07-07-2008, 11:24 AM

I'd do a search for the University of Alabama medical school ACL rehabilitation program.

Your ACL does not repair/heal, once it is gone it is gone. You can build up muscle to help compensate, but it is never the same.

I tore my ACL found out it was probably torn for years when I finally had surgery this past March. You need to start out gradually and work your way up. Optimally (other than surgery) you would get an ACL brace, but they are very expensive (mine was over $1,500.00, thank god for my insurance).
You can function without an ACL but there are certain things that will make you more prone to injury such as quick cutting, pivoting and such.

You can eventually lift with it but it will never be as stable as the "good" leg. There will be some things like side squats or side lunges that you might not feel stable with.

Sorry I can't give you better news or advice.

big_john127 · 07-07-2008, 11:45 AM

Tore mine a couple years back. Mine split down the middle however, not side to side, so I imagine ists a little different for me. I just did lots of bike riding and some isolation work on the supporting muscles. This is of course only until the knee feels stable enough to do full squats. At that point, even if its just BW, I would do ATG Squats.
Remember to RICE pretty much all the time too.

Shaun8181 · 07-08-2008, 01:12 AM

I had surgery about 4 years ago they used a cadaver to replace it. I let it go and never bothered to get it strong and now I'm feeing the affects. Its gross how small and weak it is now, I take a leg kick and I'm down, and cant pivot that great either. I just hope that atrophy has not set in to much and wont allow the muscle to grow back. I am going to try bike machines, and squat machines. I'm 6'1 190, and I can wrap my hands around that leg, toothpick.

BlondeWarrior · 07-08-2008, 01:26 AM

I torn mine in rugby in 2000, but I did go through the surgery (where they used the patella tendon) and full rehab since I was still under my parents insurance :-)

Take us easy, since that knee is NO WHERE as strong as the other. It will be after training, but it will take some time.

The atrophy is normal. I could tough thumbs and middle fingers around my thigh when I came out of the stiff leg brace. Gross.

Be careful with it, and start with light resistance. Do NOT do leg extensions. Just try to build up the quad and hammies slowly. Be careful with lateral movements and twisting for a long time.