Missy's ACL Injury

by Missy
(Kentucky)

I'm not an athlete, but do a lot of outside work with my family. On March 21, while carrying an armload of tree limbs up a hill, I began to lose my foot grip in sliding rocks and heard and felt that infamous loud pop in my knee. I'm scheduled for ACL reconstruction surgery with a hamstring tendon graft on April 23. I've been trying to be as informed as possible before my surgery. I'm a 43 year old mother of 2 and this has given me a real wakeup to the fact that I can't do the strenuous outside work on our property like I did even 10 years ago. I'm pretty worked up about the surgery, but moreso about the rehab post-surgery. I've been doing exercises twice a day with my knee and finish up with ice packs. Anything else I could be doing? Thanks.

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Missy's ACL Injury

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Apr 19, 2009
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ACL surgery on 4/13 NEW
by: Anonymous

Hi! i am 14 and had the hamstring graft. it has almost been a week. the most important thing is quad strength and since u r having the hamstring graft, some of the exercises will be a little harder bcuz of missing 2 of the tendons. esspecialy the one where u lay on ur stomach, and try to lift your leg up!hamstring & quad strength are most important!!! Good luck & u'll do great! my dad is 41 and had the surgery 2 years ago, and i had mine a week ago tomorrow. my dad was back to full activities within 6 months to a year later, and even practices bball with my varsity team. and i am 14 and i already started the exercise bike & can play bball with a brace at 6 months. i do sugest wearing a functional ACL brace when u get back to activities. Good luck!!!!!

Apr 05, 2009
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quad strength! NEW
by: Michelle

I recommend lots of quad strengthening exercises! I had my ACL reconstruction in November. Everything has come back except my quad strength. My PT calls it "having a flat tire"
There is such a large difference in my quads that I can't even run yet.
Good luck with everything!

Apr 04, 2009
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Acl Injury NEW
by: Bobby

I just had my ACL surgery 11 days ago. ACL and Lateral Meniscus with a patella tendon graft. I just finished my first week of therapy and I already have negative extension and can bend my knee about 120 degrees. My therapist says I'm doing extremely well. I am 28yr old athletic male. I would not worry at all about the surgery itself( I know it is hard not to)the worst part is the post-op so far. I tore my ACL skiing on 2/20/09 and after I was able to start walking again I started to workout my legs hard to prepare for my surgery. Mostly doing leg presses, calf raises, hamstrings, and light squats. I feel that this helped me. I would make sure that somone will be able to help you out after suregery for about 5 days or so because it can be hard to get around for yourself. Make sure you get all your RX filled before the surgery. Talk to your doctor about getting a CPM Machine and a CRYO CUFF. Here are two links:
http://www.arthroscopy.com/sp06001.htm
http://www.supports4u.com/cryo.htm
Hopefully your insurance will cover these items. I did not have the cpm but I love the CRYO Cuff you will find out fast that R.I.C.E (Rest,ICE,Compression,Elevation) will be your best friend. Hope this helps and good luck with your surgery.

Apr 04, 2009
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ACL surgery NEW
by: candy

Hi, my 14 year old son had the surgery yesterday. Before the surgery is went to physical therapy to straighten the knee and 3 weeks before surgery went to gym, rode exercise bike, did leg pushes. the most improtant thing is the rehab after surgery and following orders. good luck

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