Sue's LONG road to ACL reconstruction

by Sue Plath
(Walnut Creek, CA)

I tore my ACL and broke my tibia in a non sports related way, I fell down some stairs at home and my knee hit the wall of the landing.

My knee was separated into 2 pieces when the EMTs showed up. Believe it or not I had no pain, maybe I was in shock then on pain meds for 2 weeks afterwards.

1 week later I had an appointment with an ortho surgeon and he didn't feel I needed surgery so I proceeded with physical therapy every single day for 3 months. I got to the point where I was walking and feeling good but I was always concerned that I could have an accident and re-injure my knee so I got a second opinion.

I just had surgery on 5/18/09, spent 1 night in the hospital and have had ZERO pain. I began walking with the brace without crutches 4 days after surgery and I go to my post op doctors appointment on 5/29/09.

I dont know what the issues are with others who have ACL surgery and they are in horrible pain but I put this surgery off for so long thinking I would be in horrible pain and not be able to work for a long period of time. NOT!!

I'm sure I wont be water skiing for a while but I'm so glad it's done and over with.