Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum How bad is ACL reconstruction?

I'm a nurse and should probably have a good idea how the recovery should go, but I've not seen many acls. Who's had their ACL reconstructed? How bad was the recovery? Who did your surgery? How long before you went back to work?

I tore mine on July 4th and have been limping along ever since. Finally got the ortho to take a look today and he told me to get it fixed with surgery or limp...my choice.

Let's hear your stories...

Talked with a friend Monday, who has had one done. Per him, he said it was difficult, but partly because when asked how active and fit he was he told them pretty fit. He is pretty active and fit, but not a professional athlete.

Question was asked due to removing part of his hamstring tissue to replace the ACL instead of using a cadaver's.

He reports those older than him who used a cadaver's were well ahead of him in the recovery process, and his recovery was long and difficult.


That's all I have, but understand now why I talked with him and it's been 8 years since we talked. Per his results, use a cadaver's tissue.

God Bless,
David B.

Tore mine four years ago also partially tore my MCL too. I was told the same thing by my ortho. I never had the surgery all though I am considering it just because it is hampering my training, but as far as everyday life it does not really bother me anymore. It took about a year for all the pain and stiffness to go away though. I am interested in the responses to because if it sounds easy I will definitely have it done. I sure miss heavy squats and sprints

I have had several surgeries on my knees including MCL, ACL, Meniscus...

I did the ACL at 42 (3 years ago). It was long rehab and pretty gnarly. Having said that I could not have hunted like do without it.

If your knee is rock bottom you should do it for sure...

Thanks for the replies. Right now, I can't climb stairs without a hand rail or something to lean on. I feel my knee shifting a lot if I take long strides as well. So for me, surgery it is. Will update once it's all said and done.

Yes definitely update us

I've rehabed hundreds of acls. If you have any specific questions pm me I'll give you my num and talk to you about what to expect and what you will go through. Have to have lots of patience.

I blew my knee out in highschool. Acl, Patela, partial mcl, partial meniscus. I've never encountered a pain quite like 4 hours out of surgery and having them bend your knee for you. I passed out cold. Also saw nfl players cry several times in the pt room. I spent 5 months of twice a day pt excercises by myself. Plus 4 days a week with a therapist. After 5 months I spent another 4 doing once a day pt by myself. Played the next season with a brace. 8 years later, I have a rock solid knee, probably stronger than it was before. I also have partial numbness in it, a damn good scar, and it aches when it rains.

The key to recovery from acl surgery is sticking to your pt religiously. If you don't you won't ever regain full motion. I would plan on about two weeks out of work, another 3 to 5 after that on crutches. A while after that in an immobilizer brace.

With just an acl your recovery should be slightly better depending on your level of fitness. Keep In mind, I was in great shape and young during all of this.

Lyle Cain did my surgery. He is the best knee guy in the nation. I would recommend using him, since you are so close. He's also a turkey hunter.

I blew my ACL out in Bosnia back in 97. Our good ole military docs kept saying it was only a sprain and kept sending my to physical therapy. well 6 months later I finally got the ortho doc to look at it and he blew a gasket wanting to know why I hadn't been to see him sooner. long story short He used the center section of my patella tendon to replace my ACL. my recovery went great and the therapy I did before the surgery got my knee strengthened up before hand.i think I was actually down for 4 weeks. It did take a long time though getting used to the gap in the front of my knee where they removed the tendon.

My sister had hers done two years ago by Dr. Andrews' group in Gulf Breeze. She got a donor ACL from a 25 year old guy who was killed in a motorcycle accident. Her rehad was very quick, and she was back to normal in a short order of time.

Choose your surgeon wisely, and you'll have much less problems.

I had mine done back in 93' from a treestand accident 3rd day of bow season Oct 17 1993 and could not have the surgery until Nov 4th..Dr. David Burrant(think thats how you spell the name)he moved to Tn. in the late 90's I believe..I have the surgery on VHS tape but still get a little nausea's if I watch it knowing it's my knee..lol ..seems to me it took 2-3 months to heal up completely..I remember all of the machines etc they used to slowly stretch and bend my knee/leg plus the apparatus I had to wear to dial in how much bend I could put on my knee..I also remember hobbling around on crutches to hunt a time or 2 before the season went out

I've had both knees done, the first in 1989 by Andrews. It doesn't give me any trouble to this day. Do your rehab and follow the therapists orders and you will be fine.

Dr Ray Fambrough in Huntsville did my first ACL reconstruction in 1993 and it eventually failed.
Dr Troy Layton/Huntsville did the second ACL reconstruction in 2000 and did a fantastic job. The knee is strong and I'm able to do a 450lb squat with it.

I won't lie, the pain was pretty bad. I went back to work within 2 weeks both times but it was difficult to work because of the pain. It was like a deep toothache, throbbing incessantly for 6 months.

If you do this DO ALL OF THE PHYSICAL THERAPY AND WHEN THEY ARE DONE WITH YOU KEEP DOING IT ... FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE

These days ACL is no big deal.
Arthroscopic.
Use your patellar tendon.
They put in a pain numbing agent into your femoral nerve
before you wake up connected to a bottle of the stuff taped to your shoulder which keeps it numb for four days and after that it is no big deal.

I've had three knee jobs due to the greatest sport of all - motocross. First two were old fashion cut you wide open all the way to the bone with ten inch long incision. That's bad. And they casted you back then too.

Had one in 2010 the modern way described above on a Thursday and I was back at work the next Monday. Off crutches within two months.

Not too bad overall. I took a month off between the injury and surgery to plwy in a couple of golf events. Your knee is repaired leaving surgery, the rehab is for the hamstring, quad, etc... the sooner you get it done the better because you muscles around the knee are weakening while you wait.

Rehab is difficult because you are limited by insurance to the number of visits. You must workout on your own. I had surgery on a Thursday, rehab on Friday, then monday and back to work on Tuesday. Off crutches on Friday. Running n 90 days back playing basketball in 6 months.

I wouldnt let anyone but someone at St Vincents do my knee. Cain did mine and I would ask for him. If he couldnt do it, then Emblom or Dugas or Andrews.

Emblom is the surgeon I've chosen. I've actually worked with some of Cain's patients through Home Health and was very impressed. He was not available though. I've heard a lot of good things about Emblom. Surgery date is scheduled for August 13th. Thanks for all of the input guys. I have been getting a crash course in rehab from our PTs at work this week. So, hopefully, I'll be able to atleast get in the woods by first day of gun season. Don't see myself climbing any trees that soon though.

Update:

Had surgery today. Pain has been minimal so far. They put me in a knee immobilizer so I don't know about flexibility yet. I have been able to bear some weight on the leg using crutches. According to doc, I should be good to go for opening day of gun season. I start PT in the morning. Will update as PT progresses.

Good luck. Hope recovery goes well for you.

Prayers for you in the morning. When I've done PT I saw a lot of the knee guys almost in tears. No fun, but has to be done.

Thanks guys. I'm sure PT is going to be rough, but it is just temporary. Pain is weakness leaving the body, right?