14 year old's ACL injury story/ reconstruction recovery

Hi! I am 14 years old. i tore my ACL at the end of my varsity bball season. i was posting a girl up, and they were throwing the ball in and when i jumped to get it i fell on the girl's foot, and felt this terrible pop in my knee. my dad & lots of my friends have had the injury so at first it scared me. I fell to the ground crying in pain. My coach made me stretch it out, and it popped back in place. i knew i had done something bad to it. It was HUGE! that night i went to the hospital, and they assured me that it was just a sprain, so i was relived!! but my dad had the same injury, and made sure i got an MRI.

I got an MRI about a week later, and it showed that i had torn my ACL, and it was completely gone. I was so upset! i cried all day!! I love basketball, and it is my favorite sport!!! I knew this meant no running or training, and when i saw my team for the first time I cried again. Thank goodness, i get to play next year!!

I went to the orthopedic surgeon, and wanted to get the surgery ASAP, but had to wait 2 months to rehab it. So, i went to physical therapy for about a month and a half before my surgery. They had me as normal as i could be without an ACL.

I had my surgery April 13. they found that i also tore my Meniscus, and fixed that as well.

I am doing pretty good. pain hasn't been bad. it will be a week tomorrow, and i have already had 2 therapy sessions. they have me doing the exercise bike, leg lifts, side leg lifts,leg lifts on your stomach, pushing a pillow down, pulling it back as far as i can, pushing a ball down, mini wall sits, lite weights, and the leg press. the only one i have a hard time doing is the stomach leg lifts and they said that was bcuz of my hamstring graft.

The worse part for me was wearing this huge brace locked, thank goodness i am unlocked to 30 degrees now when walking, and 90 degrees when sitting. I do have a lot of swelling though.

They expect me back to playing bball with a functional ACL brace at 6 months & running at 3 months.

I wish all people good luck with their ACL recovery & appreciate any comments or tips!!!

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14 year old's ACL injury story/ reconstruction recovery

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May 15, 2009
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reply to my story
by: Anonymous

Its me again. it will be 5 weeks Monday since my ACL surgery. They have me on the stair stepper, stepping up on a step, Kim Com machine, and treadmill now, plus all the exercises they had me on before. i can do most of my exercises without a problem. i am now without my big brace, and wearing a functional ACL brace. it was my dad's after his surgery. i rarely have pain now, swelling is pretty much down, the only problem is getting my muscle mass back. It is getting a lot better. i was an inch off, and now i am about a half an inch off.i am hoping when i go back to the doctor i will get to be fitted for my own functional ACL brace, and possibly walk without one in the next month or 2. i continue to wish all people facing ACL surgery good luck! You will do great! just do everything your doctor and physical therapist tell you to do!! Also, does anyone have recommendations for what brand of ACL brace is best?

May 24, 2009
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which graft did you use?
by: Anonymous

Did you use the patella or hamstring?

May 26, 2009
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re: what graft did i use
by: Anonymous

i used the hamstring graft

Jun 13, 2009
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its me again
by: Anonymous

on monday it will be 9 weeks since my surgery. My doctor released me to bike ride & swim. i was able to go for a 14 mile bike ride my first time, and my doctor says i am 6 weeks ahead of schedule. i had my new graft tested and it feels great. i have full rnage of motion & extension. i am hoping to run in 3 weeks. they just fitted me for my own brace. i'm hoping to be released from PT soon & walking without my sports brace, which they allow me to do at home. I go back to see my doctor July 6. if anyone has any questions please ask!!!! I wish everyone good luck!!!

Jun 29, 2009
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Injury question
by: Anonymous

Is there any problems with the hamstring graph? Because I dont know if patella graph or hamsting graph is better.
Thanks

Jun 30, 2009
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re:
by: Anonymous

i recommend the hamstring graft. i know of the patella graft but all my friends and people i know use the hamstring. the only problem with the hamstring is you have to make sure you stretch before you go back to physical activities, and strengthen it up but as far as i know i would definitely recommend the hamstring graft over all the others. Good luck with your surgery! :)

Jul 02, 2009
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Months of Rehab
by: Anonymous

I tore my ACL, and sprained my MCL and some other ligaments in my knee 6 months ago. The Doctor said that i needed to wait a month to have surgery so the swelling would go down. After my surgery I had to rahab for 5 months and do somethings on my own for the 6th month. Why was your rehab so short?

Jul 03, 2009
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re: rehab length
by: Anonymous

To be honest i don't know...how old are you? could be one thing....i also tore my ACL & Lateral Meniscus, and didn't have other ligaments involved...and i did 6 weeks of PT before my surgery. So, i had my knee in the best shape it could be before surgery. my doctor said that it normally takes 12-16 weeks....i went for ten weeks because i was away and couldn't go this week, and they are testing me at therapy on monday which is 12 weeks and my dr said as long as i tested out well with my stength i could stop. and PT said everything was good....so i'll be done in the next 1-4 weeks....but i will continue to do stuff to strengthen my knee on my own...lifting weights, running, jumping rope, ACL injury prevention, etc. i wont be playing contact sports till 5-6 months. How are you doing now?

Jul 07, 2009
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new update
by: Anonymous

I am now done PT. My hamstring muscles are still a little weak but they said the stength will come as i exercise. I am now allowed to run with my functional ACL brace, and can start weight training. i ran a mile my first time running. my final doctors appointment is October 12, and i should be able to play sports then....which will be 6 months. Does anyone know what is the usual time frame to start box jumps?? And does anyone know of any good ACL prevention exercises??

Jul 13, 2009
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congratulations!
by: Bart - SII

Congrats on finishing PT! that is a milestone worth celebrating! Now comes the continued strengthening and making sure you stay motivated to keep getting your leg stronger and training to improve your balance and strength. Sounds like you are on the right track for a return to sports in a few more months.

There are a lot of ACL prevention exercises available on the internet - google ACL prevention exercises and you will likely find some programs. You need to make sure that you are doing things that will help to improve your ability to control your body when you land, and that will improve your muscle control - these are the keys.

ACL Injury Solutions is a program I offer on this site that outlines all of the exercises I use with my own patients during the post-PT phase of recovery. It may be of benefit to you. Make sure that no matter what program you use, that you clear the exercises with your doctor before you do them - so make sure you are cleared to start jumping and hopping before you start training with these exercises.

Most doctors will allow jumping somewhere around the 4-5 month mark, and then gradually transitioning to hopping after that.

Bart

Jul 13, 2009
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re: congratulations
by: Anonymous

Thanks for the information! I will be sure to look at your program and the others!!!

Aug 08, 2009
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hi
by: Anonymous

will you still grow taller or is your other leg gonns be longer than the other one?

Aug 08, 2009
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re
by: Anonymous

well, i'm just about done growing. I'm almost 15, and almost 6 feet tall. But, your leg will still grow, and they should be the same size. They were worried that if i was going to grow a lot more, that it would stretch my new ACL to much, and cause problems, but my growth plates are almost closed. So, i will be fine. Why?

Nov 07, 2009
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RE: My story
by: Anonymous

I haven't updated anyone in awhile! I was completely released by the doctor on October 12 to play all sports with a brace! I was so EXCITED! I am now done my first week of Varsity basketball practice! My knee is a little sore, and a little swollen, but they say that is normal! It is GREAT to be back on the court again! I just want to let everyone know that it may be challenging, but you can do it, and you will have more appreciation for the sport you love, and those who can never play sports! Good luck to everyone and God bless!