Knee surgery

deadsolid...shank · February 25, 2011

Just got the call from the doc. Torn meniscus and ACL. All you knee surgery vets, tell me what to expect if you would. Is ACL now arthroscopic? I know it's a long rehab process, but can I still continue to play golf (I know hoops are out, guess it's time to act my age). Is this process outpatient.

Don't go to see the orthopedics till Tuesday, just trying to get an idea of what I'm in for.

Thanks

Gupps01 · February 27, 2011

Most knee ops are via scope now. ACL and meniscus is definitely scope as I've had two meniscus surgeries. For the rehab time, depending on what graft the ortho uses it could be 9-12 months to get back to full sporting activity, unless you use the new LARS ligament. Seen as you're in a brace for an extended period of time, anything but walking/rehab is out of the question. Be prepared to be bored out of your mind, in pain, uncoordinated when you take off the brace and to be very frustrated at times.

You should definitely be able to go back to golf post rehab, basketball though depends on your dedication to the rehab program and the quality of the surgeon

SprayNPrey · February 27, 2011

My lil bro just went through exactly what your asking about, torn ACL and MCL. He had surgery early Sept. and was cleared to play HS basketball Jan 15th. He had the graft from his hamstring, rehab'd 3x a week and all is good now. He said his hammy hurt more than his knee after the surgery. Its amazing, I can remember back a few years ago people that tore their ACL were out for a year at least.

deadsolid...shank · February 28, 2011

Thanks for the replies, it is amazing. Thats how I remember it, about 9-12 months for ACL rehab. I'm really not concerned now with being able to play ball again (although playing with my son as been one of my favorite things, I will miss that) but rather with being able to walk and maybe run straight so I can continue to work out and obviously play golf.

SOONERMAGIC · February 28, 2011

just played with a guy last week, and he was 6 weeks out of knee replacement, and was playing, not well, but playing....

PAAL · February 28, 2011

Had the same thing done last November in my left knee. A couple of years of dealing with it was enough. It was outpatient and done with the hamstring graft. Everything feels fine, but I really wouldn't want to come through on that leg quite yet. Just make sure you really do the rehab if you do it. I've kept up with the program pretty good, but the quad still isn't 100%. Doc says no pivoting sports for 6 months from surgery, so I'm looking at the first part of May till I'm back playing. Didn't get to hit up any simulators this winter, but won't miss much of outside playing this spring at least.

dbloom136 · February 28, 2011

I had 2 ACL surgeries before high school, I am 27 now and played high school and college basketball and still play pick up once a week. Knee surgery so much more advanced than it used to be and it will most likely be outpatient. I lost a little bit of my vertical, but after 6 months of rehab i was good to go. its been over 10 years since i had my surgery and i am sure in that time it has gotten even better.

deadsolid...shank · February 28, 2011

I really appreciate all the responses. Sounds like the consensus is is that's a long process. I think I'm going to see if I can put off having it fixed until late in the fall (if that's something that is even feasable). I hope that is a possiblilty, guess I'll know tomorrow morning. Thanks again everyone.

PAAL · March 1, 2011

It is feasible to put it off. I dealt with mine for a couple of years before I had the surgery. The knee would get a little sore and I didn't do any running or things like that, but for normal everyday activities it was fine.

deadsolid...shank · March 1, 2011

After the visit this morning I'm not decided yet. The doc said as long as it's not causing too much pain and does't feel too unstable I can probably get away with putting the surgery off for a while. Sounds like I can still run and play golf for a while anyway, but when it gets too painful or loose I'll have to get it taken care of.

The procedure for ACL replament sounds gruesome.

deadsolid...shank · September 24, 2011

Well, its over and done, and I'm simply amazed. Went in for surgery on Sept 7th and walked out on the 8th. Stitches out this last Thursday. Apparently the miniscus was not completly torn so I didn't have the brace on very long. Basically just kept it wrapped for a week or so.

Doing rehab now three times a week which is proving to be by far the most painful aspect of the entire process. Doc now says two months for golf (just in time for the snow to fall). Had I known that timeframe, I wouldn't have missed this terrific fall weather we're having and would have postponed the surgery a month or so. But water under the bridge.

By the way, it was a donor allo graft.

I appreciate all the informative responses. It helped to have an idea what the docs were talking about.