ACL Reconstruct in Thailand

by Alan Ewens
(Dubai, UAE/Pattaya, Thailand)

After 30+ years of playing football (or soccer for our US cousins), I finally received the "ugh" injury when I tore my ACL last October. No physical challenge, just an attempt at a reverse pass accompanied by a horrible pop... you know the rest.

At first, my doctor in Dubai put me in cast for a month, removed it four weeks later and said "do some physio - bye bye." After a few months of limping around, I guessed something was still not right and in February, after attending a Vets' football tournament in Bangkok and - sensibly - opting out of playing at the last minute despite the heavy strapping, I went for an MRI and got the obvious result. Torn ACL but no menisci damage.

I opted to have the surgery done in Thailand (I have a home there) and chose Payathai Hospita in Sriracha. The surgeon spoke excellent English, talked me through the procedure and outlined the recovery. After consulting a few people who had personal experience of his surgery, I went ahead on June 1, 2010.

I didn't have any real fear despite never having spent any time in hospital or experienced any invasive surgery. After over three hours under the knife - and the best drugs I have ever encountered! - I was back in my room with a heavily strapped left leg but no real pain.

Despite the morphine drip, I didn't have to use it once and was out after 48 hours. The crutches were a bit awkward to begin with but I managed to drive home and had the leg up for two days before I found I could walk gingerly without the crutches. I probably gave them up completely less than a week into post-op.

Today is now 16 days since the op. I can straighten the leg no problem but I remain in the knee brace locked at 90 degrees during day time. Stitches have been removed and aside from tne vertical scar and a couple of marks where the op was done, it really isn't too bad.

So where do I go from here? I have to travel for work over the next month before my six-week check in mid-July back in Thailand. At the moment, I am walking unaided but I have about 25% confidence in the leg and am cautious while climbing stairs and ramps. I have been doing some light aerobic work in the pool but nothing in the gym - I'll assess the situation on that side of it when I see a sports physio in my work city of Dubai next week.

I am a 47yo male, 5ft 11, 85kg and looking to get back to playing football around January 2011. Doable?

Any thoughts gratefully received...