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February, 2025

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ACL surgery

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7springsprod
Posts: 2661 - Karma: 3,181
Sooo, I have been diagnosed with a full torn ACL. The orthopaedic surgeon gave me 2 treatment options. 1) being rehabilitation of the muscles of the knee and recovery time is said to be 3-4 months. Obviously, surgery is the other option. I really dont want surgery, but is it true that it is the best long run option with its huge recovery time? I without a doubt in my mind will return to skiing when everything is said and done with my knee, but I am very hesitant to pick either option. Do you have any stories, opinions, or help you could offer?
Jan 19 2013 12:37PM
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*TURBONERD*
Posts: 15094 - Karma: 9,275
Surgery. I'm on my second tear, my father is an orthopaedic surgeon, and he never mentioned any other option.
Jan 19 2013 12:39PM
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flyers1kak
Posts: 4 - Karma: 13
You're fucked
Jan 19 2013 12:40PM
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avocado.
Posts: 262 - Karma: 247
if you are young( under 16) i think you could get through without surgery or fix it after 18.
I had 2 tears of same acl(second resulting a total tear) and i worked so hard on pt. when i ski my legs feel strong and firm, but i hate the fact that i must think and be careful because of bigger chance of further injuries to damaged knee. I am 16 now and i am sure i will go to the surgery at some point of my life just to stop fucking worrying about will something or will something not be too much for my knee.
Jan 19 2013 1:18PM
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taylornicky
Posts: 2889 - Karma: 2,579
I think you should get surgery. In May I got a patellar tendon graft, and my skiing is back to normal even without a brace. Just rehab strong and don't slack off while rehabbing. I only went to physical therapy for one month (was going abroad after that month), and I regret not working on it more. I wasn't even given the option to not get surgery. Get surgery.
Jan 19 2013 1:32PM
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skinakedfast
Posts: 1296 - Karma: 494
dude shut the fuck up, what motivation do you have to hate on someone when they suffer a season ending injury you fucking suck dude.

But to answer your question OP go with surgery man, i blew my knee last year full ACL tear ya man it sucks the season is over and surgery is a drag as is the immediate weeks that follow. But dude go through with it and rehab hard and next year you won't even realize you did anything.
I went with the hamstring graft and it was a good choice i had no pain in my hamstring and it feels good when i ski.
Like i said man work hard stay motivated its one season, yes it blows but you'll be back at it and man is skiing amazing when you haven't in so long it's a rebirth of a love. In my opinion go with surgery bro, work hard, stay motivated, and rehab is actually fun to see you getting stronger and know you will be back at it. Good luck man I was there last year it gets better stay positive!
PM with any questions too man!
also invest in a mosu ball they're amazing for work outs

Jan 19 2013 2:04PM
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eheath
Posts: 61836 - Karma: 125,529
If you wanna ski get surgery
Jan 19 2013 2:38PM
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mklammer
Posts: 388 - Karma: 610
i have the 2nd surgery in 8 months on february 6th, cause i tore it again after 7 months. i think its the best option cause i tried it without the first time, but it felt very unconfortable.
Jan 19 2013 4:58PM
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Stickity
Posts: 7750 - Karma: 769
i'll kiss it to make it better
Jan 19 2013 4:59PM
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5676 - Karma: 4,299
Surgery. I got mine done a few months after I turned 18, I'm gonna be 21 in march, it's fine now. If you don't you'll probably hurt yourself. I lived with mine torn for like two months, I tried skateboarding and when I tried to do a fakie bigspin or something the flicking motion caused a ton of pain. Like roll all over the ground pain. So I'd imagine any time you tried to ski it wouldn't be too comfortable, especially if you torque that leg falling or something. I ski with the knee brace though.


Jan 19 2013 11:50PM
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TropicStorm
Posts: 239 - Karma: 206
for once i agree with eheath
Jan 20 2013 12:10AM
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RockNRollNghtClb
Posts: 2013 - Karma: 2,509
i hope you tear your ACL
Jan 20 2013 12:24AM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
the only reason you dont get surgery is if you dont have health insurance.

3-4 months will get you to be able to do normal stuff perfectly fine. but athletically you will be severely limited.
Jan 20 2013 2:29AM
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volvotom
Posts: 2045 - Karma: 712
Not entirely true.

Some people just prefer a less invasive approach.
Jan 20 2013 8:26AM
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HWW
Posts: 3084 - Karma: 3,436
No.

You can choose whether you get surgery or not, if you are aware of the options. I was offered surgery and chose to have it, but the specialist doctor I visited said that for people over around 35 or 40, especially if they aren't sporty, then he wouldn't really recommend surgery.

Your ACL can't heal from a full tear, but other tissue will do some of the job and you can get your knee functioning almost properly again. I was running on my knee three months after the tear, before surgery, and it was fine, I just had to be careful.

Make sure that if you have surgery, you follow the guidance for rehab and make sure you don't start anything too early. Another tear is the worst thing that can happen after all the stuff you've been through.

Best of luck!
Jan 20 2013 8:54AM
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Vinci
Posts: 701 - Karma: 1,472
I would at least consider option 1.

I guess in the US surgeons (or orthopedics, which most times is pretty much the same) are eager to talk people into replacing it, because that's the only way they earn money from insurance. If you feel fine without ACL why go through all the trouble with surgery?

Back in 2008/9 I skied a whole season without ACL and if I wouldn't have torn my MCL the following summer I would've never gotten it replaced. I skied 100% that time, 20m tables, 10m cliff drops, no worries at all. It really depends on your knee and muscle structure, some people can pull it off and others, even if very muscular and trained, can't.
Jan 20 2013 10:20AM
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idskithat
Posts: 1314 - Karma: 154
speaking of knees i have a question. When i put alot of pressure on my left knee (say landing backseat) it hurts the back left on my knee. Does anyone know what this would be? like did i partially tear something or strain it? any help= +K
Jan 20 2013 10:30AM
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ChillTeenDad420
Posts: 1858 - Karma: 5,512
If you want to fully regain your athletic abilities in the quickest possible time, get surgery ASAP. You can work the shit out of your knee with a torn ACL, and be relatively strong, but without an ACL the stability of twisting/turning just will never be 100%, and torsion sports like skiing will be especially dangerous to the rest of your knee.

I had surgery a little over 3 weeks ago, and I'm still in a locked brace and crutches (because of my additional torn medial and lateral menisci), but overall the experience isn't horrible. The pain never gets close to unbearable so don't let the idea of pain stop you from getting surgery. If you only tore your ACL and no other issues, you'd be walking around without crutches in about 10 days.

basically like eheath said, if you wanna ski get it done. I don't know your specific case but I got the patellar tendon graft, thats what I had and its supposedly the "gold standard", heals the quickest, can actually regrow, lowest reinjury rate for young people, etc. Good luck bro, ACL injuries aren't the end of the world, just look at Adrian Peterson, if you get it fixed, you can come back 100% if you work hard
Jan 20 2013 12:04PM
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s.parker
Posts: 1041 - Karma: 259
This, you wont be able to support yourself when you land without an ACL.

No question get surgery.
Jan 20 2013 12:06PM
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skinakedfast
Posts: 1296 - Karma: 494
woah man that's a little far, I couldn't wish that upon anyone that loves skiing ever. His karma will come don't bring the bad ju ju on yourself.

But OP still hope you're thinking about surgery man.
Jan 20 2013 1:10PM
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HWW
Posts: 3084 - Karma: 3,436
I don't agree with this.

In your case it may have been so, and it probably depends on the drugs they give you, but I remember having at least a few short periods of bad, close to unbearable pain after the OP.

One thing was due to the way they wrapped my leg in bandages, that fucked up a nerve in my toe and it was like having pins & needles for several weeks afterwards, but of course this isn't standard. I had drainage tubes in my knee (I guess this is normal) - when the doctor pulled those out there was a sharp, nasty pain that made me want to smack something very, very hard.

After a while, when I was still on crutches, I went for my check up and there was still some swelling. Doc decided that it would be better to reduce that a bit and drained some fluid, that hurt like a motherfucker.

Otherwise there weren't really many painful moments, except for the first few days after surgery when everything you do, all the little movements, hurt somewhat, but bearable.

Just want you to be prepared and know that at times, it can be nasty, but you will pull through alright and be very glad once you're done.



WARNING
DO NOT WATCH VID IF SCARED OF BLOOD


















































Jan 20 2013 1:29PM
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7springsprod
Posts: 2661 - Karma: 3,181
So for an update, I will be scheduling for surgery tomorrow at the earliest time possible. Im moving out to colorado next year (from PA) so I guess it will be kind of a treat after all this is wrapped up. Thanks for the opinions guys.
Jan 20 2013 1:51PM
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Swervasaurus
Posts: 615 - Karma: 185
tore my acl first week of winter break and i have surgery on thursday with the hamstring graft
it sucks so unbelievably bad i feel your pain
Jan 20 2013 2:54PM
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Stickity
Posts: 7750 - Karma: 769
don't fuck around with rehabbing it. i plan on shredding hard next year since this season eats donkey dick
Jan 20 2013 3:01PM
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7springsprod
Posts: 2661 - Karma: 3,181
Good, and youre coming out to visit me and we will shred the amazingness of colorado.
Jan 20 2013 3:45PM
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taylornicky
Posts: 2889 - Karma: 2,579
Awesome! Happy surgery and rehab as much as you'll be able to.
Jan 21 2013 11:33AM
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arnie_grape
Posts: 3457 - Karma: 11,885
I'm going to bump this because there are enough busted knee threads.

I fully tore my acl and meniscus and strained my mcl just over 2 weeks ago and I'm trying to get surgery around the end of march. I was told 9 months for recovery but I'll feel completely strong and fine after 3 months. I'll probably find out later from the surgeon but what kind of stuff will retear it? obviously rotating shit like skiing but will I be able to run or anything in the 9 months? how easy is it to re-tear?
Feb 4 2013 10:37PM
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7springsprod
Posts: 2661 - Karma: 3,181
I had my pre-surgery appointment with my surgeon like a week ago. Hes a real cool doc. He also works with the Pittsburgh Pirates so I know hes good. He told me that due to the aggresive nature of my skiing, there would be a 3/4 chance I would re-tear it later on down the road. To most people Ive talked to about recovery time, its about 3-4 months to gain full strength and mobility back but 1year for it to fully heal.

My surgery is febuary 12th, Ill be getting a hamstring graft. Wish me luck guys!
Feb 4 2013 10:41PM
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TK.
Posts: 268 - Karma: 220
Get the surgery so you can make a quicker retern to skiing and so hopefully you can prevent it from happening again
Feb 4 2013 10:50PM
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TK.
Posts: 268 - Karma: 220
Get the surgery so you can make a quicker retern to skiing and so hopefully you can prevent it from happening again
Feb 4 2013 10:51PM
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Stickity
Posts: 7750 - Karma: 769
clearly you read the thread

also, i hope they accidentally remove your balls instead of fix your acl
Feb 4 2013 10:55PM
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AwR
Posts: 5148 - Karma: 1,898
Shit is expensive. Good luck mane!
Feb 4 2013 10:57PM
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bdowning
Posts: 1630 - Karma: 249
Surgery, good luck man!
Feb 5 2013 9:09AM
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mg.
Posts: 752 - Karma: 74
Surgery, even in Canadian's healthcare system we would recommend it. Especially since an ACL deficient knee has such a high risk of a subsequent medial meniscal tear which, if occurs =early OA for you.
Feb 5 2013 9:23AM
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icon1234
Posts: 3081 - Karma: 1,474
If you ever want to do play sports again I would get the surgery. And yes I read that you are doing, but I am just saying in general.
Feb 5 2013 10:47AM
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HWW
Posts: 3084 - Karma: 3,436
lol

i had acl reconstruction surgery, and my parents wanted me to put a massive STOP sign in marker pen on the other knee, because they were worried that the surgeon might miss. i did it, and when they went to mark my legs up the morning of surgery (this is the standard process) they had a pretty good laugh.

wish you a good surgery & recovery OP!
Feb 5 2013 11:42AM
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dan4060
Posts: 1458 - Karma: 847

I would go surgery.

I had my ACL done, and it is fine.  I have had no further problems with it.  In the long run, your best option is to get it fixed and move on.

I hurt my knee in early January of my last ski bum year.  I knew I was going to grad school, so I got a brace made and tried to ski out the rest of the year.  After a month and a half I realized I just couldn't push it the way I wanted to.  It was all mental, but the instability made me more cautious, to the point where I just did not want to keep going.  I got my surgery and am fine today.  I don't ski 120 days a year anymore, more like 35-40, but if I were to leave my job and go back to the mountains I would have no reluctance in trusting my knee.  I excercise a lot, which will be important.  Stong leg muscles will give you stability once your new ACL is in place.  Strength won't mean you can't tear it again, but it does give you better odds.

How strong is your leg right now?  You want it as strong as possible before surgery, as you will lose muscle in rehab.  From what I have heard, the stronger you are going in, the faster you will rehab.

Good luck.

Feb 5 2013 6:58PM
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joriza.ski
Posts: 1652 - Karma: 2,170
I feel bad for you son. i sawyou riding durinf winter break. Keep it real feel better
Feb 6 2013 12:02AM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
you will never be back to normal if you dont have it repaired. that is a fact.


therefore, the only plausible explanation for not gettting the surgery is if you dont plan on living a fun active lifestyle like before, or if you dont have insurance and cant cover the huge cost of surgery.

If you have a TBI and had the option of surgery to fully regain function, or just rehabbing and gaining back 75% of normal function which would you choose?
Feb 6 2013 1:19AM
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HWW
Posts: 3084 - Karma: 3,436
you will never be back to normal after surgery either. a reconstructed ligament just isn't the same as a healthy, undamaged ligament.

if i had a tbi then i would go for surgery, also. although there isn't much function in there anyway so idk if it would matter.
Feb 6 2013 3:22AM
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7springsprod
Posts: 2661 - Karma: 3,181
My surgery got rescheduled for this friday! Surgery on 2/8/12. Wish me luck guys! Ill post pics and stuff in this thread to keep you guys updated. Thanks for all the support.
Feb 6 2013 3:38PM
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arnie_grape
Posts: 3457 - Karma: 11,885
If you get surgery there is only a 10% chance of re-tearing. Without surgery your knee will never work the same and make it extremely easy to tear your other ligaments.
Feb 6 2013 9:48PM
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dan4060
Posts: 1458 - Karma: 847
Hope all goes well.  Kick ass in rehab and you will ski as well as ever.
Feb 7 2013 3:31PM
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Alec*Messerly
Posts: 19 - Karma: 42

i tore my Acl last year and i was able to ski 6 months after i still have to wear a brace but in the long run it will be better to get surgery or it might effect you for the rest of your life.

Feb 7 2013 5:07PM
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7springsprod
Posts: 2661 - Karma: 3,181
Im on my way home from the hospital right now, pics to come when I get home! Doc said he was extremely pleased with how it went and the graft was near perfect! So stoked!
Feb 8 2013 2:41PM
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joriza.ski
Posts: 1652 - Karma: 2,170
Sounds like everything went well. feel better son!
Feb 8 2013 8:30PM
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7springsprod
Posts: 2661 - Karma: 3,181
Click for larger image

Click for larger image

Click for larger image

Had the surgery yesterday and started physical therapy today already. Knee hurts but Im on the road to recovery!
Feb 9 2013 9:32AM
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*TURBONERD*
Posts: 15094 - Karma: 9,275
I have that exact same brace right now haha. No PT yet since I'm at college, though. You're lucky!
Feb 10 2013 11:49AM
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JTTrembles
Posts: 1108 - Karma: 1,907
Getting surgery for my ACL in a week, I'm a little nervous...
Feb 20 2013 9:24PM
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kaminsteez
Posts: 16 - Karma: 23
Much luck to you brother! I tore mine right around the same time as you but I'm opting for the no surgery route. To each his own, but all the best to you on your recovery.

Don't forget to afterbang in rehab!
Feb 20 2013 9:57PM
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7springsprod
Posts: 2661 - Karma: 3,181
Just a bump and update. Im 4 months out of surgery and the knee feels fantastic! I'm really starting to work hard on strengthening now. I can do everything I want again except for athletics. Ive been doing some jogging and stuff and I have to say that this coming season will be amazing. After a shitty 2 day season in PA, I'm headed to college in CO and will be able to hit up Steamboat and Powderhorn. Such a present for going through all this. Thanks for the support everybody!
Jun 11 2013 3:16PM
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