Irish girls ACL injury

Hi I'm a 20 year old camogie player. Last summer i tore my PCL in my left knee. It didn't require surgery, just 3 months rehab that went really well and was a success. i got back to playing again and 3 weeks ago i tore my ACL in my right knee. During a tackling drill i twisted and heard an instant crack. for the first couple of hours i couldn't weight bear but after that it was sore only in bending and motion. I was convinced it was ok but after an MRI it was confirmed i had fully tore my ACL. im gutted and waiting on surgery now in sept. i am due to start university 4 days after the operation. scared about the op and the long recovery period

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Irish girls ACL injury

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Aug 12, 2009
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dont worry!!
by: Karen

Hi,

I was in the situation as you! However, I was playing gaelic. I go to university in wales and was the first year we had a ladies gaelic team.. was only the 2nd match of the session when I tore my acl and pcl.. I didnt really no much about but thought it would be ok after a few weeks.. little did i no 7months later id be going in for surgery.. it happened in december and i just had the operation 4weeks ago!!

The first 4 days are the hardest so you will be over the worst before you go to uni. I was off the crutches after 2weeks, now have full range of motion back and today at physio started to use the stationary bike! You should start physio as soon as possible to get movement and range of motion back. The first few days it will be very painful to weight bear and even for minimul movement so make sure to take painkillers and anti-inflammatories as perscribed. Also if the nurse asks if you want more morphine or anything take it even if you dont feel you need it at that time because the pain will set in and youll be sorry you didnt take it! it also helps you sleep easier the first few nights!

When you start physio the first session is the worst.. so dont be put off by it, it will only get better!! when you start to extend it, just above the knee cap will feel like it is about to explode.. it is a very weird feeling and thats the only way to describe it but doing this does not cause any damage and although it is sore try to do this as much as you can by doing heal slides. This will get your range of motion back which is vital to regain a normal walking rythnm!

I am 4weeks out now and am doing well but the pain is still there.. its going to be a long road ahead but I am struggling more mentally then physically.. I am studying sports science, so my degree and basically my life revolves around sport and im finding it hard not being able to do anything! What iv been told is not to do too much too soon as that can only damage the new graft but its easy for them to say.. with that, all I can say is be positive about your recovery and always push yourself to do your exercises, it may be a pain but its the only way for it to get strong again!

Where are you getting it done and what graft are you using?

If you have any other questions dont hesitate to ask!

Good luck, Karen!

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Aug 12, 2009
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Submitted by: Karen

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Hi, I was in the situation as you! However, I was playing gaelic. I go to university in wales and was the first year we had a ladies gaelic team.. was only the 2nd match of the session when I tore my acl and pcl.. I didnt really no much about but thought it would be ok after a few weeks.. little did i no 7months later id be going in for surgery.. it happened in december and i just had the operation 4weeks ago!! The first 4 days are the hardest so you will be over the worst before you go to uni. I was off the crutches after 2weeks, now have full range of motion back and today at physio started to use the stationary bike! You should start physio as soon as possible to get movement and range of motion back. The first few days it will be very painful to weight bear and even for minimul movement so make sure to take painkillers and anti-inflammatories as perscribed. Also if the nurse asks if you want more morphine or anything take it even if you dont feel you need it at that time because the pain will set in and youll be sorry you didnt take it! it also helps you sleep easier the first few nights! When you start physio the first session is the worst.. so dont be put off by it, it will only get better!! when you start to extend it, just above the knee cap will feel like it is about to explode.. it is a very weird feeling and thats the only way to describe it but doing this does not cause any damage and although it is sore try to do this as much as you can by doing heal slides. This will get your range of motion back which is vital to regain a normal walking rythnm! I am 4weeks out now and am doing well but the pain is still there.. its going to be a long road ahead but I am struggling more mentally then physically.. I am studying sports science, so my degree and basically my life revolves around sport and im finding it hard not being able to do anything! What iv been told is not to do too much too soon as that can only damage the new graft but its easy for them to say.. with that, all I can say is be positive about your recovery and always push yourself to do your exercises, it may be a pain but its the only way for it to get strong again! Where are you getting it done and what graft are you using? If you have any other questions dont hesitate to ask! Good luck, Karen!

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Aug 20, 2009
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Get raedy for teh surgery
by: Anonymous

I tore my ACL by skiing. I had a surgery within a month from the day I hurt my knee. It's been 4 weeks from the surgery now.

I was doing rehab before surgery everyday.
I tried to get normal ROM by pedaling a stationary bike. I also did quads strength workouts like tube leg press.

On the surgery day, I was told to move ankle to improve circulation on the way home from surgical centre and do some tube leg press when I got home.
First 4-5days, you should stay on your bed and do RICE as much as possible.

Actually, I didn't use cruches. I only used for stairs at home. I stopped taking painkiller within 2days because it didn't hurt at all. Of course, when you try to bend your knee, it's really unconmfortable, but not a severe pain.
(Maybe I'm just lucky, but you should know there is this kind of person)

I started riding on stationary bike after a week of surgery. It's just half pedaling but a good ROM excersice. After 2 weeks, I could start full pedalling.

Now my ROM is getting better, but the knee is still swollen(not too bad) so I'm still doing RICE as much as possible.

Try to keep moving your knee within the ROM after surgery, so that you can get your ROM back quickly. I hope this helps you. Good luck.