Confused!!!!

I tore my ACL about four weeks ago but didnt go and get it checked out until yesterday. I am waiting on a call to schedule my surgery but i am getting an allograft. Just wondering how long the recovery is usually with an allograft, and how long will i be on crutches for. Also wondering what kind of brace i would have on my knee after my surgery and how long do you usually have to wear it for. They also told me i may have torn another ligament (possibly my PCL) but they wont know until they get in there. Will this make my recovery any different??

Comments for
Confused!!!!

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Oct 18, 2009
Rating

questions
by: Bart - SII

ACL recovery is about the same overall time line for autograft vs. allograft. The biggest difference is there is usually less post-operative pain with the allograft, because they do not have to harvest the graft from your own knee. Range of motion usually returns quicker, and there is less trauma to the knee. Overall though, most ACL reconstructions are a 6-9 month recovery process.

Brace and crutch use varies depending on the physician. The traditional post-op brace is a hinged knee brace that goes from mid calf to upper thigh and allows for a specific amount of motion. Time of wear will vary, but most doctors use it for 3-5 weeks. Crutch use usually lasts for 2-3 weeks, but also will depend on how quickly you can restore normal walking pain free.

PCL injury won't change your recovery time too much, unless they decide to reconstruct the PCL as well. That changes things significantly. However, PCL reconstruction is not nearly as common as ACLR, as the PCL has some potential to heal on its own, unlike the ACL.

Hope this helps.

Bart

Oct 18, 2009
Rating

forgot to add this
by: Anonymous

i forgot to add that if i have any pcl damage they said they were going to try to reconstruct that at the same time. How would this change things would it make my recovery longer

Oct 26, 2009
Rating

PCL + ACL Reconstruction
by: Bart - SII

PCL reconstruction goes a little slower in the rehab to restore range of motion. This is because the PCL becomes taught after 90 degrees of flexion, so most physicians will restrict your knee motion to no more than 90 degrees for the first few weeks. Overall recovery is about the same, so in big picture time frame, still looking at 6-9 months.

Hope this helps.

Bart

Oct 29, 2009
Rating

Best Wishes
by: Denise

Hi,

I'm not sure about the PCL injury and how that complicates matters, but what I do know is that recovery from ACL surgery involving an allograft is considered faster and less painful, since there's no need for healing at a graft harvest site.

I've had the ACL reconstruction surgery and I'm very glad that I did. I had a synthetic graft (I wanted an autograft but due to my height and build that was unsuitable, so I trusted my surgeon and went with the synthetic), was on crutches for approximately 6 - 8 weeks, although towards the end of that time I used a single crutch and only when walking over long distances. As for bracing, it's very much down to your orthopaedic surgeon and physiotherapist. After my surgery I was expecting to see a huge brace that restricted movement, but instead all I had was a compression bandage. My physiotherapist cringed every time I mentioned the 'brace' word.

I know it can be confusing and while it's good to research and be well informed before the surgery, just remember that you may read a lot of scary stories on the Internet so try not to let them get you down. Each case is different. The same goes for recovery - the time taken for 'Full Recovery' is generally quoted as being 6-12 months, but everyone heals at different rates.

I'm now approaching 5 months post-op and have already been discharged from physiotherapy. I'm still not cleared for sports, but I can do all the things I could normally do, walking, squatting, jogging, even climbing up ladders. My knee is stable again and all the hard work in physiotherapy is paying off.

I hope everything works out well for you. With a good surgeon, and physiotherapist, and most of all support from friends and family I'm sure you'll be back to normal sooner than you think. You're in my prayers!

Denise

X Close Editor

Oct 29, 2009
Rating

Submitted by: Denise

Title

Comment
Hi, I'm not sure about the PCL injury and how that complicates matters, but what I do know is that recovery from ACL surgery involving an allograft is considered faster and less painful, since there's no need for healing at a graft harvest site. I've had the ACL reconstruction surgery and I'm very glad that I did. I had a synthetic graft (I wanted an autograft but due to my height and build that was unsuitable, so I trusted my surgeon and went with the synthetic), was on crutches for approximately 6 - 8 weeks, although towards the end of that time I used a single crutch and only when walking over long distances. As for bracing, it's very much down to your orthopaedic surgeon and physiotherapist. After my surgery I was expecting to see a huge brace that restricted movement, but instead all I had was a compression bandage. My physiotherapist cringed every time I mentioned the 'brace' word. I know it can be confusing and while it's good to research and be well informed before the surgery, just remember that you may read a lot of scary stories on the Internet so try not to let them get you down. Each case is different. The same goes for recovery - the time taken for 'Full Recovery' is generally quoted as being 6-12 months, but everyone heals at different rates. I'm now approaching 5 months post-op and have already been discharged from physiotherapy. I'm still not cleared for sports, but I can do all the things I could normally do, walking, squatting, jogging, even climbing up ladders. My knee is stable again and all the hard work in physiotherapy is paying off. I hope everything works out well for you. With a good surgeon, and physiotherapist, and most of all support from friends and family I'm sure you'll be back to normal sooner than you think. You're in my prayers! Denise

Cancel Delete Delete & Ban

throbber Updating Comments page...

Nov 02, 2009
Rating

to denise
by: debra

this is a thank you note i tore my acl ligament at work on 10/17/09 and i am having reconstuction surgery on 11/12/09 my doctor is using the donor graph(cadaver). i have been worried out of my mind i cryed the day he told me about the surgery but after reading your comments it sounds like your surgery is allot like what im going to have. your story has lifted a huge worry and very huge fear off my mind . i dont feel so scared now. thank you debra

Nov 13, 2009
Rating

To Debra: Hope You're Doing Well
by: Denise

Hi and sorry for the late reply. You're very welcome. I completely understand how you feel and I remember the moment I was told that surgery may be necessary. I cried in the waiting room of the clinic and was inconsolable. I hope your operation went well. Best wishes for your recovery.