Quick story about my experience. I tore my ACL 11/8 hiking. Surgery was 12/8 with prehab during the middle. With prehab I was feeling stronger and getting more myself and pushing it. The night before surgery I was doing some prep for the next day by helping my oldest son to move stuff around a bit while my wife was gone. I stepped on something that caused my knee to buckle and twist a bit. My pain level shot through the roof, my ears started ringing, and I was stumbling to sit down before I passed out screaming in agony. The fears/concerns I had about surgery (which there were plenty) kind of melted away because I realized I couldn’t have that happen again. I scared my kids to death when I tweaked whatever that was. Ultimately as my doctor told me you can get stronger around the area, but it won’t grow back or fix itself naturally. If you decide to wait you can always change your mind and see how it goes. Not sure if that helps any or not. Post surgery has been rough, but it is getting better everyday. I’m optimistic I’ll get back to myself once this all said and done. I don’t know that would have been the case without the surgery. Good luck in everything. This group is awesome, so feel free to throw any questions you may have out there., I tore my ACL (Stage 3) and have bilateral damage to my miniscus plus other issues. I saw the specialist yesterday who has advised I do Physio for 6 weeks, wait for all swelling to settle, assess how I am walking ie is it shifting whilst I walk on it. Then after 6 weeks, return and make a decision about surgery. I’m 43 and am thinking about the future. I’m happy to go to the gym to strengthen, but I’m concerned about what will happen when I’m 70 plus and can’t go to the gym. Will I be able to walk without an ACL without any issues.
What was your experience during the first few months of injury? Was this advice recommended, how did you feel at the time?
I’m mid 60s and decided to have mine repaired. I couldn’t accept that I wouldn’t be able to ski aggressively anymore or do dog agility (which requires pivot turns). I rehabbed my knee over summer (tore skiing in January) mainly by doing home exercises and hiking. You can hike/walk without an ACL, but it can go out (mine did and I fell badly twice). I had surgery 7 weeks ago. Not regretting it at all.
Hi
Marija Marija
, your specialist is spot on as there is not any high quality evidence showing surgery leads to better outcomes than a non surgical recovery based on strength and stability. Even some surgeons are now posting papers with this information being valid. Have you joined the Facebook group, ACL tear recovery without surgery. Plenty there back to activities like skiing and soccer without any surgery at all, just exercise.
Quick story about my experience. I tore my ACL 11/8 hiking. Surgery was 12/8 with prehab during the middle. With prehab I was feeling stronger and getting more myself and pushing it. The night before surgery I was doing some prep for the next day by helping my oldest son to move stuff around a bit while my wife was gone. I stepped on something that caused my knee to buckle and twist a bit. My pain level shot through the roof, my ears started ringing, and I was stumbling to sit down before I passed out screaming in agony. The fears/concerns I had about surgery (which there were plenty) kind of melted away because I realized I couldn’t have that happen again. I scared my kids to death when I tweaked whatever that was. Ultimately as my doctor told me you can get stronger around the area, but it won’t grow back or fix itself naturally. If you decide to wait you can always change your mind and see how it goes. Not sure if that helps any or not. Post surgery has been rough, but it is getting better everyday. I’m optimistic I’ll get back to myself once this all said and done. I don’t know that would have been the case without the surgery. Good luck in everything. This group is awesome, so feel free to throw any questions you may have out there.