Be aware every time you do something, anything that hurts that knee you will slow or stop the swelling from going down. Need to be smart.
I've come back to this board to have a little read, see what's up. I had an ACL reconstruction just over 4 years ago now. I appear to have many problems, but I'm not going to bore/scare you by listing them off now.
I will say this though, days run into weeks, and weeks into months in seemingly the bat of an eyelid
Decide, and get on with it.
I asked a lot of questions, took a lot of advice and read a lot. I'm in the UK and the most common procedure over here is the hamstring graft. I enquired about patella and opp patella at the time and got what I consider to be solid advice from my surgeon, a top three guy who works exclusively on pro sportsmen and rich people lol (I lucked my way in due to a weird history).
Bear in mind attitudes and opinions are different over here, a number of doctors told me I shouldn't have the surgery at all, but to give up all sports instead....
So my advice to you is make your decision quickly. Do not entertain the idea of a donor part. Doctors on both sides of the pond agree in general it's not the way for us.
Decide, and get on with it.
Whilst I've had problems and will continue sadly to have problems, these have nothing to do directly with my ACL recon, much more with the state of my knee generally. I went 25 years without an ACL and this is the root cause of my problems now. I'm 45 by the way.
So, don't end up like me.
Decide, and get on with it.
Do the physio and you'll be fine.
17
ACL & MCL ingury
Started by
Havingfun
, Dec 12 2011 02:26 PM
124 replies to this topic
325 posts
Location: Massachusetts
Posted 26 January 2012 - 06:25 AM
Havingfun, on 23 December 2011 - 04:04 AM, said:
does not sound good.. hope that it changes for you. still limping at 6 months.. why so long on the couch?
its a long road back because leg extension machines are not to be used again at all as instructed by my surgeon...so try to pump up your quads without that machine...every exercise doesnt hit that muscle group the same...
2253 posts
Location: Michigan
Posted 31 January 2012 - 05:33 PM
thanks for all the support....very informative to share experiences. have pre-surgery met friday feb-3 with Dr. Shelbourne. Not looking forward to surgery.
Purchased a older laptop the other day to surf thumper with while on my back several days.
Be interesting to hear comments about my leg extension ability Friday. Can move 90%, just feels 60% right now. Said they wanted 100% before surgery.
Purchased a older laptop the other day to surf thumper with while on my back several days.
Be interesting to hear comments about my leg extension ability Friday. Can move 90%, just feels 60% right now. Said they wanted 100% before surgery.
2253 posts
Location: Michigan
Posted 06 February 2012 - 07:33 AM
Just a follow up on those that like to read 
Had my pre-surgery meet with Shelbourne. I have to say they cover a lot of ground, you know what to expect before, during, and weeks after, your surgery. Not like the old days, or at least there office is not. They give you had out book detailing everything, and if you stay there they give you one to for food and things to do around indy. Very cool.
Tested both my legs for strength.. and my bad leg (left) is half is strong as my right. So I have a long ways to get it to equal my right. That’s going to be a long road to climb afterwords. Flexibility is ok, strength is not. You sure lose mussel or mussel control when you do not use it – fast. Need to keep up with pre–surgery exercises to get strength back in leg so I can strengthen it (hyper flex). Trying to get it as close to normal as they can before surgery without irritating it.
They finally seen my MRI. South bend orthopedic in indiana SBO (the ones that did my mri) sent me with the wrong MRI, it was someones hip replacement – HIPPA violations.. seems like they would not send me a bill after that one.. but had the ball to do so.. hum.
What was interesting the SBO doctor surgeon said I had possible minuses damage, when Shelbourne office seen it, no second guess as they could see minuses damage. The PT said he could see it easily. The (SBO) and the radiologist MRI report (Florida readers), and there view (SBO) of it, said they were not sure. My knee has a lot of continual discomfort and some swelling, from minuses damage. Originally when I hurt my leg I thought my MCL might be damage because of the right inner pain (left leg), that’s my minuses damage or part of it. MCL is ok.
Anyway, surgery is set for 20th February, soonest I could get in. Got my cheap laptop to help with boredom of laying on back for a week.
Had my pre-surgery meet with Shelbourne. I have to say they cover a lot of ground, you know what to expect before, during, and weeks after, your surgery. Not like the old days, or at least there office is not. They give you had out book detailing everything, and if you stay there they give you one to for food and things to do around indy. Very cool.
Tested both my legs for strength.. and my bad leg (left) is half is strong as my right. So I have a long ways to get it to equal my right. That’s going to be a long road to climb afterwords. Flexibility is ok, strength is not. You sure lose mussel or mussel control when you do not use it – fast. Need to keep up with pre–surgery exercises to get strength back in leg so I can strengthen it (hyper flex). Trying to get it as close to normal as they can before surgery without irritating it.
They finally seen my MRI. South bend orthopedic in indiana SBO (the ones that did my mri) sent me with the wrong MRI, it was someones hip replacement – HIPPA violations.. seems like they would not send me a bill after that one.. but had the ball to do so.. hum.
What was interesting the SBO doctor surgeon said I had possible minuses damage, when Shelbourne office seen it, no second guess as they could see minuses damage. The PT said he could see it easily. The (SBO) and the radiologist MRI report (Florida readers), and there view (SBO) of it, said they were not sure. My knee has a lot of continual discomfort and some swelling, from minuses damage. Originally when I hurt my leg I thought my MCL might be damage because of the right inner pain (left leg), that’s my minuses damage or part of it. MCL is ok.
Anyway, surgery is set for 20th February, soonest I could get in. Got my cheap laptop to help with boredom of laying on back for a week.
2253 posts
Location: Michigan
Posted 06 February 2012 - 07:36 AM
When they tested my bad leg, it is half as strong as good one.. long road to climb.
1talbotj, on 26 January 2012 - 06:25 AM, said:
this new format has me all backwards...but the reason for the coach time was to allow the miniscus to reattach at the suture points...and to let the muscle attrophy a little (weaken) so i didnt tear it again in rehab...
its a long road back because leg extension machines are not to be used again at all as instructed by my surgeon...so try to pump up your quads without that machine...every exercise doesnt hit that muscle group the same...
its a long road back because leg extension machines are not to be used again at all as instructed by my surgeon...so try to pump up your quads without that machine...every exercise doesnt hit that muscle group the same...
2253 posts
Location: Michigan
Posted 14 February 2012 - 01:31 PM
well going under the knife this monday... Not looking forward to it... Somehow getting put to sleep (waver signed of course), holes drilled through femur and tib does not sound good, nor bone graph. If I am up to it I will post some pictures. wi-fi is hit an miss from the part I am staying at.. hope I can get online.. not sure what I am going to do on my back for 5 days if I dont get internet.
463 posts
Location: Florida
Posted 15 February 2012 - 06:25 AM
Havingfun, on 14 February 2012 - 01:31 PM, said:
well going under the knife this monday... Not looking forward to it... Somehow getting put to sleep (waver signed of course), holes drilled through femur and tib does not sound good, nor bone graph. If I am up to it I will post some pictures. wi-fi is hit an miss from the part I am staying at.. hope I can get online.. not sure what I am going to do on my back for 5 days if I dont get internet.
Today is my 6 month anniversery for my ACL surgery. . . . You'll be fine, they knock you out completely for the proceedure and should install "nerve blocks" which will keep you from feeling anything in your leg for at least 12 hrs. After that, pain pills for a day or so then u should be good with Advil. As a matter of fact from a pain point of view the most discomfort of the whole ordeal for me was the EXTREME constipation i suffered 3 or 4 days after. No fun at all!!! LOL . . . Watch what you eat, maybe just fruit and juice leading up to and after the surgery.
First week was fairly debilitating but after that keep yourself busy with upper body excercises and get on a stationary bike ASAP. Time will go by quicker than you expect.
Good Luck!
Edited by Metalman62, 15 February 2012 - 06:27 AM.
2253 posts
Location: Michigan
Posted 15 February 2012 - 10:47 AM
Thanks for the feedback. Kind of over looked the constipation, that’s a good idea to plan for, eating before and after.. Every time I end up in hospital I get constipated. When I hurt my knee/leg I was constipated for 2-3 days (was not in hospital) even went and bought some magnesium citrate. Thanks, sounds like something to plan for..
I still do upper body exercises, have not been doing much of anything - motorcycle, treadmill, or cycle. Driving me nuts. Had to back off to get swelling down, still a little, they said its good.
What kind of procedure did you have, when do you think you'll be back on a bike or feeling normal?
I still do upper body exercises, have not been doing much of anything - motorcycle, treadmill, or cycle. Driving me nuts. Had to back off to get swelling down, still a little, they said its good.
What kind of procedure did you have, when do you think you'll be back on a bike or feeling normal?
Metalman62, on 15 February 2012 - 06:25 AM, said:
Today is my 6 month anniversery for my ACL surgery. . . . You'll be fine, they knock you out completely for the proceedure and should install "nerve blocks" which will keep you from feeling anything in your leg for at least 12 hrs. After that, pain pills for a day or so then u should be good with Advil. As a matter of fact from a pain point of view the most discomfort of the whole ordeal for me was the EXTREME constipation i suffered 3 or 4 days after. No fun at all!!! LOL . . . Watch what you eat, maybe just fruit and juice leading up to and after the surgery.
First week was fairly debilitating but after that keep yourself busy with upper body excercises and get on a stationary bike ASAP. Time will go by quicker than you expect.
Good Luck!
First week was fairly debilitating but after that keep yourself busy with upper body excercises and get on a stationary bike ASAP. Time will go by quicker than you expect.
Good Luck!
463 posts
Location: Florida
Posted 15 February 2012 - 12:16 PM
After lots of research I had the same side patellar tendon done. Would have gone to Dr. Mark in TX but just couldnt manage the time away from work and family. If i remember your previous posts correctly you are going to Dr Shelburn (sp?) and I would say you chose wisely.
As far as my recovery goes . . .
at 1 week I was walking w/o crutches.
2-3 weeks riding a stationary bike well enough to get my heart rate up
2-3 months was riding bicycle and working the elipicital pretty hard.
3-4 months I started jogging on the treadmill. Would walk 1 min then jog 4 min
Also at 4 months the doc had me fitted with this bitchen CIT brace and I started riding MX real easy. Knee would get sore quick though.
Now at 6 months I'm riding my new KTM (a recovery gift to myself) more or less normaly but still have some weakness in my leg so I'm not going balls out just yet. Doc says to continue to wear the brace for 6 more months when all of the healing should be complete.
I've read others who claim quicker progress but I decided to just work the PT as hard as I could and go along with how I felt to determine my progress. On the positive side the time off the bike has allowed me to focus on strenght, balance and cardio which has put me in the best shape I've been in a long time.
Good luck!!
As far as my recovery goes . . .
at 1 week I was walking w/o crutches.
2-3 weeks riding a stationary bike well enough to get my heart rate up
2-3 months was riding bicycle and working the elipicital pretty hard.
3-4 months I started jogging on the treadmill. Would walk 1 min then jog 4 min
Also at 4 months the doc had me fitted with this bitchen CIT brace and I started riding MX real easy. Knee would get sore quick though.
Now at 6 months I'm riding my new KTM (a recovery gift to myself) more or less normaly but still have some weakness in my leg so I'm not going balls out just yet. Doc says to continue to wear the brace for 6 more months when all of the healing should be complete.
I've read others who claim quicker progress but I decided to just work the PT as hard as I could and go along with how I felt to determine my progress. On the positive side the time off the bike has allowed me to focus on strenght, balance and cardio which has put me in the best shape I've been in a long time.
Good luck!!
984 posts
Location: Colorado
Posted 15 February 2012 - 02:20 PM
Good luck to you! Your situation is illustrative of why people should get multiple opinions when seeking treatment for a medical problem. There is a reason they call it practicing medicine!
As you've learned, there are multiple possible approaches to many things. If we only had a crystal ball that would tell us which doc is right and which is best. All you can do is seek competent physicians and listen to what they say and evaluate their words as best as you can. Easier said than done. Sounds like you've done your homework at this point.
Its pain pills that cause post-op constipation. It usually rears its ugly head a few days later. They won't let you eat pre-op so I don't think pre-op foods will impact the situation. Lots of fluids afterwards would be good along with a stool softener. Ask your doc about it.
At my age, my prostate was enlarged so I couldn't pee after I woke up. That got me the wonderful experience of a catheter inserted by a very nice nurse and now meds for that. All is good now but it was a bit of a humbling experience. Nothing new for the nurses...just for me.
Get the dang knee fixed and get back to doing what you want. Football players have this done all the time and you don't want to go hobbling around all the rest of your life.
As you've learned, there are multiple possible approaches to many things. If we only had a crystal ball that would tell us which doc is right and which is best. All you can do is seek competent physicians and listen to what they say and evaluate their words as best as you can. Easier said than done. Sounds like you've done your homework at this point.
Its pain pills that cause post-op constipation. It usually rears its ugly head a few days later. They won't let you eat pre-op so I don't think pre-op foods will impact the situation. Lots of fluids afterwards would be good along with a stool softener. Ask your doc about it.
At my age, my prostate was enlarged so I couldn't pee after I woke up. That got me the wonderful experience of a catheter inserted by a very nice nurse and now meds for that. All is good now but it was a bit of a humbling experience. Nothing new for the nurses...just for me.
Get the dang knee fixed and get back to doing what you want. Football players have this done all the time and you don't want to go hobbling around all the rest of your life.
2253 posts
Location: Michigan
Posted 16 February 2012 - 08:16 AM
@metal - yes Dr Shelbourne, he's the Shelbourne Knee Center www.aclmd.com. I believe Dr. Mark learned his technique from him.
Your knee soreness from riding is from bone still healing or something else? Sound like you are on the right trail, I am in no hurry, but sure like to ride 1/2 the year if I can. If not 1/4 year. The knee brace some hing I need to talk to the about. I'll have my yearly detectable will be all paid up for this year by next week.. so everything should be covered the rest of this year. Maybe they will slid the knee braces in, though the PT said he does not think they work in preventing the same type of injury. Riding before healed is another argument.
@dmac1 - Going to eat mostly fish and veggies and fruit the last few days before, will watch food post surgery. Did your prostrate sneak up on you overnight? Went through this with my dad last year, one day in major pain and headed to hospital, right now he's managing it with pills.
Yea, my knee is not at all right, need to get it fixed. I don’t know how people go about not fixing it, mine is not right. Then my meniscus is messed up, imagine if got that fixed most of the pain might go away. I been talking to several people on here about there experiences with doctors, acl repair and not repaired. Really great way to inform yourself about stuff. Thanks for all the info.
Your knee soreness from riding is from bone still healing or something else? Sound like you are on the right trail, I am in no hurry, but sure like to ride 1/2 the year if I can. If not 1/4 year. The knee brace some hing I need to talk to the about. I'll have my yearly detectable will be all paid up for this year by next week.. so everything should be covered the rest of this year. Maybe they will slid the knee braces in, though the PT said he does not think they work in preventing the same type of injury. Riding before healed is another argument.
@dmac1 - Going to eat mostly fish and veggies and fruit the last few days before, will watch food post surgery. Did your prostrate sneak up on you overnight? Went through this with my dad last year, one day in major pain and headed to hospital, right now he's managing it with pills.
Yea, my knee is not at all right, need to get it fixed. I don’t know how people go about not fixing it, mine is not right. Then my meniscus is messed up, imagine if got that fixed most of the pain might go away. I been talking to several people on here about there experiences with doctors, acl repair and not repaired. Really great way to inform yourself about stuff. Thanks for all the info.
Edited by Havingfun, 16 February 2012 - 08:41 AM.
7521 posts
Location: Texas
Posted 16 February 2012 - 06:17 PM
You are in good hands with Dr. Shelbourne. Most of what I know about the knee I learned from him.
The license plate on my Turbo is ACLMD, but don't tell Don that!
The license plate on my Turbo is ACLMD, but don't tell Don that!
2253 posts
Location: Michigan
Posted 17 February 2012 - 08:28 AM
lol.. I did tell him you hang out here on thumpertalk and offer advice in the health and fitness area. He said he needs to network more
Yes, Out of all the places I been to, glad I ended up with him. He's a good doc. thank pappy141 for directing me to him.
Yes, Out of all the places I been to, glad I ended up with him. He's a good doc. thank pappy141 for directing me to him.
DrMark, on 16 February 2012 - 06:17 PM, said:
You are in good hands with Dr. Shelbourne. Most of what I know about the knee I learned from him.
The license plate on my Turbo is ACLMD, but don't tell Don that!
The license plate on my Turbo is ACLMD, but don't tell Don that!
984 posts
Location: Colorado
Posted 17 February 2012 - 01:30 PM
Havingfun, on 16 February 2012 - 08:16 AM, said:
@dmac1 - ....Did your prostrate sneak up on you overnight? Went through this with my dad last year, one day in major pain and headed to hospital, right now he's managing it with pills.
No surgery is risk free but follow your doc's instructions and ask questions if something doesn't seem right.
Has Dr. Shelbourne talked to you about microfracture surgery? Sounds like it from the drilling into the tibial plateau. Thats the only way I've ever heard of to regenerate cartilage....and it isn't cartilage like you were born with but it is as close to cartilage as man knows how to make within a human body. Or was last time I heard about it. I think a doc here in Colorado pioneered that tact a number of years ago. His name is Dr. Steadman. Kenyon Martin is one pro athlete who had it done and he is playing pro basketball.
Have a nice nap on Monday!
2253 posts
Location: Michigan
Posted 17 February 2012 - 02:10 PM
Your no flow first issues was post surgery recovery? I did not pick that up in last post, I probably skip over some words. Gosh, from being constipated, now I have to worry about not peeing! Glad to hear yours is doing good.
What is micro fracture surgery? He takes the patella graph from opposite leg along with bone on each end.
Nap sounds good, but not looking forward to that one.
What is micro fracture surgery? He takes the patella graph from opposite leg along with bone on each end.
Nap sounds good, but not looking forward to that one.
dmac1, on 17 February 2012 - 01:30 PM, said:
I had no pain....just couldn't pee after surgery. Its pretty common with old guys like me I guess. The nurses were on the lookout for it....just as they are for any post op issues. Now I take meds every day so I don't have to make a bunch of trips to the bathroom and I get my prostate examined every year. So far, so good.
No surgery is risk free but follow your doc's instructions and ask questions if something doesn't seem right.
Has Dr. Shelbourne talked to you about microfracture surgery? Sounds like it from the drilling into the tibial plateau. Thats the only way I've ever heard of to regenerate cartilage....and it isn't cartilage like you were born with but it is as close to cartilage as man knows how to make within a human body. Or was last time I heard about it. I think a doc here in Colorado pioneered that tact a number of years ago. His name is Dr. Steadman. Kenyon Martin is one pro athlete who had it done and he is playing pro basketball.
Have a nice nap on Monday!
No surgery is risk free but follow your doc's instructions and ask questions if something doesn't seem right.
Has Dr. Shelbourne talked to you about microfracture surgery? Sounds like it from the drilling into the tibial plateau. Thats the only way I've ever heard of to regenerate cartilage....and it isn't cartilage like you were born with but it is as close to cartilage as man knows how to make within a human body. Or was last time I heard about it. I think a doc here in Colorado pioneered that tact a number of years ago. His name is Dr. Steadman. Kenyon Martin is one pro athlete who had it done and he is playing pro basketball.
Have a nice nap on Monday!
984 posts
Location: Colorado
Posted 17 February 2012 - 02:29 PM
Microfracture is just a meniscus repair. They drill into your bone to get it to bleed and you mentioned drilling, so thats what came to my mind. I'm sure your doctor knows what will work for your situation. Sounds like you have both an ACL problem and a meniscus tear.
http://en.wikipedia....racture_surgery
http://en.wikipedia....racture_surgery
7521 posts
Location: Texas
Posted 17 February 2012 - 03:40 PM
Microfracture is making holes in the bone, hoping new cartlage grows up fromt he holes. The results of this surgery deteriorate over time. I feel comfortable in saying that Dr Shelbourne and I believe that microfracture surgery is a waste of time and money. Naturally people have the right to differing opinions. The epicenter of those opinions is Colorado where Dr. Steadman works.
147 posts
Location: Michigan
Posted 19 February 2012 - 04:59 PM
Hey Havingfun...Thnaks for the updates...This is a great learning expierence for all...I wish you all the best and look forward to your next post.
2253 posts
Location: Michigan
Posted 21 February 2012 - 06:14 AM
made it out alive,got acl and knee fixed. Started therapy day of surgery, can walk(few steps), but only allowed up off back 4x perday for this week. First 24hrs could not leave bed. Picture is of cpm machine on reconstructed acl leg.. other knee has ice pack on it where they took the graph. they removed drain tubes this morning from knee caps today. All in all so far this is much less painful then when I hurt it, by 100x, give update in a few days incase the meds are talking.
2253 posts
Location: Michigan
Posted 21 February 2012 - 08:28 AM
video of cpm machine.. same day of surgery. I PT 3x day of surgery and use cpm 24/7
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