Who's had ACL reconstruction?

[burnthiscorpse]

I have needed it done for years but I have been putting it off. I know recovery is entirely individual but my big question is....How long usual before your walking without crutches and able to walk "normally" so to speak without issue? Not so much when you can run or train or anything. But just daily activities. Walking up stairs, walking from room to room. Maybe walking carrying 40-50 lbs ect. I know the complete healing process takes 8-18 mos. But my concern is getting back to daily functioning asap. I have to do this during the winter months when i do because its the slow season at work.

 

[Amebix]

I have needed it done for years but I have been putting it off. I know recovery is entirely individual but my big question is....How long usual before your walking without crutches and able to walk "normally" so to speak without issue? Not so much when you can run or train or anything. But just daily activities. Walking up stairs, walking from room to room. Maybe walking carrying 40-50 lbs ect. I know the complete healing process takes 8-18 mos. But my concern is getting back to daily functioning asap. I have to do this during the winter months when i do because its the slow season at work.

I had the cadaver graft for my ACL surgery. Put me out of work for 3 months. I had to wear a leg brace as well, for roughly 6 months, I believe. It's been almost 3 years now, so my memory is a bit hazy. I was in physical therapy 3 days after my surgery. I think I was on crutches for about 4 weeks, but that's because the leg brace guy had some issues with my insurance company, so he dicked around getting me my brace.
Walking up stairs is kind of a bitch at first, but you get used to it quickly. Just don't try any "Rocky" backwards running up them. I also would be careful carrying any weight, although within a month I was able to carry my groceries up the stairs to my third floor apartment I had at the time. I had mine done in the summer. If you have your in the winter, I'd be careful walking in the snow.

 

[studlife22]

I had my ACL done in October 09 they used my quadricep tendon to replace my acl. I was able to walk on it after about 3 days with a serious limp but was 100% without crutches after 2 weeks. About 2 months i was begining to jog in a pool and 3 months on turf. 5 months i started doing sprint work. A long process but now im back to 100%

 

[burnthiscorpse]

My doc says when he does it he wants to use a quadraceps tendon. I have heard that the spot the graft comes from is more painful healing than the surgery spot.
Good news is I already have one of those very expensive Donjoy ACL braces for each knee. The ones you see NFL players wearing. Thanks to insurance cause those things are freakin expensive!!!
My plan was either this winter or next winter to finally suck it up and get it done.

 

[Amebix]

My doc says when he does it he wants to use a quadraceps tendon. I have heard that the spot the graft comes from is more painful healing than the surgery spot.
Good news is I already have one of those very expensive Donjoy ACL braces for each knee. The ones you see NFL players wearing. Thanks to insurance cause those things are freakin expensive!!!
My plan was either this winter or next winter to finally suck it up and get it done.

Good luck.

 

[burnthiscorpse]

my first though was cadaver. But then even though the percentages are low obviously the body can reject it and or other things like hepatitis ect. As extremely low as those possibilities are I dont even wanna play the odds.

 

[studlife22]

My doc said if your an athlete its better to take a graft of your own tissue. Plus its supposed to heal faster but i dont know if thats true or he just said that. The donjoy knee braces are amazing but if your like me youll feel super constrained and eventually work out of it.

 

[Amebix]

my first though was cadaver. But then even though the percentages are low obviously the body can reject it and or other things like hepatitis ect. As extremely low as those possibilities are I dont even wanna play the odds.

I normally wouldn't gamble on something like that myself, but my doc had good credentials, so I trusted him. It's been almost 3 years and no complaints so far. Having some dead guy's Achille's tendon inside me made me think of that movie "Body Parts", where the guy ends up taking on the personality of the guy he got an arm transplant from.

 

[goin on 4T]

I am in my 40's and 1.5 years ago I had ACL surgery. Go with the cadavor, I have not heard of Drs using quads in a long time plus the surgury distroys or dibilitates another part of your body. No need for that. You are not in your 20's.
I hope whatever you choose your recovery goes well and quick!