Torn ACL

vickystrand1

Help! I tore my ACL. Anyone been though this?
Advise?
How do I continue down a path of getting fit?
Help! Please!

flatblade

I tore my ACL several years ago. I had surgery and was walking around in a couple days. However, it wasn't the same and took several months before I could feel comfortable on it when I was doing anything more than walking. I actually still can feel a twinge occasionally when I twist my "bad" knee.

Acg67

Help! I tore my ACL. Anyone been though this?
Advise?
How do I continue down a path of getting fit?
Help! Please!

Yes, I had mine replaced. You can do low impact stuff soon after and having a torn ACL has no bearing on your diet

Cait_Sidhe

I'm pretty sure your doctor can help you with these questions too.

sleepytexan

sorry to hear it. I tore my MCL in February by falling down (instead of skiing down) a mountain. It was very painful but did not require surgery as ACL tears do.

I had to stop all cardio except for spin, and it was during that time that I got into heavy lifting -- and I am so glad I did. Once your knee can support your full weight again you can do many slow movements required for squats, deadlifts, presses, and rows, long before you will be able to do your cardio again.

I am so glad I got into lifting, but sorry I had to tear my MCL to do it.

blessings,
L

floridanative64

I am 3-weeks post-op from ACL allograph surgery. I have not done any type of exercise(outside of my rehab exercises) other than weight lifting for upper body and arms. I have not been cleared to do much more than that. I am being faithful to the rehab exercises and talk with my PT twice a week about what I can/can't do. I have heard too many horror stories of people NOT rehabbing properly and trying to get back to things too quickly and re-injuring themselves. Nope, not me. This was too painful to go through again!

zekni

Make sure you're well hydrated. Tendons and ligaments don't heal as fast as other tissue due to poor blood supply, therefore, the more fluid in your body, the better what little blood that gets there flows through it. The more blood that flows through an area, the faster it heals. Massage helps move fluid through an injured area, but can't be done immeadiately after surgery. Ask your physical therapist about using heat and cold therapy to move blood through there as well.

andrealeighx33

Yes, I had mine replaced. You can do low impact stuff soon after and having a torn ACL has no bearing on your diet

Agreed. I wasn't able to run for about 9 months, however I was cleared to use the stationary bike and could go swimming before then. Just remember, don't push yourself too far too fast; you don't want to re-injure your knee. The most important part is for you to make sure it heals nicely at an appropriate pace.

leesehm

go see a physiotherapist

rachmass1

I did a partial tear. Had zero stability and kept falling on my face. Since my tear left a small attachment we tried PT and letting it grow back. That was 14-years ago. I did six months of intensive PT and it healed. Wore a brace for years when doing aikido (lots of twisting) but gave that brace up a few years ago. Knee is great now but it did help cause an imbalance on other parts of my body from knee to hip to shoulder.

Sarah1023

Help! I tore my ACL. Anyone been though this?
Advise?
How do I continue down a path of getting fit?
Help! Please!

Hi, I'm currently going through PT for an ACL repair done in August. I actually tore the ACL ten years ago and over the years have chronically continued to tear it until it was just a ball of scar tissue and finally I had to get it repaired or I would never be able to do sports or agility exercise again. If you are big into exercise and like to do things other than walk, I would advise getting it repaired. The recovery now a days is not as bad as what ppl think...you start PT within 1-2 weeks and my therapists have been great. When I started, I thought I would never be where I am now at almost 12 weeks post op. Next week, I get to begin straight line running. So basically, if you want to be able to acheive fitness goals, get it repaired, go through PT and within 12-15 weeks you will be able to incorporate some types of activities then advance to agility, sports, more hard stuff...Altogether they told me it was a 6 month rehab process, but that does not mean 6 months without activity. I have been able to do walking, treadmill walking at inclines, elliptical and stairmaster for a few weeks now. Good luck!