My ACL recovery

by Sangeeta
(Columbia,MD USA)

I tore my right knee ACL last year in March. Probably the weirdest way to tear one. I was in an airplane and once we landed I reached over to get my overheadluggage and turned with the bag in my hand, when I suddenly heard a loud POP and my knee just gave away ! I still cannot believe I tore my ACL that way !

So after X-rays and MRI;s I decided to get it reconstructed. I had an allograft procedure done on May 5, 2008. The procedure went well and I came back home the same day.

PT started 4 days after the surgery. Initially it was thrice a week for about couple of months and then down to twice a week. Mine being the right knee, I couldnt drive for about 4 weeks and was on crutches for about the same period of time.

Recovery was ok. Along with PT I did cycling and elliptical at the gym after 3-4 months. Then after 7 months, I did some light running. For past couple of months, I was back to full workout schedule except running outside for long distance.

But last week, after 4 days of intense workouts, I noticed a swelling and discomfort on my knee. Not too intense but enough to bother me and now I am starting to freak out a bit. I am icing it and resting for a couple of days, but its still bothering me.

Its almost 11 months since the surgery and things were going so well and now I seem to have a sudden setback. Anyone experience this? Is this something I have to be worried about or some rest and icing will take care of it?

Any thoughts on this? Any advice will be appreciated :-)

Thanks so much !

Sangeeta.