Walking after ACL recon

[talia09]

Hey!
I had an ACL reconstruction 3 weeks ago, and am still walking with a really noticeable limp. I'm a sportsperson and I've definitely noticed that my quad muscles have wasted away, and this wouldn't be helping, but does everyone think I should be walking better by now? My physio said I should work on strengthening my quads even more and I have been doing so...but I still feel like my whole leg is really weak when walking; almost as if there is no strength in my knee or leg at all. Is this a normal feeling 3 weeks post-op? I'm probably just being impatient, because all I want to do is get back to my netball. That's a long way away though!!

Thanks

[Darko]

Try not to stress about it and follow the instructions from your PT. Everyone has different story to tell and I think is better not to compare with others. 3 weeks post-op is nothing, better get ready for a long ride. I had muscle wastage, massive swelling but no pain at all. I am almost 5 months post-op now, my muscles are better and my feet are itching to play sport again, but...

Trust me, the operation is the easier part.

Be patient, excersize and good luck.

[Lac]

Yes I think it's very individual too. I'm two and a half weeks post ACL op and also still have a limp. I find that trying to walk properly is easier if you are moving slowly though rather than trying to move along at too fast a pace. Try not to get into the 'straight leg swing' habit like I did! Someone else I know who had an ACL reconstruction was limping for about a month I think so it can take awhile.

[kike]

dont worry about the limp, im six months out from acl reco, i had one too,your physio will give you weight bearing exercises to eliminate that and remember that you have at least 12 months of rehab, im the same im frustrated i just want to play soccer!

[Unknown]

Anyone have any incidents where you get a bit worried that you've damaged the graft? I'm only 3 weeks post ACL surgery and a few days ago I slipped a little on the pedals on my cycle on the trainer and again today I twisted it slightly while walking. Nothing major but caused a bit of a twinge and made me worry. I hope I'm not as paranoid about it as time goes on! Guess I'll just have to wait until the surgeon is able to test it to see if my laxity has improved before I feel happy that it's been successful!

[talia09]

I completely understand what you mean about worrying about damaging the graft, cos I'm at about exactly the same stage as you post-op and I'm absolutely paranoid that I'm 'damaging it' or 're-injuring it'. Especially when I accidentally hit my leg against my bed..lol I freaked out. I don't think there's much we can do though. But if there's anything to make you feel a little better, my surgeon and physio have both said that at this particular stage it is definitely strong enough to do normal daily activities, walk around etc. Just to avoid any lifting, twisting or jumping. I reckon it's going to take ages for me to not worry though!!! Goodluck with everything.

[kike]

its normal to feel paranoid about tearing the graft, im six months out and still worry when i feel a pinch in the knee, you just have to be careful though in the transition period when the tendon chages into a ligament.

[Alla]

Hee hee..... been there and felt exactly the same!

I fell down a flight of stairs (well, fell up them actually) at 10 days post op. Was devastated, and got such a fright that it put me back a bit in my rehab. Did no damage to the graft though, and was told that the graft is actually stronger hten it was before, but just to be way more careful.

I was still limping quite a time after my ACLR, but now Im about 13-14 months post op and you cant tell that I have had anything done. I do notice that when I run for long distances I begin to limp as my leg fatigues though..... but hopefully that will go as I get fitter and stronger. I lost loads of quad muscle as well, and can fully understand your desire to get back into netball..... I was cleared 2 months ago to play again, but Im also currently 7 months pregnant...... so I have to wait a bit longer! It is frustrating! But you will get there

Alla

[talia09]

Thanks! Yeah I've got about 11 months to go until I can even think about getting cleared to play netball again. Did you become more confident about playing again as you became closer to being cleared? Because right now I'm even getting worried watching my own teammates jump and land, thinking they'll do the same thing. Probably sounds a bit drastic, but its going to be a big mental challenge getting back I guess. Also, when you go back, have u been advised to wear a brace or strapping of any sort? I saw Liz Ellis play last Friday night; and she's only 10 months or so down the track from her recon yet doesn't have a thing on her knee at all!! All the best.

[Alla]

Yeah, there was a time when I felt I'd never play again..... but I found after 3 months my knee became better in leaps and bounds. It was just slow to start with. Jumping and landing still scares me a bit as I havent tried it much yet, and I fear that I've lost my elevation (I had a 75cm vertical leap before injury!) but Im sure that I'll get there. I watched my old team play on the weekend and was beside myself cos I wanted to play, and knee wise I feel that I can play, pregnancy wise I cant.

My OS has said that if I need to brace it, then I've not done the rehab properly. I've played tennis on it earlier in the year (8 months post op) without a brace and it was fine. I've not used a brace at all. My OS said that if I wanted to use a brace for the mental side of it then go ahead, but just dont spend big $$ on one because you shouldnt have to. My PT has said to me in the past that braces and strapping are of no use if you are really going to injure the joint properly (knee or ankle).... most times they are for mental reassurance, and I figure if that is what makes you happy then go for it..... but with my knee I found the brace more annoying then anything else and havent bothered with it at all.

Alla