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Calling my ACL brothers and sisters

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Sulli
Posts: 324 - Karma: 27
as i sit on my couch post surgery watching Avatar the Last Airbender season 2, the Vicidin is starting to set in and the legs feeling better.  Just wanted to hear from all you survivors, and how your recovery went.  I personally just cant wait to get in the gym again and get huge while i rehab the shit outta this knee
Dec 29 2011 8:50PM
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technique.
Posts: 1538 - Karma: 308
glad to hear the positive attitude dude. right after surgery was so gloomy for me. i was so depressed for like 2 weeks without mobility. my ACL is super strong now according to the doctor. im still strengthening my leg though. being back in the gym is great. im not talking physical therapy, i mean when you can start lifting again. but gotta crush through the PT to get to the lifting. stay strong man
Dec 29 2011 8:54PM
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5oup5teeze
Posts: 1259 - Karma: 74
yo, keep that positive attitude going! a year ago on new years eve, i hit a tree and blew out BOTH knees and broke my femur all in the same accident! 3 months in a wheelchair, a month on crutches and about 7 months of seeing the therapist couldn't stop me from getting back on skis for this season. i kept a positive mind and i stayed determined to hit the gym once or twice a day. i rode the stationary bike a shit ton! i worked out all the time and i did a lot of stretching in the sauna because the heat relaxes the muscles making it easier to stretch and more effective. if you have any questions or anything on this shit, let me know because i've got enough experience to guide you in the right direction of workouts and stuff to do! my advice for now is to listen to everything your therapist says, do exercises at home if you can and keep that positive and determination i sense in you! good luck bro!
Dec 29 2011 10:41PM
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EVAN.F
Posts: 895 - Karma: 2,820
+ Vibes man

Just had surgery on my Achilles this morning, shit is not fun but it ultimately keeps your appreciation for skiing much higher which is always good to keep in mind.

Dec 30 2011 12:02AM
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Flacko
Posts: 1495 - Karma: 788
same but with my mcl now my rehab trainer is some guy who fucking works the shit out of me instead of this hot chick who was nice, atleast im getting a better workout
Dec 30 2011 12:27AM
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RileyZap
Posts: 420 - Karma: 27
When I tore mine I just watched a bunch of Quintin Terrantino (or whatever) movies. My great uncle is a doctor and he said it would help. But seriously, I just did a bunch of biking, and physio with that big ass rubber band.
Dec 30 2011 1:01AM
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jkauffman22
Posts: 2592 - Karma: 1,150
Just started being able to run again. It's such a great feeling! You'll get there. A positive attitude DOES help! :)
Dec 30 2011 1:12AM
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B.Aussie
Posts: 5852 - Karma: 4,531
+ VIbes man.

Just do exactly what your PT tells you. I did too much and ended up with a lot of inflamation issues. Your PT really does know best and when you need to be held back. Apart from that work hard, do your strength stuff and it will heal perfectly. Mine healed stronger and tighter than it was before (I'm hypermobile) and was back to normal at 6 months, playing contact sports and high intensity sports at 8-10 months. Just be patient and you'll be sweet.
Dec 30 2011 3:18AM
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Astomp
Posts: 10090 - Karma: 344
Don't burn yourself out. A good pt regimen is great, but remember acl is time. Yo body needs to accept that more then working out a shit ton.
Dec 30 2011 10:49AM
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Flacko
Posts: 1495 - Karma: 788
ya biking helps a ton not moutain biking, unless you want to get even worse injured road biking is verry helpfull.+hotubs = leg orgasims there so nice
Dec 30 2011 11:37PM
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SKETCHY_D
Posts: 979 - Karma: 27
stick to your rehab man, ive had three acl surgeries all on the same knee, doc fucked up the first one, i didnt stick to the rehab second time and went out, so finally after the third one im good and back to skiing
Dec 31 2011 12:12AM
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snowbombz
Posts: 2456 - Karma: 96
How many people have torn their ACL already? I completely tore my ACL in my right knee, and whats left of it is in a swollen ball in the back of my knee. Anyway, I made the situation worse by assuming nothing was wrong and skiing on it for another day.

What grafts are people getting? Im getting ham string grafts, has anyone had this operation done?

The doc told me and interesting fact; it is more painful to have a partial tear than a full tear. There is no ACL to hurt when its completely torn, but when its partially torn, everything hurts. "Its like taking off a bandaid; its better to take it off fast".


Dec 31 2011 4:12AM
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ImNotARacist
Posts: 5136 - Karma: -1,030
I Just had a hamstring graft 3 weeks ago.


I hate this. I haven't done anything more than a slow walk since october. I can finally lift now but not with my leg. Barely able to pedal a bike. My body is so out of wack with muscle loss and too much couch sitting. I want more percocet, it keeps my back from aching, but the damn doc wont give me anymore.

But I feel improvement everyday which is awesome. How long before you guys were able to have full extension in you knee? I have to stretch it a lot every morning and sleeping all night with it bent is the worst the next morning.

My physical therapist says 3 weeks is really nothing as far as ACL reconstruction.
Dec 31 2011 4:49AM
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skinakedfast
Posts: 1295 - Karma: 476
Ah man i'm really sorry to hear about your frustration but you will get there you know it keep pushing.
But to answer your questions. I had surgery 6 days ago. Do 90 Leg lifts a day but only with brace on can put weight on it and had full extension three days after surgery.But my flexion is pretty weird if i try to flex for the first time of the day it hurts really bad and it feels as if my knee is going to explode but the more extension i do the more fleixion and better it feels, actually its the greatest feeling in my knee ever. Seeing my PT tomorrow so excited PT is the greatest thing ever, Good luck with your recovery man!
Jan 5 2012 3:37AM
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rachie.b
Posts: 183 - Karma: 380
2 weeks post surgery was the worst for me. After I got back to rehab I did a lot better knowing I wasn't just sitting around. A year and a half post op now. It still hurts after skiing but nothing I can't handle.
Jan 5 2012 4:09AM
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ImNotARacist
Posts: 5136 - Karma: -1,030
Its week 4 now. I can walk pretty well but still really unstable and I have to be soo careful. Lots of little pains here and there. Im not starting to become really bored and my back hurts from sitting around.

On the plus side. Swelling is down a ton but still a good sized infusion. can straighten it pretty well and leg lifts are pretty easy.


PT is the best! It can hurt really bad at times but I always feel so great after leaving pt.
Jan 5 2012 11:17AM
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TheHamburglar
Posts: 3895 - Karma: 3,317
I had a cadaver graft. I heard negative things regarding cadavers from newschoolers but positive things from all other medical professionals, mostly because the recovery time is longer on the hammy graft. 7 months after, and my knee is almost as strong as the other, just working on continuing to build muscle. Skied once, conservatively, and it was a bit sore the day after. Taking all precautions to not blow any ligaments again.
Jan 5 2012 12:36PM
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B.Aussie
Posts: 5852 - Karma: 4,531
I personally got a Hamstring graft and that is what is predominantly done in Australia due to the unlikelihood the body will reject that graft. Whereas the only negative I've heard of the Cadaver graft is the possibility the body will reject it and the higher chance of serious infection. I was also told the period after surgery in which you are unable to move is longer on a cadaver? But I'm not sure if that's true, also your immune system is compromised more with a donor graft.
Jan 5 2012 12:42PM
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TheHamburglar
Posts: 3895 - Karma: 3,317
valid points. my surgeon told me something like "there is a one in a million chance you will contract hepatitis from a cadaver." I was putting full weight on my leg within 3-4 weeks if I remember correctly. Haven't noticed any difference on immune system, but its different for everybody. On a sidenote; flurries outside :D
Jan 5 2012 12:49PM
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snowbombz
Posts: 2456 - Karma: 96
getting a patella graft! Shittier recovery, but no permeant damage to my hamstrings this way! Hamstring grafts are slightly less strong apparently and the grafted area never fully recovers.
Jan 5 2012 1:02PM
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applejuice.
Posts: 5506 - Karma: 1,512
FUCK! I just want to get mine fixed already. It'll be 2 years in March since I tore mine. Ugh skiing sucks, walking sucks, everything sucks. I fucking hate it.
Jan 5 2012 1:05PM
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ImNotARacist
Posts: 5136 - Karma: -1,030
this depends a lot on your age/diet/habits

Jan 5 2012 1:07PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
going to my pre-op appointment monday. whoooop
Jan 5 2012 2:08PM
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Steve-Brown
Posts: 1894 - Karma: 810
dude, i tore my MCL a few weeks ago, i'm back in the game next weekend, but i kinda know how ya feel, good luck with recovery!
Jan 5 2012 4:26PM
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monkatizer
Posts: 4704 - Karma: 1,518
darn dude, that sucks!

++ vibes and good luck on recovery!

Jan 5 2012 4:32PM
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