Quincy's ACL

by Quincy
(Northfield, Illinois)

Background:
I tore my ACL back in June playing basketball. Initially, I just hurt it driving to the basket. I came out, but went back in since I was the 10th guy (needed to have 5-on-5). STUPID! That is when I heard the pop. I didn't know it was my ACL, as many of us properly don't, so I took 3 weeks off, then went back to play again - twice. Both times my knee hurt for days afterward.

I finally couldn't take it. I got an MRI and after a second opinion, both OS confirmed a complete rupture, plus some nice bones bruises from playing with a torn ACL. What a doof I am.

Current Status:
Pre-surgery Physical Therapy (PT) has been awesome. Not sure about the rest of you (and I am curious about this) but I am feeling good as a result of it. I haven't done anything too active though. I think it is standard operating procedure now, but I hightly recommend pre-surgery PT.

I am going in for surgery soon, Sep. 18 2008 (today is Sep.12). Just got back from my Orthopaedic Surgeon (OS) office a few hours ago to discuss what to expect for surgery. The big topic was graphs and groin blocks. I am 39 and I am opting for allogragh (cadaveor achilles) and right now I am leaning heavily towards no groin block. I worry about issues with it - have read some problems some have had. I am taking a chance that I will fight through the post-op pain with the help of oral meds, and not take a groin block and potential issues.

Any info on post-op PT folks can share? I had a PT schedule for 4 days after surgery, but my OS wants me to wait until after I get the stitches out (14 days later). He is worried about infection and me laying on the PT beds that are used by many others, etc.

Thanks - Q

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Quincy's ACL

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Sep 22, 2008
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8/22 update NEW
by: Quincy

Thanks Bart. Things went well. They slipped me a "cocktail" I passed out and woke up with the surgery complete.

Pain is minimal. Adjusting to crutches and being so dependent on others is the worst part thus far. Stupid things like being able to carry a glass from the kitchen to the couch that I took for granted I now don't. Taking a shower post-ops day 3 was a real treat.

Your site and the other users postings were a real help for me - thanks.

Sep 19, 2008
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Hope it went well! NEW
by: Bart - SII

I hope your surgery went well yesterday - about now you are probably wondering "what was I thinking!?!" - don't worry, the first 2-3 days are the worst, then it gets better.

I have seen a huge difference in early results when comparing patients who start treatment within the first 3-4 days vs. patients who wait longer than 10 days - the early motion, early strengthening, and pain control make a huge difference.

The chance for infection is small - all clinics are going to go through good sanitization protocols - we treated patients 1 day out from surgery very often and never had an incidence of infection due to table contamination.

Good luck with everything!

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