Lisa's ACL

by Lisa
(Medina Ohio)

I completely tore my ACL at the femural end on May 5, 2010 while sparring in Tae Kwon Do. I felt the classic pop and my knee just caved in and I went down. Wasn't doing much at the moment it happened, just skipping forward to close the gap and pushed off my right foot and POP and pain! I knew immediately I really messed up my knee. My one instructor who does sports rehab came over and did the Lachman's test and she said my ACL was mush. I didn't believe her. Total denial - just a bad sprain. Saw the ortho a few days later and he said most certainly a complete tear and ordered the MRI, which confirmed. When he offered his opinion on my first visit my jaw just dropped in horror, all I could think of was I was out of tae kwon do and hapkido for 6 months to a year - how would I survive? I love it and I would have a huge whole in my life, and will I ever get back to pre-injury level of activity? Luckily for me I am blessed with wonderful super stupendous husband and friends. I know now that I will get back into martial arts and this is a part of my journey. Also, between my first visit and when I saw the ortho after my MRI, I had 5 days to come to terms with everything, so when he said it was a torn ACL and gave me my options, I was able to calmly weighthem and have a clear understanding of everything.

But as I learned more about the surgery from my ortho and physical therapist, I came to the realization that this was going to make all aspects of my life hard! 2 story house, I am self-employed as an attorney, running my business, representing my clients in court, house cleaning, yard work, 4 big dogs - yeah - all on hold for many weeks. Oh, and it's my right leg so no driving for a while. Once I am mobile, I don't fancy hobbling downtown many blocks to court - so at the age of 38, I have a temporary handicap placard. . . never in a millions years did I think I'd have one of those.

So I am nervous about the surgery, never had one since being a little kid and tonsils out. AND I made the mistake of googling the ACL reconstruction surgery - not a smart idea. You Tube should block that! My husband banned me from it!! The gentle terms my ortho explained the surgery in are no where near the wood shop sites I saw! Tunnels - ha! More like drilling holes through your femur and tibia. Harvesting a hamstring graft - ewwww. Not pleasant looking. But at least I feel informed and now can see why I have to baby this knee until the graft vascularizes and rehab it hard.

I am 3 days out from surgery and am antsy to get it done and moving forward in rehab. I remain positive and proactive. I got the cleaning bug and am scouring my house and yard because I won't be able to for a long while. Also cranking on my files at the office. Feel like I am running outta time. I stocked the house with groceries for an army - easy stuff the hubby can easily cook for me.

Bright side - I have a lot of great books I am really excited to read (book worm) and have been denying myself said books until after the surgery. Also, bought yummy treats like whole chocolate milk that no one is allowed to open until after surgery. I get to sit out on the deck with my leg popped up and iced on a beautiful summer morning while my husband serves me coffee and eggs he prepared. Then I can sit back and watch him weed the yard and I don't have to help as I have the best excuse ever! Ok, so I get carried away.