Walking after ACL recon

[narellekv]

Talia, I am now 9 months post op and have been training for about the last month. Yes I feel unstable, especially when jumping. I just do what I think I can. I don't push it, although very frustrating. Your mind tells you to do things but unfortunately your body just won't let you. There is this little person that goes off in your mind that says 'not to do anymore'. I worry every day that I will never feel confident again, although everyone assures me this is not the case. I guess time will tell.

[lac]

Does anyone know when the surgeon or doctor can check the laxity in your knee to determine whether the operation has been a success?
I was told by my surgeon that my ACL reconstruction was successful right after surgery but I don't think I'll feel that it's successful or that I'm ready to play until I'm able to see from the surgeons tests that the laxity in my knee has improved.
I'm only 4 weeks post surgery and recovery and physio is going well but my knee feels more unstable than pre surgery when walking around. Hopefully this is just a matter of building the muscle tone back up over the next few months.

[Joanna]

All the best Talia, make sure you keep us updated on your progress! Two of Australia's best netballers, Liz Ellis and Mo'onia Gerrard have made largely successful returns from a knee reco to date, Ellis in particular was back playing at the elite level after 5 months (no strapping or anything) and at this stage is playing better than she was before her injury. Just goes to show that with the power of the mind, anything can be achieved!

I'm a netballer who snapped my ACL 15 years ago, and the procedure was alot different and more archaic than it was now. Now treatment and rehab seems alot less conservative. All the best!

[Joanna]

Oh, and just remember, doubts about your ability to return are only normal! Liz Ellis has said since her comeback that everyday while she was doing her rehab, she feared that she would never make it back. I think confidence is the key. I remember another international netballer, Alison Broadbent, tore her ACL a good 10 years ago. When she first returned she was nervous about doing it again, and subsequently tore her other ACL not long after (I'm a netball geek). If you worry about re-injuring yourself, chances are, you probably will! A confident attitude is the best attitude to take onto the court, and you will be fine.

Again, best of luck with your progress!

[had enough]

It has been 10 weeks since my surgery and you will come along in leaps and bounds in no time. I was devastated by my injury up untill about 3 weeks ago. I couldnt see the light at the end of the tunnel. In a few weeks you will be amased how much progress you have made.
I do also watch other people playing sport and cringe at how they land or faal. I think everyone is going to do their knee. So much of the recovery period is keeping mentally positive. The rest is time and patience.
Good luck!!

[talia09]

Thanks guys for your posts. Yeah I'm the same where lately everytime I watch AFL or netball or any sport, and I see someone go down injured I automatically think, 'Oh no, they've done their knee.' I'm now about 6 weeks post-op and I'm feeling a little better because I'm more active now, and can do basic gym exercises. For me I havent really seen the light at the end of the tunnel yet to tell u the truth but hopefully will come along in the next month or so.

[kjwilkin]

Does anyone know when the surgeon or doctor can check the laxity in your knee to determine whether the operation has been a success?
I was told by my surgeon that my ACL reconstruction was successful right after surgery but I don't think I'll feel that it's successful or that I'm ready to play until I'm able to see from the surgeons tests that the laxity in my knee has improved.
I'm only 4 weeks post surgery and recovery and physio is going well but my knee feels more unstable than pre surgery when walking around. Hopefully this is just a matter of building the muscle tone back up over the next few months.

Hi there,

In regards to the laxity of your knee, that's something I would speak to your specialist about.

I had a patello-femoral ligament reconstruction about 8 years and it did take a while for the knee to build up. At the end of last year I had an operation to fine tune it. Mine feels so much better than pre surgery now. I reckon it took a good few months for my quads to build up. Everyone is individual as it depends how quickly your quads build up. You just have to be patient.

Hang in there and good luck !

[dj NU]

i had ACL surgery two weeks back and i started walking yesterday. my operated leg still feels funny but because of regular exercises i feel my leg getting stronger. Due to the brace i still have to walk straight legged and that is giving me a limp now. but i hope that once i walk without a brace my walk will be normal. i just wanted to know if there is any specific form or way in which i should walk right now to make sure that i dont have a problem later on. Thank you