Torn ACL….recovery and rehab time?

[1st amg]

Well it finally happened to me…at 53 years old, downhill skiing with my family. I have been skiing my whole life, even an instructor at one point. I managed to do a severe tear (90%) to my ACL and small partial tears to my MCL and LCL. Get this…..I was not moving at the time. I was waiting for my daughter at the very top of the mountain with my tips pointed as in not to move forward. Only issue is I was on a slight decline and my skis started to separate to such a maximum distance that my right knee finally popped. It was all in slow motion. So I got up and refused to believe what just happened and I skied all the way down which was about 8km. All the while grimacing in pain with every turn. Both my kids were pleading to get help with a ski patrol, but I refused. Anyway, that’s the damage.
I have to get surgery and because I am quite active with sports and gym workouts, I am freaking out as to the rehab process.
Any of you have any recommendations and real life experiences with this injury. Would love to hear your experiences and any insight would be wonderful.


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[brandrea]

I’m truly sorry to hear this Nicholas. I have know personal experience but this injury sounds brutal …

I hope your surgery is a success and you make a full and complete recovery.

Please keep us updated.

[Tricolore66]

I did almost the exact same thing at around 49, 7 years ago playing competitive soccer. I had one of the two bundles completely ruptured and the other more than half, what they called an 80% tear. My stability wasn’t terrible and though it was painful, it wasn’t that bad and my swelling wasn’t extreme. I decided to give up soccer and try to get by without ACL reconstruction. I was on a lot anti-inflammatory drugs and in a brace for months, and was very careful in getting back to activity. Started with easy cycling and swimming, didn’t try running for almost 2 years. 3 years after started playing tennis and 7 years now I’m playing 3-4 times a week at men’s 4-4.5 level. It could blow out tomorrow, but I’m happy with my decision to go the non-surgical route. I’ve since worked on strengthening my quads, which helps protect the ACL. Treat the symptoms, not the MRI, as my ortho says.

[dk65]

Find a doctor that sees athletes and other competitive people. I have found that the majority of doctors give guidance based on modern "American" diets and activity levels. IE, a sedentary, McDonald's eating lifestyle. Most active people can recover from these incidents much more quickly.

Just my $0.02.

[Bstewart]

Originally Posted by dk65

Find a doctor that sees athletes and other competitive people. I have found that the majority of doctors give guidance based on modern "American" diets and activity levels. IE, a sedentary, McDonald's eating lifestyle. Most active people can recover from these incidents much more quickly.

Just my $0.02.

Fully agreed and very sorry to hear of this injury. I hope you have a very speedy recovery.

[Blansky]

Originally Posted by dk65

Find a doctor that sees athletes and other competitive people. I have found that the majority of doctors give guidance based on modern "American" diets and activity levels. IE, a sedentary, McDonald's eating lifestyle. Most active people can recover from these incidents much more quickly.

Just my $0.02.

Agree. Sports medicine doctors.

Not some guy who's client base is all old or sedentary people.

[1st amg]

Originally Posted by Blansky

Agree. Sports medicine doctors.

Not some guy who's client base is all old or sedentary people.

Blansky, as a hockey guy yourself, the ortho surgeon I managed to connect with is one of the doctors for our Ottawa Senators hockey team! Unfortunately, I am much to active and non sedentary in my business, family life and healthy life to not have this surgery. A 90% tear is never going to repair itself and I do not want to live in fear with any awkward movement that knee could blow. I guess the saving grace out of all of this so far is I never had bad swelling and I can walk almost with no limp, I can do stars no problem etc. I have almost no pain at all times, only when I move it a certain angle will I feel it. Nevertheless, surgery for me.

[JParm]

Sorry to hear, this Nicholas. I come from an active family as well and would opt for surgery too.

My brother tore his ACL and decided not to get surgery. Needless to say, he isn't playing basketball anymore or doing anything that involves sharp cuts. That's something that I couldn't give up, as I still play basketball, pickleball, etc.

Hoping for the best for you and that you make a quick recovery.

[albertf]

Stay on top of your rehab exercises. Extremely big difference when comparing before/after athletic performance in my friends based on how diligent they were in rehab.

It will likely take a while to trust the knee as you get back into more dynamic movements too.

My friends were able to get back to playing sports around 9-12 months but they were 30s to early 40s when they got their surgery.

[Blansky]

That really sucks. I've had 4 knee surgeries but were MCL and meniscus tears and cleanouts. Not ACLs.

These sports links have some info in them...

It seems now the most successful way is grafting in a tendon instead of repairing the tear.

https://www.nhl.com/blues/news/the-l...ck/c-290535146

https://www.silverskatefestival.org/...an-acl-injury/

https://uscenterforsportsmedicine.co...out-acl-tears/

[Krash]

So sorry to hear about this. I agree with others about seeing someone that works with athletes. I used to live in the Philly area and friends and family would see the same guys that worked on players from the 76ers, Flyers, Phillies, Eagles, etc.

I’m just not sure how practical that is for everyone though. Not everyone has easy access to specialists like that.


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[THC]

Get well, sir

[JasoninDenver]

Like the previous posters said….

Find the best sports medicine doctor in your area, preferably one that works with the local pro and collegiate sports teams.

Explain to them very clearly that you are not the average 53 year old and you fully expect to be 90+% after any surgery.

Never done a knee but I am veteran of three major shoulder surgeries. You can expect to be walking and biking in three months and, hopefully, skiing again next season.

[Sebenza]

If you're able to get surgery in the US, consider Dr. Mark Sanders in Houston, TX. He specializes in shoulders and knees and has a great reputation for fixing motocrossers. He plated my collarbone several years ago and I had zero issues. His bedside manner isn't great, but surgical skills are incredible. From what I've seen over the years, my best guess is about a 9 month recovery period.

[SWS65SM]

Never experienced but from what I've heard it's very painful to tear ACL, and just hard to believe to read you skied 8 miles on it going downhill.... hope you are managing the pain much better now. Nothing to contribute here but just wish you the best/speedy recovery

[Chewbacca]

Ooof. Sorry to hear Nico! So at least we can expect more posts from you now.

[HHIslander]

Definitely agree with seeking the services of someone with an athletic background. Last doc you want is the assembly line guy who does it mostly on Medicare patients. Rehab is just as important as the surgery, make sure your doc hooks you up with a well respected PT provider.

I was swimming with my arms at 3 months to stay in shape, I highly recommend that. It took me 9 months before I was mtn bike riding again. Hardest part for me was the mental challenge of fully trusting the knee again. Took about 18 mos until I would say I was mentally back to where I was pre-injury.

It sucks and there is no shortcut unless you’re a pro athlete willing to shelve out some big bucks and time to shave 2-3 months off recovery. Hope it goes well.

[superdog]

My man. I’m sorry to hear. Just in time for summer. Fack.

Your recovery will depend on your surgeon and your current health. Which is good.

I know quite a few people going through similar injuries. All from skiing. And all are recovering well. The process will suck. But you are a beast. You will come out of this wiser and stronger.

Sorry again my man. Text me if you are bored and want to kill time.

[Cloudchaser]

The silver lining here is that you are young and having a surgery that rehabs very well! You're having a surgery that returns almost everyone that has it back to 100%. Prognosis--wise, this is probably the "best" serious injury an active person can have. You (and your doc) got this!!

As others have noted, find a sports specialist. The docs that put the world class skiers back to competing on the slopes are the most in-demand in my area.

Lastly, I can't emphasize enough how a positive, can-do, no self-pity attitude will help the actual physical aspects of the recovery.

It's a fine line between that and overdoing it, but take a great attitude, and all the optimism you have, to your PT and then trust that process and don't set yourself back trying to exceed it too soon.

[TNT009]

Tore mine on a SWAT obstacle course and did the reconstructive surgery.. Honestly, get ready for pain.. Surgery and Rehab, but stick to it and dont try to run too early (me). Speed walking to LIGHT jog on treadmill 5 months post surgery. Good luck!

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by 1st amg

Well it finally happened to me…at 53 years old, downhill skiing with my family. I have been skiing my whole life, even an instructor at one point. I managed to do a severe tear (90%) to my ACL and small partial tears to my MCL and LCL. Get this…..I was not moving at the time. I was waiting for my daughter at the very top of the mountain with my tips pointed as in not to move forward. Only issue is I was on a slight decline and my skis started to separate to such a maximum distance that my right knee finally popped. It was all in slow motion. So I got up and refused to believe what just happened and I skied all the way down which was about 8km. All the while grimacing in pain with every turn. Both my kids were pleading to get help with a ski patrol, but I refused. Anyway, that’s the damage.
I have to get surgery and because I am quite active with sports and gym workouts, I am freaking out as to the rehab process.
Any of you have any recommendations and real life experiences with this injury. Would love to hear your experiences and any insight would be wonderful.


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Sorry to hear Nicholas, hope you go through surgery and rehab and get to enjoy your sport hobbies again!


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[dba]

Have the Senators doc do the cutting if you can. You need a sports doctor. I'm lucky to live near Lake Tahoe, so there's plenty of them here for my mishaps. Best of luck to you.

[1st amg]

Thanks everyone for the well wishes. It’s comforting to know some of your experiences or you know of someone who has gone through it. I know I have the right attitude, I am eager, and ready to battle. In the world of “flight or fight” I have always fought. So thankfully, I save no pity whatsoever for my self, it’s useless and my attitude is simply that it’s my turn to deal with some ailment. Could be so much worse, as in other health maladies. I can think of a couple of TRF members here who are dealing with life altering sickness, and they truly are the warriors as in Dave, or our moderator Peter.
Anyway, was just seeking for some real timelines and not some that are sugar coated.


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[1st amg]

Originally Posted by superdog

My man. I’m sorry to hear. Just in time for summer. Fack.

Your recovery will depend on your surgeon and your current health. Which is good.

I know quite a few people going through similar injuries. All from skiing. And all are recovering well. The process will suck. But you are a beast. You will come out of this wiser and stronger.

Sorry again my man. Text me if you are bored and want to kill time.

Thanks brother.


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[1st amg]

Originally Posted by TNT009

Tore mine on a SWAT obstacle course and did the reconstructive surgery.. Honestly, get ready for pain.. Surgery and Rehab, but stick to it and dont try to run too early (me). Speed walking to LIGHT jog on treadmill 5 months post surgery. Good luck!

Thanks man, love the advice as it’s real!


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[1st amg]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I’m truly sorry to hear this Nicholas. I have know personal experience but this injury sounds brutal …

I hope your surgery is a success and you make a full and complete recovery.

Please keep us updated.

Thanks Brian


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[1st amg]

Originally Posted by Tricolore66

I did almost the exact same thing at around 49, 7 years ago playing competitive soccer. I had one of the two bundles completely ruptured and the other more than half, what they called an 80% tear. My stability wasn’t terrible and though it was painful, it wasn’t that bad and my swelling wasn’t extreme. I decided to give up soccer and try to get by without ACL reconstruction. I was on a lot anti-inflammatory drugs and in a brace for months, and was very careful in getting back to activity. Started with easy cycling and swimming, didn’t try running for almost 2 years. 3 years after started playing tennis and 7 years now I’m playing 3-4 times a week at men’s 4-4.5 level. It could blow out tomorrow, but I’m happy with my decision to go the non-surgical route. I’ve since worked on strengthening my quads, which helps protect the ACL. Treat the symptoms, not the MRI, as my ortho says.

Thanks for the advice, definitely going to surgery as the rehab won’t be enough for my lifestyle


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[1st amg]

Originally Posted by dk65

Find a doctor that sees athletes and other competitive people. I have found that the majority of doctors give guidance based on modern "American" diets and activity levels. IE, a sedentary, McDonald's eating lifestyle. Most active people can recover from these incidents much more quickly.

Just my $0.02.

100% this


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[1st amg]

Originally Posted by JParm

Sorry to hear, this Nicholas. I come from an active family as well and would opt for surgery too.

My brother tore his ACL and decided not to get surgery. Needless to say, he isn't playing basketball anymore or doing anything that involves sharp cuts. That's something that I couldn't give up, as I still play basketball, pickleball, etc.

Hoping for the best for you and that you make a quick recovery.

Thanks Jesse, this is why I just want to get it done, I heard that over time if it’s not repaired, you can suffer other problems like meniscus deterioration and cartridge as well.


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[1st amg]

Originally Posted by albertf

Stay on top of your rehab exercises. Extremely big difference when comparing before/after athletic performance in my friends based on how diligent they were in rehab.

It will likely take a while to trust the knee as you get back into more dynamic movements too.

My friends were able to get back to playing sports around 9-12 months but they were 30s to early 40s when they got their surgery.

Thanks for sharing this information!


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