One year on from my ACL surgery

by Richard Purchase
(Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia)

Hi Guys, my names Richard and it's been nearly a year now since my acl surgery. I managed to tear my acl, dislocate my knee and give myself a small fracture at the same time, when riding trails on my motorbike.

I really questioned whether a reconstruction was necessary, but surgery was really my only option because after spending weeks in a knee brace the knee still didn't feel secure and would "give out" at times. I think if you want real stability for your knee, without the thought that later on down the track you may need more surgery because of damage to the meniscus, then a reconstruction is the answer.

I won't kid anyone into thinking that it was an easy path to take, but after the initial pain and swelling and feelings of having made a big mistake.... slowly you start to feel better, the pain eases, you get more and more movement and realize that time will indeed heal all wounds.
I will say that after a year I'm still having trouble with swelling after exercise,some strength issues and full extension still hasn't returned, but it's a dam site better than the alternative.

There's light at the end of the tunnel guys. Anyone who's going through physiotherapy now.....make sure you do your exercises properly and diligently because you're only cheating yourself otherwise.