Knee Surgery Rehab process?

(blitzpb) · (blitzpb) **Join Date: Aug 2004** 06-01-2005, 10:23 AM

I posted a few weeks ago about a crash I had on my first trip out this season. Apparantly, that crash led to a torn ACL and MCL so I have an appt with the surgeon tomorrow to talk about the MRI results and I assume to talk about my surgery options, scedule. Ive done a little research on the tears and they seem pretty bad. A guy at my work even suggests that I might be completely out for a couple of months (practically bed ridden). Before I go into the Dr I would like to know what kinds of questions I should be bringing up to him. Obviously I want to get back on a board and start riding again as soon as possible but what other things should I bring to his attention. What points do I want to get across to this guy so he fixes me up right. What will rehab really look like for me and my injuries. I dont believe I have torn the ligaments totally in two but again I m not sure yet. Ill know tomorrow. I can basically do all motions with my knee except for bend it all the way. Thanks for the replys.

(stanfield) · (stanfield) **Join Date: Mar 2004** 06-01-2005, 10:37 AM

All I can say is that it sucks and you need to focus on making a full recovery and not getting back on a board asap. I tore ACL and a partial MCL on 6/12/04 and had surgery on 6/25/04. About 7-8 months before I got back on a board and about 9-10 months before I attempted to go w2w again.

He'll go over all of your options with you and answer all of the questions that you don't know how to ask.

(mcfly) · (mcfly) **Join Date: Jan 2002** 06-01-2005, 11:11 AM

http://www.wakeworld.com/articles/2002/acl1.asp

Hope this helps. I have recently retorn my ACL again (the same one I had repaired in this article), but life goes on!

McFly

(ivyrider) · (ivyrider) **Join Date: Jan 2004** 06-01-2005, 12:24 PM

focus on getting an Ortho and PT that specialized in sports recovery. They understand more of what is demanded from an athlete.

Take your time, listen to your body. No, you wont be bed ridden... After surgery, I was working from home the afternoon after my surgery, I was out and about the next day, although it got tiring really quick. I had my surgery on a Thurs, and was back to work on Monday. Crutches for 8 days, brace for about 2 weeks. Push yourself, dont baby it, but listen to your body to not over do it.

I got my Dr release to board 5 months post op. Push to the limits in PT. Commit, commit, commit!!

(blitzpb) · (blitzpb) **Join Date: Aug 2004** 06-01-2005, 4:15 PM

Marty! Thanks for that awesome article that you wrote. It gives me great hope going into my consultation tomorrow that I will pull through this with some hard work and patience. Thanks again, a superb article!

wakeboardn4life 06-01-2005, 4:38 PM

i just tore my acl and partial mcl not to long ago im a month and a week out of surgery and doing rehab you will be able to walk like 2 weeks after surgery but like misty said don't baby it you'll never get back my whole summer is gone but like marty said life gones on

(chrzanowski5) · (chrzanowski5) **Join Date: Aug 2002** 06-01-2005, 6:53 PM

I tore by ACL and partial MCL 6/?/04. Had the surgery (petellar) on 6/24/04. Was walking on it 6/26/04 (Dr.'s orders) and was in rehab the following Monday. Jogging 2 weeks out.

I agree with Misty, make sure you go to a knee specialist that deals with sports recovery. I was able to get on the board 10 weeks out (September) and was snowboarding 100% in December.

The rehab is real important. Stay focused and you'll be on the water in no time! Good luck. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Joe

cool_arrow 06-03-2005, 10:56 AM

nick, i'm right with you. just had my sergeons consult last week, torn acl w/ meniscus somithing or other and bruising, wating on approval from work comp for the surgery. all of my research has been right on w/ these posts with the exception of a one guy i know who has a prob w/ scar tissue. make sure you are comfy w/ ur doc. my first dr. didnt seem right, just not happy w/ him and he didn't seem too knowledgeable, my new dr is the bomb tho, team surgeon for the chargers. way more comfy w/ him. he told me 4-6 months off but will not feel 100% til 18 mos. good luck.

(blitzpb) · (blitzpb) **Join Date: Aug 2004** 06-03-2005, 11:14 AM

I just had my first meeting with the surgeon. I go back in next week one more time to get a pre-op PT regimen to strengthen up the leg and knee. Apparantly I completely tore the ACL but I have little damage to the MCL. He showed me the MRI and the MCL looked like a tight band of white threads. As he moved to the other side of the knee he showed me a black area of my knee and said "here is where your ACL should be." It was basically not there anymore. One upside is that his assitant looks a little like Julie Stiles, reowr!