Surgery or no? Complete ACL tear

Linzjohnston
Linzjohnston Posts: 16 Member
in Motivation and Support
Looking for people who have had to make the choice, not stories about "someone I heard of once". I tore my ACL in January, extensive rehab and exercise and I'm back to almost full activity. MRI shows complete ACL tear, sprained MCL/LCL and fully in-tact meniscus.

I am getting a lot of opinions about my choice to have surgery. Many people including family members, people I know who are nurses, etc., voicing that they think I am silly to have surgery. I did considerable research into my surgeon and clinic and am happy with my choice. Even my surgeon said "you don't really need surgery, you could live just fine with this".

At the end of the day I don't trust my knee, I stop before pushing it too far because of fear of injury. But as I mentioned I am almost all the way back to normal, with some issues: jumping is still a challenge, whip kick in the pool is uncomfortable, etc. But 9 months recovery is a lot, its already been 6 months to get me here so I am second guessing because it will be hard to go back there even though I know I will be extra diligent about my therapy.

Really looking for feedback from other ACL deficient individuals out there.

Thx

Replies

  • suzyjane1972
    suzyjane1972 Posts: 612 Member
    You've said you don't trust your knee. ....then decision made...fix it. But honestly it's now or later it has to be fixed so do it now before the damage is made worse.
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
    I have no experience with the ACL injury either. It's your call. If you think you'd be better, the risk is acceptable, then go for it.

    I just had surgery for an issue that's been plaguing me for 4 years. I'm glad to be moving forward.

    The doc that mentioned you'd be fine without it. Have you had a second or third opinion? Weighed the consequences of having or not having it? Where will you be in 5 years with and without it?

    Personally, if I didn't have to have knee surgery, I wouldn't. Seems dicey.

    Good luck. I know that's a tough place to be.
  • krazgrl
    krazgrl Posts: 86 Member
    edited June 2016
    I completely tore my left knee's ACL in 2000 while playing soccer. I dislocated my knee when I pivoted (snap!) and then tried to walk it off so I keep playing. Well, needless to say, that was my last game. Back in 2000, ACL repairs meant a major incision down the front of the knee - similar to knee replacement surgeries. I didn't want such a huge scar, so I opted to not have it fixed at that time. My bone bruises healed and after some rehab, got back to pretty much normal.

    Fast forward 16 years, it's still torn. Surgeries have improved to be arthroscopic with minimal scarring, but I'm not sure if I ever will fix it. The down time and the rehab are something I'm not sure I'm prepared mentally for. I'm running on a regular basis now and even participate in 5Ks. The only time it bothers me is when it's slippery and I catch myself (best way I can describe it), and my knee hyperextends a bit. Sometimes stairs can make it sore, but all in all, I rarely think about it. (Funny enough, my right knee bothers me more often! lol)

    I would recommend getting a second and maybe a third opinion from other surgeons. See what the long term side effects would be. Best of luck to you!!!
  • carefreekitties
    carefreekitties Posts: 7 Member
    I tore my left ACL completely in half three years ago. Extreme gardening, believe it or not, lol. I was stepping over a rabbit fence, maybe two feet high, then POP and I was down. Tried walking it off and about a week later finally decided it was something that should be seen by a doctor. I opted not to do surgery mostly due to cost (and partially crazy anxiety about surgery, lol). I didn't do any physical therapy with the clinics. I did it all on my own. My basic stats are that I am a bit overweight (5'7" and 185), I work in a warehouse environment with tons of bending, moving, shifting, lifting. I do about 15k steps per day. Mildly active outside of work. I have had minimal issues with my knee. Maybe twice per year I will twist it just enough to cause an issue where I need to sit for a bit but, then it's all good a few minutes later and I'm back at it. All were avoidable, such as mowing the lawn awkwardly on a hill, lol. The only things I avoid now, that I did before I tore it, are roller blading, downhill skiing, and running super fast down the basement stairs. The motion required for roller blading and skiing just makes me uncomfortable but the few times I've tried to put the fear aside and just do it, nothing has gone wrong. I hope this helps in some way or another :)
  • Linzjohnston
    Linzjohnston Posts: 16 Member
    Thank you for all your replies.
    carefreekitties wrote: »
    The only things I avoid now, that I did before I tore it, are roller blading, downhill skiing, and running super fast down the basement stairs. The motion required for roller blading and skiing just makes me uncomfortable but the few times I've tried to put the fear aside and just do it, nothing has gone wrong. I hope this helps in some way or another :)

    This is one of the biggest pushes for me to have surgery. I don't want to stop anything. I am only 33 with young kids at home. I also have a higher BMI of 28 and I with my kids getting older I want to move more not less. Skiing and rollerblading are two things I cant do now that I cant stand not being able to do.

  • Linzjohnston
    Linzjohnston Posts: 16 Member
    krazgrl wrote: »

    I would recommend getting a second and maybe a third opinion from other surgeons. See what the long term side effects would be. Best of luck to you!!!


    Elise4270 wrote: »

    The doc that mentioned you'd be fine without it. Have you had a second or third opinion? Weighed the consequences of having or not having it? Where will you be in 5 years with and without it?
    .

    I have spoken with three surgeons, 4 sports medicine physicians and 2 general practitioners. In the end they have a 95% success rate, and if the surgery fails I end up exactly where I am now. So no real loss except for the 9 months expected downtime to heal. In 5 years, I am told I can easily be back to where I was before injury which was training for my first half-marathon with plans for a skiing weekend with my family.

    Surgery is a big step, I get that, with risks, I just wish I knew someone who had it done.
  • shijay
    shijay Posts: 23 Member
    if u feel limited, then u should think about it. most patients have great results with good surgeon and if they follow physicians instructions completely. A lot of people do not follow the therapy protocol and limits required after surgery to help knee heal. Good Luck!
  • Elise4270
    Elise4270 Posts: 8,375 Member
    Linzjohnston wrote: »
    krazgrl wrote: »

    I would recommend getting a second and maybe a third opinion from other surgeons. See what the long term side effects would be. Best of luck to you!!!


    Elise4270 wrote: »

    The doc that mentioned you'd be fine without it. Have you had a second or third opinion? Weighed the consequences of having or not having it? Where will you be in 5 years with and without it?
    .

    I have spoken with three surgeons, 4 sports medicine physicians and 2 general practitioners. In the end they have a 95% success rate, and if the surgery fails I end up exactly where I am now. So no real loss except for the 9 months expected downtime to heal. In 5 years, I am told I can easily be back to where I was before injury which was training for my first half-marathon with plans for a skiing weekend with my family.

    Surgery is a big step, I get that, with risks, I just wish I knew someone who had it done.

    Sounds promising!

Categories