Sean Jackson, "you've torn everything!"

Those 3 words (you've torn everything) put a knot in my throat.

Yes So. Cal. brethren, I got my MRI results today and they ain't pretty.

Technically I didn't tear everything, I still have my PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) and LCL (lateral collateral ligament) to stand on.

I did tear my MCL (medial collateral ligament), ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), medial meniscus, and lateral meniscus. If you're gonna do it... Do it right! Gee, I thought the doctor at the urgent care said; "you didn't tear anything, you just strained it." It was his attitude that really pissed me off.

Anyways, you gotta roll with the punches. I will have surgery in 2-3 weeks and I will be off work for about 6 months. Anyone need a driver?

Hey Sean, were you ever able to walk on your leg after you hurt it? Or did it hurt like heck?

Sean, wow; I was hoping it wasn't so significant. You've got, what, tears in four of six major knee components; it is all repairable, that we know for a fact. The down time will be the tough part. Hang in there.

Sean, I feel for you bro. One year ago I was wakeskating with some buddies and tried that one foot indy that grubb does. I landed with only my front foor on the board, kinda stepped off the back. My knee popped, and a few MRI's later I was in you situation. MCL, ACL, medial meniscus, and Lateral meniscus, all exploded. Here is what I can tell you.....

1) Ask the doctor for a workout regimen for the knee BEFORE SURGERY. The stronger the knee is going in, the quicker you will recover!

2) Listen to the doctors, but not too much!--Follow the instructions, don't do anything stupid, etc. BUT don't take everything to heart. My doctor wanted me on crutches for 6-8 weeks, I was off them in 2. He wanted me to wait 8-12 weeks to start rehab, I started in 3. He wanted me out from riding for a year, I was back in ONLY 4 MONTHS, and was riding at 100% within 7 months. Don't be afraid to push your knee, within reason. Work thru the pain and swelling and you will be back. Word of caution, though. Sharp pain means stop!!

3) Contact inovation sports for a Cti2 Knee Brace. Mine has saved my ass multiple times. The company is great and so is the customer service. Plus, my insurance company covered all $1400. Yours might too, so check. Doctors usually won't reccommend one unless you ask for it. Bring in some mags and explain the demands on the knees of wakeboarding, and the Doc will write a perscription so the ins comp picks up the tab.

4) Stay involved in wakeboarding. Half the stoke is being in the boat and chillin with everyone else. It makes the long rehab easier!!

Good luck, and pm me if you need anything!! I feel for you, bro.

I had roater cuff surgery about 4 weeks ago. Doctor told me no wakeboarding till mid aug. That sucks my PT told me if I work hard he will have me back on the water by mid july. Guess Im working my ass off I want to board at least a couple of times before I get married

Sean sorry to hear about your results, and just the thought of both stories here have put a lump in my throat

Wow Sean I'm sorry to hear that! Thanks again for coming out yesterday and driving for us. I will definitely keep you on the list for 3rds, 4ths, or just additional weight in the boat - anything to get you out of the house and on the lake once in a while.

Good luck with the surgery and rehab. Sounds like you're gonna need to pick up some new videos to pass the time. I have several that you can borrow.

Sean that's unlucky, I agree with what sbvfive said to a certain extent as I am still recovering from an ACL reconstruction July last year. Definately get off the crutches and into the physio as soon as you can after surgery (that is what my surgeon told me). Make sure with the movement, let your physio tell you how fast to go and whatever he tells you to do regarding strength, do another 50%. But don't try anything without consulting with your physio first, especially if you are thinking of doing something higher impact (want to start jogging, running, playing basketball or boarding etc).

Doctors will tell you to wait 6-12 months after surgery until you start boarding again, depending on the injury. This timeframe that they are recommending isn't because that is how long they think it will take to get the muscle or the movement back, it is given as this is the amount of time that the graft will take to properly scar around the bone and become well bonded.

Think of it like a super glue. You can wait 15 minutes for it to set and work, or you can wait overnight to make sure that it is really strong.

A good exmaple is a guy that I work with. He used to be a professional rugby league player in the NRL (an equivalent would be a football player in the NFL), he is also university qualified as a physiotherapist who also tore his ACL playing football and had to have a reconstruction. He pushed his knee (was jogging very short distances 1 week after surgery) to get back on the field. He told me that now, even though he hasn't re-injured his knee, it is lax (ligament is too flexible which reduces the muscle control and gives him a higher chance of hurting it) because he pushed it too early.

I guarantee you that your knee will feel completely better 3 months after the surgery, but in the words of my surgeon at that stage, "I know your knee feels fine, but it is not, you need to give it time. I know you want to go boarding, don't, it is not better yet. Most people who re-injure themselves are within the 3-6month period after the operation, because they think they can do things that their knee can't yet."

I don't want to sound like a wet blanket, but in my case I am happy to wait 12 months to ensure that I have a much lower chance of not having to go through it all again and to make my knee as close to normal as possible.

FYI I have ordered my CTI2 and will not board or ski or play basketball until July (12 months).

Wow! Thanks for all of your support and information.

Sean, I started walking on it (with a brace) after about 4 or 5 days. It still feels too unstable to walk without a brace on, but I have never had that much pain (aside from when I injured it).

Steve, thanks for your continued support. I'll have to have you and your boys out on my boat soon.

sbvfive, the doctor has already given me some workout stuff to do, and he said I can do some spinning on a stationary bike. You are right, he said I need to have some strength and mobility before the surgery. I'm with you on #(2), might have a connection for #(3) if insurance doesn't pick up the tab, and #(4) I wouldn't have it any other way.

Scott, don't believe what they tell you. You can still board after you get married.

Randy, lumps are only good in coffee. No worries bro.

Bill, thanks again for everything! How did the footage from the tube turn out? 230 # for anyone who needs extra ballast.

James, I'm young at heart but much more wise than my activities would indicate. In other words, I would rather wait until my knee properly heals as well.

My girlfreind did the same thing in High School playing volleyball. ACL, MCL, and both miniscuises (sp). She worked really hard and was back into activity within 5 months. She would yell at me if she saw this, but she's somewhat a baby, so if she can do it anyone can. I also agree with staying involved. Make your crew drag a tube around too so you can actually get into the water. Good luck and sorry to hear about you injury.

Sean,peace brother, and good luck with the recovery

sean, come down to san v and drive my '02 for us sometime. best wishes...

Sean,
I had my ACL replaced in 1996 when I was 35. Almost full recovery is still obtainable even at our age. Strong believer in the CTI2 brace, I almost never ride without it. My knee story is long and painfull with multiple opps and countless hours of PT. But after ACL recon I was on the water finless working the wake (no jumping) in less than 5 full months. You WILL ride this Summer!
When I had my surgery, I asked for an epideral, so I was awake the whole time. This might not be for the faint of heart, but for me it was great. I got to watch the entire surgery on the monitor, really wierd to watch the drill go through the femur into the joint while only feeling a little tug here and there.
Good luck with it all!

Sean, sorry to hear of the bad news. Here's to a quick and full recovery. In the meantime...

..can you give me the code?

John R, got room for 2?

Sean,

I'm really sorry to hear about your knee being not so well off. I really hoped that it was minor. Looks like you have a lot of advice coming your way so that is good. You are in the industry so you know what is right and what is not.

If I had a boat, you'd be driving it all of the time with Scout on board. And remember, you may not be able to wakeboard - but the foil does not put any stress on the knees - keep that in mind. Mine is available all of the time (except when I promised the wife I'd pick her up at the airport [I ALMOST called her and asked her if she'd mind taking the shuttle home so I could go boarding haha - that would have been a bad call.])

Good luck and hope you have a speedy recovery.

Mark,
Thanks for the encouragement. I have already taken my boat out and been on others, and I will stay involved in any way I can. I don't know about tubing though; its like kissing your sister, you might try it once but you wouldn't tell anyone about it.

sbvfive,
Thanks again.

John,
I have always wanted to go to San V to ride, but I would be stoked on coming down to hang out, and I would be happy to drive. I'm an excellent driver... Ya, Ya, definitely... definitely... Let me know when.

Troy,
Yeah I'm 36, that's cool to hear! I've already been thinking about a CTI brace, and with everyones feedback I am going to get one. I like watching surgeries, just never thought I could/would have the opportunity to watch my own. I'm going to ask about that.

Joe,
Thanks for your support. The code is 7792. No, No, that's not it. It's 5873. Darn, that's wrong again! I can give you a tow though.

I was hoping you were going to say April Fools. Sean all I can say is I hope you have a speedy recovery, this really does suck, I feel for ya.(I'd be a mess if I heard that)
So you gonna lett yourself out as a boat driver?
Best of luck!!!!!!

Hey Jim,

Thanks! It's not so bad when I put it into perspective. Other people are dealing with much greater losses and I just have to roll with the punches.

In my book you do have a boat, along with all my other friends I've made here on WW. That's no BS buddy. I've thought about the foil, just a little hesitant to try it right now. I'm glad you made the right decision and picked up your wife. It gives me shivers to think what the fallout could have been like if you didn't (at least I know what I would experience ).

I going to try and swing a day this weekend that I can take out my boat. I'll let you know.

Kristian,

Yeah no jokes here, thanks though. Yep I'm whoring out my boat driving skills. I'm cheap just some pb&j, frosty beverages, and good tunes will get me for the day (would hurt to have some eye candy for my either).

Uhhh, that would be wouldn't hurt to have some eye candy for me either. Spell check doesn't catch it if you're a retard.

I weighed the pro's & cons's with that one too. "I really wanted to board, but (as Eddie Murphy said) HALF???" haha

Yea, flowers were not going to make up for that one, I already painted the house, I suck at laundry (that was on purpose though), and a full weekend at some spa for her would be over the top expensive. And thats all before sleeping on the couch. So I pretty much had to pick her up.

I wouldnt recommend you ride the foil for a couple of months at least, but its 90% as fun as wakeboarding once you start to jump it (still learning) and its stress free on the knees. Wickid crashes though.
Let me know what your plans are for the weekend. I promised I'd hang out with her on Sat, I might be going to canyon lake on Sun but that has not been confirmed so please give me a call and let me know.

Sean, just wanted to let you know that the pull that was arranged for Sun was confirmed so I wont be able to see you that day. I'm taking leave from about 7 April to 14 or 15 April so if you have plans to go out then (and maybe foil) let me know.

Thanks.

Hey, Francisca and I can go on Sunday! In fact, we can go both Sat and Sun!

Hey gang,

I'm shooting for saturday. The only thing is my wife's parents are moving into their new house this weekend and it might bum Kathy out if I am not there. I don't know what good I would be because I can not and will not lift anything, but I still have to kind of feel out the situation.

Jim, we will definitely go one or two days during your time off.

Joe, hopefully I can let you know tonight.

Sean, you could allways go and check the cooler is keeping the beer cold?

If you have a good surgeon, take rehab seriously and don't try to get on it too soon, you will be back active soon and COMPLETELY healed in a about a year. I've had my right knee and right shoulder reconstructed and both are stronger than my left side (probably due to focused rehab on that side).

BTW - saying you were off work for 6 months and looking at your user name, I guessed what you did before checking your profile!!

Hey Sean, sorry to hear the prognosis on the knee. I can use a driver/wakecoach, or if you ever wanna take your boat out I’d be more than happy to pay for gas, hook-up your trailer, n’ stuff. Dedication on the PT should at least have you wakeskating / wakesurfing before summer is over, and maybe even strapping up those Parks.

Chris

Sean just think if you could get some sap...err wakewhore to take your boat out and if you are strapped for a third i could join you...2 gimps...one boat....one very happy wakewhore with plenty of riding

my fiance just should be released next month, a full 10 months after the ACL recon. The thing that has kept her down was the strength in the reconstucted knee was not = to the strong leg. Best of luck. I go to the shoulder doc tomorrow to get full release on a repaired torn Bicep tendon.

wow sean - great to see the outpouring of support for you! guess all those stories i heard about you weren't true.

Joe, it's on for saturday give me a call (909)234-9957.

C Stack, don't worry I didn't forget you. Do you want to go to Elsi. on saturday? The support is awesome, I must have fooled them all.

Glen, I guess "priapism" was a dead giveaway, unless you initially thought I was a porn star.

Chris (tahoe), thanks. My boat, your boat, whatever works. I'm just stoked by every opportunity to get on the water. What ya' doing saturday?

Randy, sounds like a sweet deal for the local whores, doesn't it? We're ballast with driving skills.

sure sean, im up for saturday. same gig tho - i gots ta leave early-ish (now i know that's not a word...). like around 9:30a. moving into my new apartment.

7am bro. I'll try to get there a little earlier so we can actually start before the masses.

great! muchias gracias!

Yes there is much grass in Elsinore, hence the green color.

Francisca and I are in! I'll call you, Sean! Thanks!

Sean, sounds eerily familiar. I did ACL/MCL/meniscus July 2003 up on the Delta. Surgery with the master, Dr. Chao, Sept 8 2003. Started PT a week post-op. Snowboarded Feb 20 2004 (just a couple weeks shy of 6 months post op) and will be wakeboarding as soon as I find a pull. I still have some achiness after working out, but otherwise it feels great. Got the Donjoy Custom brace and I love it.

I highly recommend Dr. Chao. He's down here in San Diego, but may be worth the trip for you (www.oasis-medical.com). And the guy knows his "extreme" sports...as I was walking in for my 4 month appointment, imagine my surprise to see Tony Hawk walking out.

Lindsay,
Thank you so much for the 411. I worked ski patrol at Bear Mountain for 12 years so I called the risk manager the day after the injury, and they referred me to the ortho doctor/group I am being treated by now.

For everyones information: I am scheduled for surgery on April 13th (just found that out today).

I appreciate the info though Lidsay, I go in next week to get my MRI and consultation and i've been hearing some stories of what Dr. to stay away from as they have butchered up some knees down here.

the best advice is to go to a sports med, forget the run of the mill ortho. My fiances doc only does knees, his partner my doc only does shoulder. Practice makes perfect.

Sean, glad you found someone you like & trust. Best wishes for your surgery. One other recommendation: definitely get the polar care & continuous passive motion. So much easier to get the swelling down, & the first couple of nights I actually slept with the CPM on because if my knee stayed in one position too long it got really stiff and that's when it hurt the most post-op.

Randy, you too? Good luck with the MRI!

just talked to sean. he had his surgery yesterday and is now living on the family room floor with a machine attached to his leg flexing his knee 8hrs a day!

he can't get to his comp right now so he's conspicuously absent from wakeworld, but he wanted me to let everyone know he'll hopefully be boat-ready in a couple of weeks and able to get back out on the water to be the best driver any mooch could want.

meanwhile he's making great strides in his quest to find every secret level in every action xbox game known to man. wish him luck.

Hey Sean, Give us a run down on how things are going when you get back to the computer. Go The XBOX!!

Best of recoveries, Sean! Hope to see you out there soon.

I know it's a little late for recommending an orthopedic surgeon, but I've been going to Dr. Baum (no relation to Brent) @ Corona Orthopedics. His other patients include some of the FMX boys, last time I was in there, Seth Enslo was in the waiting room (broken femur). I figure that if he can keep these guys in one piece, I should be no problem.

"It's alive!"

I've heard a lot of people say, "I was up and walking the same day (or the next day)." Well I'm here to say that if these people had the same surgery as me... "HORSE ••••••••• has been a week and I am just now coming back to life.

I had the Patellar Tendon type ACL repair with repairs to both of my Meniscus (lucky me, the MCL wasn't torn that bad after all so it will heal on its' own).

The machine Chris referred to is a CPM. I believe that stands for Continuous Passive Movement. Just strap her in (your leg that is ) and watch her flex and extend beyond what you thought was possible. Oh, don't worry about the pain, as long as it is not a "tearing" pain you will have to work through it. Ancient Chinese torture...

Then there are the exorcises; leg lifts, muscle tightening/isometric stuff. "My God!" It feels like I'm trying to lift my leg with a 100 pound weight strapped to my foot. The exorcises would be a piece of cake when your quad hasn't withered away to half its' former size (don't think I'm lying just to make it sound good). I never knew how quickly one loses muscle mass in their leg without normal use.

Follow these with ice for an hour, a trip to the bathroom, and repeat. Hey, did I mention the drugs? I've been so stinking high I can't see straight.

OK, now some good news. I had my first PT visit yesterday which was encouraging, I got a full night sleep last night for the first time since the surgery, and I have not taken a pain pill since 10 last night. I hate those things but it was unbearable without them. I would rate my pain a constant "2" on a 1-10 scale right now. I can deal with that.

Anyways, time to get back to work. I'll be available, "driver for hire," soon.

Hang in there Sean

All WILL be well before you know it.

Sean, I'm glad to hear that you're making progress. I've had friends that had totally opposite experiences with ACL surgery - one was walking the next day and another was on crutches for 6 weeks. Just remember that rehab is crucial and you have to work thru the pain.

Hopefully we'll see you out on the lake here in a couple of weeks.

Sean, glad to hear the surgery went well. So funny that you refer to CPM as a torture device...that's definitely what it looks like, although I found the pain (if any) that it caused was much more tolerable than the pain associated with trying to limber up a stiff knee. That CPM torture device was a godsend the first couple of days. Also glad to hear you're off the drugs!

And folks, he's not kidding about quad atrophy, your muscle literally disappears in no time.

Range of motion is key. If that's slow to come back, PT will be slow. CPM baby!

I did not know the CPM was still in use, quite a few of the docs around here do not utilize the machine at all, but you rehab 2-3 days after surgery.

Sean, glad to hear everything went well in your surgery. Keep working hard at the PT. If your feeling up to it, we will be out at Elsinore on 5-2, your more than welcome to come and hang out, drive or whatever. Chris

Sean,

I had ACL surgery 2 months ago and the first 3 weeks were the hardest for me. I still have pain in my knee and I am still not able to walk with out a limp (most people do by now.) but I guess it depends on what type of surgery they have. They took a tendon from my knee and used it as my new ACL. My body (who seems to be recovering faster) had his taken from a cadaver. Anyway I heard the most important thing is to make sure you stretch the knee and the strength will come.

Good luck and keep working hard!

I managed to get upstairs to the computer again.

As always, thanks for all the support.

Chris, I might take you up on the 5/02 offer. Keep me posted on that one.