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Reconstructive knee surgery yesterday.

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UilyJeff
Posts: 394 - Karma: 1,480
Well I finally went under the knife yesterday morning. The doc said that everything went good and my meniscus was in better shape than he expected. So after a new ACL and minor meniscus repair, I am at home doped out of my mind using the knee machine.

Bought myself a new set of Armada Bdogs Tuesday night for motivation to smash this physical therapy and get back to a strong knee again. I have them sitting next to my bed LOL!

If anyone has any advice feel free to chime in here. I'm laid up in bed so I am checking NS nonstop...bored out of my mind.

Snapchat is UilyJeff if you want some funny snaps of the progress.
Mar 26 2015 12:01PM
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senditsam
Posts: 70 - Karma: 63
Hope the recovery goes well for you. Do you have a stack of ski movies to help motivate you as well?
Mar 26 2015 12:34PM
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Pac2
Posts: 794 - Karma: 2,861
being injured for the first part just sucks, you cant move and its usually the most painful part. When im injured i usually play a lot of xbox or watch movies, just stay positive and have a quick recovery. Buying yourself b-dogs was definitely a good idea, not only will you have skiing again to look forward to but youll have a fresh pair of skis as well. goodluck!
Mar 26 2015 12:37PM
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Dobber
Posts: 1698 - Karma: 9,834
Damn. Knee injuries are one of my biggest fears. I really take it easy when skiing because I have so many other things that I like to do in the summer. Hope you heal fast man!
Mar 26 2015 1:00PM
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Caucasian_Asian
Posts: 2447 - Karma: 1,665
Physio. As much as you can. And listen to your surgeon.
Mar 26 2015 1:02PM
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Keystone14
Posts: 19 - Karma: 26
Same with me brother, been staring at my new Jskis since surgery. Fucking huck it, chuck it, and come back 110%.
Mar 26 2015 1:12PM
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AlfredHitchCAULK
Posts: 119 - Karma: 10
I had my ACL surgery a month ago tomorrow and I can totally relate, just make sure you do what the PT people tell you to do also make sure to massage the area and play around with your knee cap so scar tissue doesn't build up I there cuz apparently that's really bad, also focus on your extension stretches to get back the same range of motion you had and make sure you do enough quad squeezes that you don't get any atrophy
Mar 26 2015 2:12PM
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UilyJeff
Posts: 394 - Karma: 1,480
Keystone14Same with me brother, been staring at my new Jskis since surgery. Fucking huck it, chuck it, and come back 110%.


JM0N5T3RI had my ACL surgery a month ago tomorrow and I can totally relate, just make sure you do what the PT people tell you to do also make sure to massage the area and play around with your knee cap so scar tissue doesn't build up I there cuz apparently that's really bad, also focus on your extension stretches to get back the same range of motion you had and make sure you do enough quad squeezes that you don't get any atrophy

Damn looks like you both are laid up too. How are you doing after 1 month jmon5t3r?

I've been adhering to a strict diet already and focusing on eating right and my range of motion. I wish they gave me something more for pain however. Once the nerve block wore off the meds can't keep up good.
Mar 26 2015 2:21PM
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UilyJeff
Posts: 394 - Karma: 1,480
Keystone14Same with me brother, been staring at my new Jskis since surgery. Fucking huck it, chuck it, and come back 110%.


When did you have surgery?
Mar 26 2015 2:23PM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6890 - Karma: 24,546
Keep it up with the ice. My wife had that surgery and she was back on skis in under a year. First few weeks after the surgery she spent most of the time icing and tripping out to classic rock. Sometimes I could leave and ski all day and she didn't even know I left. Those pills are powerful stuff so be careful.
Mar 26 2015 2:54PM
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bhaines
Posts: 47 - Karma: 153
I've been there op. I had two knee reconstructions during the winter last year, but mine were for my knee caps. The actual surgery is not that bad, but the first few weeks of recovery suck assss. Just remember that netflix is your friend. Best of luck with the recovery process op.
Mar 26 2015 2:56PM
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Keystone14
Posts: 19 - Karma: 26
UilyJeffWhen did you have surgery?



month and a half? month? I don't know, it gets better. It always always gets better, better than someone having to start a thread about you dying. Thats all I keep telling myself
Mar 26 2015 3:17PM
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UilyJeff
Posts: 394 - Karma: 1,480
OregonDeadKeep it up with the ice. My wife had that surgery and she was back on skis in under a year. First few weeks after the surgery she spent most of the time icing and tripping out to classic rock. Sometimes I could leave and ski all day and she didn't even know I left. Those pills are powerful stuff so be careful.


I blew it out the first weekend in February. I actually did PT for 4 weeks on it and was able to ski a little for the last few weeks. They said building up the need first before surgery would make my recovery faster as well. It's the first time I've ever been put under anesthesia too. I thought I was only asleep for 2 seconds hahahah!
Mar 26 2015 4:20PM
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louie.mirags
Posts: 6015 - Karma: 5,029
OregonDeadThose pills are powerful stuff so be careful.


I hope for a speedy recovery and take only new skis and a new knee of this and not a new pill addiction for sure! good luck man!
Mar 26 2015 4:34PM
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UilyJeff
Posts: 394 - Karma: 1,480
louie.miragsI hope for a speedy recovery and take only new skis and a new knee of this and not a new pill addiction for sure! good luck man!


Hell yes! Never been a pill guy and these aren't working anyway. I'd rather use herbal remedies.

Thanks for the words and vibes everyone!


-that one old dude
Mar 26 2015 5:29PM
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reBlocke
Posts: 762 - Karma: 1,502
The piece of advice I always leave in these threads is to make sure you get with a PT that works with athletes. Your average PT does not have accurate expectations for how hard a motivated Teen/Young adult can push themselves, and how fast you'll recover. Rehabbing hard and smart (for at least 6 months, even after you stop with frequent PT visits) is the only thing that really makes a difference in your recovery.

Oh, and don't go skiing before 6 months. That matters too.
Mar 26 2015 8:07PM
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UilyJeff
Posts: 394 - Karma: 1,480
reBlockeThe piece of advice I always leave in these threads is to make sure you get with a PT that works with athletes. Your average PT does not have accurate expectations for how hard a motivated Teen/Young adult can push themselves, and how fast you'll recover. Rehabbing hard and smart (for at least 6 months, even after you stop with frequent PT visits) is the only thing that really makes a difference in your recovery.

Oh, and don't go skiing before 6 months. That matters too.



Solid advice! I have a great physical therapist that works specifically with athletes.
Mar 26 2015 10:11PM
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bostonuj
Posts: 110 - Karma: 45
i just got the surgery late january. it gets better everyday honestly. focus on trying to keep it as straight as possible after the surgery as well so it doesn't tighten up when you're just chilling
Mar 26 2015 10:22PM
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Alex_G
Posts: 11902 - Karma: 1,019
get off the opiates in a week. use cannabis edibles instead. addiction is a nasty nasty mess
Mar 26 2015 10:47PM
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eheath
Posts: 61601 - Karma: 123,020
reBlockeThe piece of advice I always leave in these threads is to make sure you get with a PT that works with athletes. Your average PT does not have accurate expectations for how hard a motivated Teen/Young adult can push themselves, and how fast you'll recover. Rehabbing hard and smart (for at least 6 months, even after you stop with frequent PT visits) is the only thing that really makes a difference in your recovery.

Oh, and don't go skiing before 6 months. That matters too.


Yeah I did a specific athlete rehab when I tore my acl and they defintely got my muscles back to normal in like 4-5 months.
Mar 26 2015 11:27PM
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zzaander123
Posts: 35 - Karma: 81
hope your recovery goes well. i had my acl reconstructed about 8 weeks ago, and all i can say is that it is terrible until about week three. once you can do the strait leg lifts about 20 times your golden and its all smooth sailin from there.
ps its is also pretty unfortunate because i also got a pair of the b dogs and from the time i purchased them to when they were done mounting them is when the fall happened.

heal well
Mar 27 2015 1:31AM
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UilyJeff
Posts: 394 - Karma: 1,480
zzaander123ps its is also pretty unfortunate because i also got a pair of the b dogs and from the time i purchased them to when they were done mounting them is when the fall happened.

heal well


That's crazy! Next season we'll both be riding some sick skis.
Mar 27 2015 6:19AM
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chunk.
Posts: 115 - Karma: 316
Just take it easy and think positive. Do exactly what your PT/ surgeon tells you. Also, get off the pain killers as soon as you can. I was on them for almost 9 months after a foot surgery and getting off of them was almost worse than the surgery its self. Good luck with it man!
Mar 27 2015 11:38AM
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Sir_SkrillALot
Posts: 1736 - Karma: 668
Idk about you guys but I'm bout a year out and flexibility and everything is great besides muscle mass and actual strength in the leg... Still a bit lacking and cant do pistol squats (which I used to be able to do).

I was also out for like ~8 weeks total of no walking or anything though so not sure if that matters.
Mar 27 2015 1:47PM
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UilyJeff
Posts: 394 - Karma: 1,480
Sir_SkrillALotIdk about you guys but I'm bout a year out and flexibility and everything is great besides muscle mass and actual strength in the leg... Still a bit lacking and cant do pistol squats (which I used to be able to do).

I was also out for like ~8 weeks total of no walking or anything though so not sure if that matters.


It seems to me like you definitely need to talk to your physical therapist some more. They said that my leg should be stronger than it ever was after 6 to 8 months. From what I've researched that seems to be the standard.

I currently have it at 70° in the knee machine yet.
Mar 28 2015 9:35AM
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Jamartini
Posts: 408 - Karma: 1,663
Had my ACL reconstructed 4 weeks ago, already have 125 degrees of motion, almost walking... do your quad sets, the sooner you straighten your knee the sooner you can effectively make it stronger.
Mar 28 2015 9:45AM
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UilyJeff
Posts: 394 - Karma: 1,480
JamartiniHad my ACL reconstructed 4 weeks ago, already have 125 degrees of motion, almost walking... do your quad sets, the sooner you straighten your knee the sooner you can effectively make it stronger.


That's awesome! I've been working at repetitively making it straight and quad flexes already three days after surgery. The four weeks of physical therapy prior to surgery I did I'm hoping are going to make this a lot easier.

Good vibes man!
Mar 28 2015 10:26AM
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AlfredHitchCAULK
Posts: 119 - Karma: 10
UilyJeffDamn looks like you both are laid up too. How are you doing after 1 month jmon5t3r?

I've been adhering to a strict diet already and focusing on eating right and my range of motion. I wish they gave me something more for pain however. Once the nerve block wore off the meds can't keep up good.


pretty good I can walk now!
Apr 6 2015 9:20AM
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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,014
yeah, i had surgery on my ACL in may, and am finally getting back to feeling normal. just stick with the PT, do what they say. don't push it and do something stupid, the last thing you want to do is re tear. listen to what your doctor says and dont be afraid to call with questions.

good luck man, you'll be skiing in no time.
Apr 6 2015 9:31AM
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Zimmy
Posts: 1258 - Karma: -1,327
What proportions of knee reconstruction involve an implantation of something synthetic or a graft of some kind?
Apr 6 2015 11:17AM
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UilyJeff
Posts: 394 - Karma: 1,480
JM0N5T3Rpretty good I can walk now!


Peter.yeah, i had surgery on my ACL in may, and am finally getting back to feeling normal. just stick with the PT, do what they say. don't push it and do something stupid, the last thing you want to do is re tear. listen to what your doctor says and dont be afraid to call with questions.

good luck man, you'll be skiing in no time.


Thanks!
I meet with my doc in a couple hours for follow up. I am bending at 110 degrees 10 hours a day and starting to apply pressure. Hopefully all goes well.
Apr 6 2015 1:45PM
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UilyJeff
Posts: 394 - Karma: 1,480
ADRIA-T.PIMPWhat proportions of knee reconstruction involve an implantation of something synthetic or a graft of some kind?



This will give you an idea. I opted for a cadaver Achilles instead of using my own ligaments
Apr 6 2015 1:47PM
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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,014
UilyJeffThanks!
I meet with my doc in a couple hours for follow up. I am bending at 110 degrees 10 hours a day and starting to apply pressure. Hopefully all goes well.


Yeah been there. It's good to keep up with your bending because you get scar tissue and that makes it super hard / painful to bend. I slacked off a little and paid the price
Apr 6 2015 2:30PM
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Bloviator
Posts: 45 - Karma: 13
I've had both knees done at different times. One was ACL plus minor miniscus tear, and they other was ACL and MCL.

Another vote for follow the PT instructions religiously for the first 16 weeks. Don't mess with the schedule. You may think in week 5 that you can do more, and want to push it, but you may re-injure at that time, so stay on schedule even if you think it's not enough. Later on, if you want to get a rowing machine this will help a ton. Start on the very lowest resistance setting, and just do smooth reps twice a day. Low resistance, high reps, stop if you feel any sensitivity.

Plan on some light skiing next Feb or maybe Mar, but don't plan a full season the first year back. Just give it time to mend well. After a full year, should be good as new. Plenty of knew repairs are pushed too fast and wind up with re-injury.

Again, don't smash the PT schedule thinking you're Mr recovery. Follow the plan.
Apr 6 2015 2:45PM
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Zimmy
Posts: 1258 - Karma: -1,327
UilyJeffThis will give you an idea. I opted for a cadaver Achilles instead of using my own ligaments


Wow, that's gnarly. Is there a risk the body rejects it? Do you have to take immunodepressant drugs like after having received a new transplanted organ? Anyhow, good luck with the recovery.
Apr 6 2015 4:16PM
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Zimmy
Posts: 1258 - Karma: -1,327
.. wait you've already done your achilles and now your knee? Something's just not right here, do you think you're pushing too hard or overestimating your abilities, or, just don't care about pain/injuries? What's your goal with skiing (if any)?
Apr 6 2015 4:26PM
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Bloviator
Posts: 45 - Karma: 13
No, the tissue used to repair the ACL was from a dead person. It's called an allograft. They can use tissue from your own body, or from a cadaver. I chose own tissue for my reasons. PT is a little harder if they use own tissue.

Another thing to discuss is the potential for blood clots. Ask if you should start a regimen of mild thinners after the surgical repair is complete.
Apr 6 2015 4:35PM
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UilyJeff
Posts: 394 - Karma: 1,480
BloviatorNo, the tissue used to repair the ACL was from a dead person. It's called an allograft. They can use tissue from your own body, or from a cadaver. I chose own tissue for my reasons. PT is a little harder if they use own tissue.

Another thing to discuss is the potential for blood clots. Ask if you should start a regimen of mild thinners after the surgical repair is complete.


BOOM! Knee immobilizer is off and all clear to start PT!
Apr 6 2015 5:26PM
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Bloviator
Posts: 45 - Karma: 13
UilyJeffBOOM! Knee immobilizer is off and all clear to start PT!


Remember, take it easy. Ask about Coumadin, low dose. One more piece of advise and I'll let you go. Forget the cane if you have one. Just go slow and avoid twisting that leg when it's got weight on it. Good luck.
Apr 6 2015 6:48PM
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razors-chaz
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 1,250
I had surgery start of july last year and was back skiing with a brace by the first week of january (with the approval of my surgeon) following going to the gym 3-4 times a week and physio gym sessions every week until then. starting focussing on core and arms alot more and then once given the clear from my surgeon and pt started work on my legs. now 9 months down the line with about 21 days of all kinds of skiing from steeps to park kickers and gunning it down groomers its feels great, muscle mass is about equal between my legs and little to no bother with it after taking a couple of mellow warm up laps and stretching out before doing anything serious. My tip would be to find something constructive to do while you're not as mobile. I had no job, nothing really to work on for the first 3 months and it was hell, ended up pretty depressed but once i found work and was able to do more in the gym started to feel happier. people always focus on the physical recovery but you've got to maintain the mental health aswell because sitting on your ass not being able to do much for months fucking sucks.
Apr 7 2015 11:32AM
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