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theabortionator
April, 2025

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Partially Torn ACL

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ScootSkiLyfe
Posts: 1071 - Karma: 5,761
Hello NS, just thought I would put this out to see if anyone had any insight/could relate to my issues.

Almost 4 years ago now, I tore my ACL skateboarding and had reconstructive surgery in the summer of 2016. The surgery was successful, and while it took me a while to recover (around a year), I returned to skiing the 2017 season and was feeling good. I haven't had any issues with it up until two weekends ago, when I yardsaled and twisted my knee around. Luckily my bindings ejected at the right time, but I heard a popping noise in my knee and went down. I instantly started freaking out because I thought I had retorn my ACL. I moved my leg around a bit, stood up on it, and felt it out. It felt mostly stable and not very painful, so I skied down. I ended up going home after that run.

I have had knee pain since, with a bit of swelling. I decided to go into the doctor just to make sure everything was okay. Doctor gave me a physical exam and assured me that all of the ligaments as well as my meniscus were fine. I was hyped, so, that being said, I went skiing the next day. Knee felt pretty stable, but as soon as I tried a few nose butters maneuvers, a bunch of pain shot up in what felt like the inside of my knee. It seems like anytime I lean forward into my skis and my hamstrings engage, there is a bunch of pain in my knee.

I am worried this could mean a partially torn ACL. Does anyone else have any insight on this? I am not sure exactly what precautions/treatments to take. I really want to keep skiing 3-4 days a week, but if taking a little break means prolonging the use of my knee that seems like the smart thing to do. As far as treatments, exercises? Icing? Bracing, yes or no? Not sure if I should just push through the pain and try to take it easy skiing or what.

Thankful nothing is completely torn/that the doctor said I'm all good. Just want to make sure I don't damage anything further. I really don't want to go through surgery again.
5 years ago
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PeeDuBzz
Posts: 1010 - Karma: 134
Based on my experience, Doctors can do the "table test" where they feel around and usually can easily tell if your ACL is fully torn based on front to back movement of your lower leg at the knee joint. I had a scare before tearing my ACL fully and the Dr. told me it's likely a sprained / partially torn MCL. "Take it easy and you'll be fine" they said. Kept skiing and sure enough after another 20+ days on snow my knee buckled on a jump and that was it. Would I have been in better shape if I took it easy? Maybe, but who knows.

Facts are, without an MRI they probably can't tell if your ACL is partially torn or fully in tact. You're probably best to take it easy until at least that pain goes away. As for exercises, anything that strengthens the muscles around your knee are all great for injury prevention. Stationary bike is great alongside anything that strengthens the quad / hamstrings. Single leg step ups / squats or single leg dead lifts for the hamstrings etc etc.

May want a second opinion from a Dr. but otherwise good luck!
5 years ago
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leprechaunsissy
Posts: 645 - Karma: 239
I had the same issue. If I have a bad fall, i feel a pop, and have trouble using my leg for a couple weeks while the swelling goes down. That’s the ligament tweaking and causing swelling. But anyway, your doctor will have the best answer.
5 years ago
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eheeth
Posts: 459 - Karma: 2,530
Grade 2 ACL tears are fairly rare, normally you either just sprain it, or full tear.

That being said they obviously do happen though. They can be a pain, because other than generally pain and swelling, they have fairly non-specific symptoms (like the instability that comes with a grade 3), although you can still hear a pop when it happens.

The best thing to do is go to a doctor and explain your concern and actually ask to get a referral for an MRI (not a CT if they just try and fuck you around). They might try say it's not necessary, but say you need to for your own piece of mind, because they're the only real method to effectively diagnose the partial tear
5 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52577 - Karma: 174,025
I tore something in the old knee last season. Shes pretty fucked but no health insurance. I started rocking a brace for support this seadon and thats helped. I need something a little stiffer but def noticeably less wobbly after riding.
5 years ago
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ScootSkiLyfe
Posts: 1071 - Karma: 5,761
theabortionatorI tore something in the old knee last season. Shes pretty fucked but no health insurance. I started rocking a brace for support this seadon and thats helped. I need something a little stiffer but def noticeably less wobbly after riding.


Yea, I'm on a high deductable plan (still on parent's insurance tho), so trying to avoid costly things if possible. Even though pretty much everything is expensive. Makes me supportive of universal health care.

I think my folks are sending me my knee brace that I used after surgery for a bit. Hopefully that will help.

Did you do any PT or anything for it?

**This post was edited on Feb 3rd 2020 at 11:34:42pm
5 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52577 - Karma: 174,025
ScootSkiLyfeYea, I'm on a high deductable plan (still on parent's insurance tho), so trying to avoid costly things if possible. Even though pretty much everything is expensive. Makes me supportive of universal health care.

I think my folks are sending me my knee brace that I used after surgery for a bit. Hopefully that will help.

Did you do any PT or anything for it?

**This post was edited on Feb 3rd 2020 at 11:34:42pm


Nah im poor and no insurance. I did years back on that knee when I tore it and had insurance. Trying to strengthen it a bit on my own but havent done as much as Ive wanted to. Always scared to push it on my own.

Ive been good about recognizing when its starting to get beat up and quiting and dipping out even on good days instead of riding till I can barely walk to the car.

High deductibles suck but good you have something and at least know whats up. It seems strengthening it is generally pretty good for most stuff. Hopefully you can do some pt wothout spending too much. Pt is always dope because theyll push you hard as fuck sometimes but in the right direction. Its scary at least to me going too hard and fucking things up worse.

Hopefully she heals up well for ya!
5 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52577 - Karma: 174,025
Also def get a brace on it for skiing. Have s bunch of friends with fucked knees and the consensus is that braces are good. I have a mire hardcore don joy one from when I cracked my femur like 13 years ago at my parents house. I might give it a whirl if I can find it when I visit my parents house. Friend in aussie can only ride with a similar one. Keeps the lateral movement to a minimum. Says it's a little hard to tweak grabs or butter but having a knee that kinda works is better than blowing it to shit in 2 runs.

Just be careful
5 years ago
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xxACIDTRIPxx
Posts: 5980 - Karma: 8,185
Switch to a fruit diet for recovery.
5 years ago
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KingW3
Posts: 55 - Karma: 325
A good brace is key! I’ve had two knee surgeries (2012, 2016) with a torn ACL and meniscus then another torn ACL,MCL, meniscus landing sideways on a jump in NC trying to avoid killing two children skiing across the blind landing. Thankfully my doctor /surgeon was incredible and got me skiing again every season with PT. In 2018, terrible weather in NC one day and tried to hit the last feature despite crazy wind and bad visibility. Didn’t realize the last blower was pointed straight at feature so as soon as I landed 270, I stuck completely and it threw me forward and instantly shattered collarbone. I also heard the knee pop but shoulder had me in worse pain so I focused on that. Drove back an hour and a half with broken collarbone and dislocated knee. Got knee scanned and was told I had a partially torn meniscus and ACL.. Doc said it wasn’t worth doing a third surgery and I was skeptical about being able to ski again with the constant shooting pain in knee. But he was right and the next season im back on skis after Physical Therapy. So constant strengthening, a great brace, nice knee sleeve, and some extra padding/inserts to provide stability in boots has me feeling great. Changing my boot setup to as compact as possible gave me comfort, stability, and eliminated the shock or shooting pains in knee and ligaments. Best of luck, partially torn ACL sucks but there are ways to minimize the pain and risk of further injury. Good luck on the journey but you’ll be good!
5 years ago
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johnblaze
Posts: 1543 - Karma: 2,839
Assuming you still have your brace from the surgery; keep that thing on, and it should prevent it from tearing.
5 years ago
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Ljit
Posts: 1 - Karma: 12
Even with a reconstructed ACL the stability will still not be 100%. I would recommend a custom brace if it's within your budget, I currently have no ACL in my left knee and am able to ski fine as long as I have my brace on.
5 years ago
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LivingDaLife
Posts: 352 - Karma: 1,349
Get an MRI, that's your best choice. If you don't have good insurance/don't have insurance, you should be able to find one where they'll give you Medicaid prices - so around 400-500$.
5 years ago
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SkierPT
Posts: 2209 - Karma: 4,910
Feel free to DM me. I’m a physical therapist and may be able to help
5 years ago
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elcheapo
Posts: 3449 - Karma: 13,983
I snapped the acls in my right knee but the doc said better to not have surgery if possible and the the muscles would compensate eventually. For the next 3-4 years my knee would kinda want to slip out of joint randomly but wore a brace when I skied .I ditched the brace in 04ish and have had not one problem since.
If it was me I'd probably lay low for the rest of the season so not to completely mess it up further and be in a bigger mess .
5 years ago
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SkierPT
Posts: 2209 - Karma: 4,910
TnskiI snapped the acls in my right knee but the doc said better to not have surgery if possible and the the muscles would compensate eventually. For the next 3-4 years my knee would kinda want to slip out of joint randomly but wore a brace when I skied .I ditched the brace in 04ish and have had not one problem since.
If it was me I'd probably lay low for the rest of the season so not to completely mess it up further and be in a bigger mess .


For people who want to continue sport, and one as aggressive as skiing, your story is a low percentage for success for fully torn ACLs. I’m curious did you seek aggressive rehab?
5 years ago
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CalumSKI
Posts: 4379 - Karma: 26,123
the other day i did a 360 and got caught up in the snow. It felt like my knee was bent the wrong way and i though i had fucked my whole season, but its been like 3 days and now its feeling better every day, it only hurts when im getting up from the ground so idk about me either. I wish you luck though dude
5 years ago
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elcheapo
Posts: 3449 - Karma: 13,983
Doc said no jogging but remember going on walks and hiking and I think biking is best. No " physical therapy " with a physical therapist though.
SkierPTFor people who want to continue sport, and one as aggressive as skiing, your story is a low percentage for success for fully torn ACLs. I’m curious did you seek aggressive rehab?
5 years ago
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galardogod
Posts: 1716 - Karma: 5,336
SkierPTFor people who want to continue sport, and one as aggressive as skiing, your story is a low percentage for success for fully torn ACLs. I’m curious did you seek aggressive rehab?

My guess is patient had good quad strength and a intact medial meniscus as well as good hamstring strength. Very prone to meniscal tears though with incompetent ACL.
5 years ago
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ScootSkiLyfe
Posts: 1071 - Karma: 5,761
SkierPTFeel free to DM me. I’m a physical therapist and may be able to help


I appreciate you!
5 years ago
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ScootSkiLyfe
Posts: 1071 - Karma: 5,761
A little update, I went skiing last night. I didn't have a brace but used some ACE wrap around my knee for a little bit of support. Took it pretty easy, there were a few points where I noticed some pain, and overall just didn't feel 100% stable. Felt fine walking around when I got home but this morning it's pretty stiff and sore. I can't quite walk 100% normally, feels like my knee doesn't want my leg to get full extension.

Thanks for everyone's feedback so far. To everyone with injuries/everlasting knee problems I hope all goes okay in the end. Fuck yea, skiing
5 years ago
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