Has anyone riden the same season they had ACL reconstruction? I just had surgery mid October, and am wondering if I will be able to do any riding this winter??
Riding post ACL reconstruction
- Thread starter boozelady
- Start date
been there done that last year. I had mine done July and was riding in November. Its a tuff road to go and had to wear a sports brace for first few rides but overall the sled is good PT for your knee. It will be tiring but keep riding it was the best thing for my recovery after my PT was done.
Be careful! Follow the advice of your surgeon and PT. Personally, I wouldn't ride for 4-6 months. This means you might get some Spring riding. The biggest concern is about the time the knee starts to feel somewhat normal, about 8-10 weeks post-op., the reconstructed ACL is in the middle of a remodelling stage and is at its' weakest. This is only about 30% normal ACL strength, meaning high potential for retearing or stretching the graft. Either way, the knee will either become chronically unstable, or you will need the surgery again. Not worth the risks....IMHO.
But, as I tell my patients, I can't care more about their knee than they do!
But, as I tell my patients, I can't care more about their knee than they do!
^^^^^What he said, take time^^^^^, get your strength up, it's not fun riding half assed trying to protect your knee anyways and the last thing you wanna do is go through this again.
I've blown the ACL and LCL in my left knee, and each one had it's own healing pattern. ACL was back in the early 90's and I took a full year off and missed an entire season since I went under the knife in November, that and medical technology wasn't as good as now. By the following year I was raring to go after a lot of serious theraphy. I eased back in and made careful judgements on how much to push it. Ride with people who are understanding and won't bitch you out for wanting to take a short ride.
I've blown the ACL and LCL in my left knee, and each one had it's own healing pattern. ACL was back in the early 90's and I took a full year off and missed an entire season since I went under the knife in November, that and medical technology wasn't as good as now. By the following year I was raring to go after a lot of serious theraphy. I eased back in and made careful judgements on how much to push it. Ride with people who are understanding and won't bitch you out for wanting to take a short ride.
Had an ACl repair in the early 90s as well and missed a season. Remember that your original ACL was not strong enough to withstand whatever you did to it, but the replacement is overbuilt. That being said, it needs time to "learn" how to be a ligament, not a tendon (assuming that you had hamstring graft or patella graft).
I say if your done with all PT can doo for yah then get out there with a sports brace on and sled. Thats what doc told me and yes I was timid and shy of doing anything crazy for a while but truth was after a few rides it was like the next level of PT that they couldnt provide.
ACL done in January and still rode a few times in Northern Utah. Wore my adjustable brace and torn the side of my seat up
I was careful and was not wild, but still got out. I was in good condition and 37 at the time. Worked very hard at PT because I had a 60 mile week long pack trip in June that year.
You will have to decide how you feel and make sure your therapist/doctor give their advice. My Therapist wondered why I came in for a session and was stiff and sore. I told her I was snowmobiling and she said how could that make you stiff and sore, all you do is sit down and ride around a field.
I was careful and was not wild, but still got out. I was in good condition and 37 at the time. Worked very hard at PT because I had a 60 mile week long pack trip in June that year.
You will have to decide how you feel and make sure your therapist/doctor give their advice. My Therapist wondered why I came in for a session and was stiff and sore. I told her I was snowmobiling and she said how could that make you stiff and sore, all you do is sit down and ride around a field.
I tore my acl racing motocross and chose not to get it fixed mostly because I didn't want to miss any races or snowmobiling. I threw on a set of asterik braces and haven't looked back yet. That happened over a year ago. I was racing the next week. As long as I have the braces on, my knee feels great. Without is another story. From other people that have been fixed up, I would say follow the doctors orders or you will be back at square 1.
Mid October surgery? You aren't ready yet. What kind of shape was the leg before the surgery? Did you get the muscles as strong as possible? Do your rehab. Its hard not to push too hard at first, but take it easy and let the ligamant learn its new job. And always wear the damn brace!! I know its a pain but its better than tearing things up again. Be patient you've got lots of riding left to do. (I've had 5 knee reconstructions.. yes I said 5) Needless to say, there's nothing left to rebuid. I'm 55 and have been paying for my stupidity for almost 30 years. Do the rehab and wear the brace. Good luck!!
Just work that knee every other day, Starting about 7-10 days after surgury.It will take a good 90-100 days if your in good shape to get back out there. If your not it's a 6 month ordeal. Get your doctor to scan the shape of your knee and have him get you the best brace with the adjustable stops in it. They work and fit very well and you can sled like your not wearing one. The name of mine is a Townsend and is made out of carbon fiber and is very light. Your knee will tell you when you are ready, so don't push it.
Marty
Marty
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