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Multiple Knee ACL Revision Recovery


CraigCCW

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Had my 4th ACL Reconstruction done March this year. School rugby unjury, the first 2 were done by the same idiot who made a mess of them.

 

I am hoping to be back on the MTB by December, but currently I am not sure as the knee is still giving me lots of issues.

 

Anyone else out there had multiple ACL Recons, and have gotten back on an MTB? If so, how long, and how has it been since?

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I snapped 2 ACLs on the same knee during my soccer days (two separate incidents).... I since then moved to cycling.

 

Did you have yours done once and the op was unsuccessful x 3??!!! That would be crazy!!

 

For my first op they used my patella tendon as a ligament - recovery was slow and painful - also used a boot to strap leg in which causes a lot of muscle loss.

 

For my second op (5 years after first) they used my hamstring - still attached and then fitted to the correct position over the knee. Recovery was a lot quicker but 9 months of no contact sport.

 

I have recovered pretty well and except for some scar tissue that flares up now and then I have no pain at all. Just stick to what the physio says / prescribes and don't rush recovery.

Edited by Flemish Lion
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Not had mine done multiple times but had a full reconstructive surgery earlier this year caused by a rugby injury. The surgeon took my hamstring to repair the damage.

 

I never wore a knee brace as my surgeon didnt believe in them.

 

I was able to start riding again properly in 3 months.

 

Been 6 months now and I am already back to running sub-40 minute 10kms.

 

As long as the surgeon is good and you do the correct physio and bio afterwards and don't try and rush it, recovery is a breeze. I was on crutches for 2 weeks, then onto physio 3 times a week for 2 weeks and then onto bio for 5 sessions in 2 weeks. Have not looked back since. 

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Knees are a tricky one. I had ACL reconstruction 18 months ago and partially damaged it again 6 weeks ago. While I still struggle with impact exercise (i.e. running), riding doesn't provide any issues. Take it easy in the beginning and as the commentators before me mentioned you'll take around 3-4 months before getting back on the road and a month later should be fine for MTB. This advise may be obsolete though as I don't have experience with multiple ACL surgeries. Good Luck!!!

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I snapped 2 ACLs on the same knee during my soccer days (two separate incidents).... I since then moved to cycling.

 

Did you have yours done once and the op was unsuccessful x 3??!!! That would be crazy!!

 

For my first op they used my patella tendon as a ligament - recovery was slow and painful - also used a boot to strap leg in which causes a lot of muscle loss.

 

For my second op (5 years after first) they used my hamstring - still attached and then fitted to the correct position over the knee. Recovery was a lot quicker but 9 months of no contact sport.

 

I have recovered pretty well and except for some scar tissue that flares up now and then I have no pain at all. Just stick to what the physio says / prescribes and don't rush recovery.

First 2 ops were successful, but didn't last long. 3rd op lasted me 16yrs, last year I stretched it badly, and it needed to be replaced.

 

I have been quite religious about the physio & biokinetics, so hopefully I will get there.

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What issues are you having?

 

Ive had 1 ACL reconstruction and never wanna go thru that pain again :cursing:

 

Had the op in March, I am yet to have a pain free day. Knee is fine when spinning, but if I do alot of walking then it gets quite sore. It doesn't swell up or effuse, just gets sore around the knee cap area.

 

before the op I could ride fine, but after a over 30Km ride I would have alot of pain and instability, thats why I chose to have the op done.

 

I don't want to run or anything like that I just want to ride my MTB and be able to enjoy doing it.

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First 2 ops were successful, but didn't last long. 3rd op lasted me 16yrs, last year I stretched it badly, and it needed to be replaced.

 

I have been quite religious about the physio & biokinetics, so hopefully I will get there.

 

4 ops on the same knee... scary stuff! The area around my scars is pretty numb from all the incisions.

 

If done properly a reconstructed ACL should be as strong as the original.

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WOW! 4!

 

I went to a specialist yesterday who told me that the well known Doc who did my first scope on my left knee messed up royally, & it will have to be redone.

 

Now i am not as peeved off, as i am concerned that this could be an ongoing issue...

 

Is that why they call medicine a "practice" as opposed to a "science"... :eek: 

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WOW! 4!

 

I went to a specialist yesterday who told me that the well known Doc who did my first scope on my left knee messed up royally, & it will have to be redone.

 

Now i am not as peeved off, as i am concerned that this could be an ongoing issue...

 

Is that why they call medicine a "practice" as opposed to a "science"... :eek:

 

Yeah, 4x, often say I would've rather broken my leg

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I am very happy with the op and the Dr who did it, I am sure because of my "unique" case it is just going to take longer than normal to get back to relative normalcy.

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  • 3 years later...

Just reviving an old thread. On Saturday 14/12,I managed to destroy my MCL and ACL and my meniscus is mush apparently. Feeling very sorry for myself when hearing the healing times.  Have to wait for the MCL to heal itself before the doc will do the ACL replacement. 

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