Wanting to hear positive cruciate ligament (human) stories

[Almostalwayshappy]

Apologies for the shameless AIBU post for traffic, but I would love to hear your positive stories of recovery from cruciate ligament damage. Sitting in an apartment in France after injuring my cruciate ligament skiing. Stretchered off the mountain as I felt my knee 'pop' when I fell and couldn't weight bear, ambulance to medical centre where I was told I had torn/snapped my cruciate ligament (think this is also known as ACL). Had an X-ray and told to get an MRI on return to UK to decide on treatment options, but the doctor said i would probably need surgery. My leg is in a brace and I am using crutches. Told to ice and elevate. Pain under control with strong paracetamol and ibruprofen. Sleeping well. I am very lucky the apartment has a walk-in shower and we are driving not flying (home on Sunday). This is day 3 after the injury and I have been ok up 'til now. Today I am tearful. I am 56 and very active - yoga, walking, riding and need to drive for work (I have been told I can't drive obviously)). I am self-employed and can take the financial hit, but am struggling with how long the rehab will be, especially if I need surgery. Like most people who are usually active, my mental health takes a dive when I can't exercise and exercise helps so much with my menopause symptoms. I tried chair yoga yesterday, which was OK. I'd really welcome your positive stories of recovery from cruciate ligament injury and any suggestions about how I might prepare for surgery. I have private medical Insurance. Thanks for reading.

My husband tore his ACL in 2018 in pretty much exactly the same way as you did. He had to wait for the swelling to go down from the initial injury during which time he was on crutches, then he had an operation (they did a graft from elsewhere in his leg, don't remember where exactly) - he was in hospital for about 4 days, his leg was in a splint which was adjusted daily. After the OP he had to wait about another 4 weeks for the swelling etc to settle down, and he was on crutches during that time. He had physio twice a week to start either them once a week for almost a year. He says it feels pretty normal to him these days, and he has gone back to hiking and cycling, but football and running not, because he's reluctant to risk injury again. He does ski though!

Some people choose not to get the operation but they you are very limited in the sort of exercise you can do as yout knee won't bear your weight if you move sideways.

@Anycrispsleft Thanks for sharing your husband's story. That's really encouraging. Just absorbing the fact it won't be a quick fix .

It's really good that you have private medical insurance - even here in Switzerland, my DH had to insist that he wanted the surgery, because the GP was trying to convince him that he might be better off living with a wobbly leg "given his age" - 45 at the time!

Aw OP, you poor thing! No it won't be a quick fix I'm afraid but the operation is usually very successful if supported by physio for recovery.

It sounds like you are in decent nick otherwise and that gives you an advantage. As long as you attend physio, do your exercises as often as advised, use your splints etc. and nourish yourself properly, you will be doing the best you can to make recovery quicker and easier.

FWIW, the captain of my football team tore his ACL a couple of years ago. During last night's match, the pundit said he was 'back to his best'. I'm sure you'll be back to your best too and I wish you a speedy, uncomplicated op and rehab.

My DH has torn both ACLs, both time when skiing as well. Get yourself to a good surgeon to evaluate, and also look for a knowledgeable physio. You might not need an op. DH had operations both times, but recovery was straightforward- but he worked really hard for it both times (because, guess what, he wanted to go skiing again...). The important thing is/was to make sure that your leg muscles are strong enough to support the damaged ACL, so keep up the exercising (you will need to adjust, but it's possible). My DH ran the London Marathon with a torn ACL before he had his first operation!
Good luck with it!

My Son tore his aged 18 playing football had private ACL surgery, unfortunately it didn’t take and he needed further surgery some 6 months after, which has worked, but recovery was longer and extensive sports physio for around 10 months.

Whatever you do, make sure you do your physio. That’s the most important part of your recovery.

I tore my ACL and partially dislocated my knee in 1982. Treatment then was 6 weeks in a full-length plaster cast. I had no problems whatsoever afterwards, once I'd got the knee joint moving properly again, which took a couple of weeks, although I was told by the surgeon that I should never even think of skiing.

I got arthritis in that knee in my late 50s, but I've got it in the other one now, too, so possibly unconnected with the injury.

Had an acl snap and flick up between knee joint about 30 years ago
had op straight away to remove
never went back for the 2nd op which was to replace ligament from else where it’s been fine

Sorry to hear about your ACL OP. A lot of people in the UK who aren’t sports professionals choose not to have the op. A lot of physio and then gym work can keep your leg strong and well supported. Some op recoveries are worse than the injury. Find a good surgeon and physio on return to the UK and let them advise you. I have known a number of people this has happened to and while the first couple of months are very hard once you start recovery, it will be noticeable and life get back to normal. Good luck.

ACL complete tear mid 30s and I had to beg to get surgery as they wanted to fob me off with some physio but that would have left me unable to work (sports related) as I needed to be able to run.

Injury May, surgery Aug and I was signed off from NHS physio as soon as I could manage a walk / gentle jog and wish I had pushed for more or paid for private as although physically ok I had lost a lot of confidence in running/ jumping / anything twisty.

A decade on and I've run a few halfs and one marathon and mostly I don't think about it although I can't/ don't do any yoga that requires me to kneel back with my bum on my feet and I don't ski/ skate/ slackline because I worry about repeating the injury. I get some aches that I suspect are the beginnings of OA but whether due to the injury or just from being hard on my knees I'm not sure!

Thanks to all of you for taking the time to reassure me. It sounds very 'poor me' to be frightened of not being able to do yoga or ski or ride, even for a few months, when there are other activities I can do. Yoga, skiing and horses (and walking!) are such big parts of my life and I'm still a bit shocked a very silly and non-dramatic fall could have caused so much damage. I won't know the extent of it until I am referred for the MRI (insurer won't refer me while I am still abroad and not back until Sunday) so trying not to catastrophise. Your stories have helped such a lot. Seems physio is the key to a good recovery (and maybe laying off the almond croissants I've been comfort eating!). I heard a phrase the other day that I've been thinking of...'you are living the dream'. I am in a lovely apartment with family and friends, have the means to access a choice of healthcare and physio and, although I have had to a cancel a work project, my standard of living won't be affected by taking some time out. It's not a great situation, but something good will come out of it all I am sure.

I did exactly what you describe 9 years ago (also sobbed on day 3!). Came home and had MRI which confirmed ACL rupture, saw ortho consultant who recommended physio led knee 'pre-hab' weekly classes and then reassessment to see if ACL reconstruction surgery would be necessary. After 12 weeks of pre-hab my knee was sufficiently stable to avoid surgery and I returned to skiing following year and have been most years since (Covid permitting). I'm back to gym and am completely unlimited exercise wise. The only time I notice my knee is when running in soft sand when I'm aware of slight joint instability but I can live with that!
I would recommend finding a good physio class and doing the exercise religiously. Think there are some published studies now suggesting better outcomes with rehab than reconstructive surgery in uncomplicated ACL injuries.

Good luck and don't despair

I was also lucky to have had access to automatic car at the time and it was my left knee so I could still drive whilst in the knee brace

I can give you hope OP! I have ruptured my ACLs three times, and had four meniscus tears too. The ruptured and then reruptured one ACL when I was young: I had an extraarticular repair (which is no longer done now) first and then hamstring tendon repair when that one didn’t work. Then, in my mid forties I did the other one, along with both meniscuses. All of them were skiing. I really struggled with the idea that I had to go through the rehab again and that I would never ski again. But, I took it seriously and did get through it. I had a hamstring tendon reconstruction and a meniscus suture 2
months after my injury. I was on the indoor bike 2 weeks post injury (pain!) and on the road at 4 weeks. I starting running 6 months post op, and was back skiing one year later. Physio is so important, and physio before the operation sets you up better for the recovery. But also pick your surgeon if you have that possibility: not just a knee surgeon but an ACL specialist. Mine operated using a spinal block rather than general anaesthetic, which eases the early recovery. If you do the physio meticulously and have a physio whose aim is to get you to full fitness and not just “better” you can do this!

@LakeFlyPie @treesgrowtall Thank you both for taking the time to tell me your stories. The French doctor I saw was quite gloomy (or maybe it was just the language barrier). Every year, I give a little 'thank you' to the heavens for completing a ski week with no injury after seeing others stretchered off - and this year my luck ran out. Trying really hard not to put a downer on the holiday for everyone else, but anxious about managing at home. We have a downstairs loo, but our bedroom and bathroom are up to two flights of stairs so think it'll be the sofa and strip washes at the kitchen sink for me for a while. How did you manage? I have an automatic car too, but have injured my right leg so driving isn't possible. The advice about finding an ACL specialist and physio is really encouraging. It'd be wonderful to avoid surgery. I had thought that would mean I wouldn't be able to ski again so it's great to read that isn't necessarily the case. Thanks again. I'm so grateful for the support I have received here.

I tore my ACL 12 years ago aged 38. I had surgery where they took from my hamstring to reconstruct. I found the recovery frustrating because like you, I'm very active and have a horse! I had 2 x physio a week and once the staples were out and my wounds had healed I started to walk in the pool at my gym. I remember someone saying to me that "you are responsible for your own recovery" and that really spurred me on.
Since then I've also had cartilage repaired in the same knee (water skiing accident) and honestly I am always in some degree of low level pain in that knee but it doesn't stop me from doing anything. I'm mindful of not doing anything too impactive but can ride, gym, yoga and swim with no issues.
Good luck 🤞

I tore my ACL skiing, I opted for an artificial replacement (LARS graft), the whole process with surgery, recovery took about 6 months. I did the injury in the northern winter (February) and was skiing again by the southern winter (August). I can’t say it’s as strong as it was before but it really only bothers me walking up and down stairs in high heels.

Some years later my ex husband tore his and opted to not have it surgically repaired. He saw a sports medicine doctor, as well as ortho surgeons, so got some alternative opinions. He’s a very keen cyclist though so has very strong leg muscles to compensate. He doesn’t run any more but does everything else he used to, golf, etc. He’s in the USA skiing right now. So surgery isn’t always the right course, there are a lot of pro athletes still out there competing with unrepaired ACL tears.

@Austrianmilk Glad to hear you made such a good recovery. I had a bad fall from a bolting and bucking 18h Shire three years ago and that really knocked my confidence. Now my ACL. It's hard not to think: 'I'm getting too old for all this!'. (I'm 56). The price we pay for dangerous sports, eh? Really encouraged you are back to doing the things you love and will take your lead as far as responsibility for recovery goes.

@Lostsadandconfused Thanks for your reply. So interesting you and your ex went for different treatment options. I'll hopefully see an orthopaedic consultant next week. It's really painful and swollen tonight (Day 3) so I'm still awake at 1am researching ACL treatments. I'll feel very silly (and relieved) if the MRI shows the damage is less than the doctor here expects. I'm in denial I think. Knowing you were skiing again so soon is really encouraging.

Hi OP, I had a complete ACL tear of my right knee summer 2022, aged 52 after a car accident (unusual, it is normally a sporting accident). 2 weeks off work and then gradually got back to a fairly physical job, but could not fully resume the range of things I needed to do. Had an MRI to confirm and the referred to a consultant who had a protocol of trying 6 months physio rehab first before assessing surgery needs, especially for over 50's. Over 50, joints are generally less flexible meaning they can be stable despite the lack of acl and not need surgery. However I am hyper mobile and remained unstable despite physio. Due to it being right leg I had never regained enough stability to be able to do an emergency stop so had been unable to resume driving - this and other work related needs meant this was not sufficient recovery for me. After 6 months assessed as suitable/needing surgery and put on list. I got the reconstructive surgery about a year after the injury, this was done with a graft from my hamstring. I had about 3 weeks off work following surgery. Surgery went really well, and recovery has been very good. I am still working with a physio now on rehab to get back to full range and for my job, but have been able to resume a lot of activity already. You have to careful post surgery, initially the graft is strong, but weakens over the following 2-3 months as it dies off. Your body gradually grows new cells and establishes new blood supplies and the graft then strengthens over the months following surgery. So about 3 months after surgery you feel better but the graft is at its weakest so you must follow the physio regimes very carefully to protect the graph while it embeds. So as previous posters have said, following the physio regimes is key. My mom is a retired physio and gave me invaluable advice before I managed to see NHS physios at the very start when I had first injured it, which I do think has really helped recovery. Definitely icing, keeping raised to try to reduce swelling and inflammation. If you are able to take ibuprofen, this was advised to me to help with inflammation (I unfortunately could not take it due to asthma). It is really important to try and get/keep your quads going. Try to squeeze them/tighten them several times a day right from now as much as you are able - injury to the knee shocks the quads and they can stop working, getting going again is key. This will really help recovery regardless of the route you go down. And you can do this while sitting with it raised, it will help whatever the issue is. When and if able, gently straighten and bend the knee as you can (you may of course want to wait for diagnosis before you try this, I started straight away and it was then what the physio advised anyway once I got to them, but I had got a head start). Everyone, physios, consultants etc said to me that the more you can regain as full range of motion as you can the better all outcomes. If getting surgery, it is better to have surgery after regaining range of motion as this leads to better outcomes. Follow all of the physio you can get, this really will give the best outcomes. I hope you can get diagnostic scans and treatment as soon as you get can get home. Try to stay positive, you can recover if you follow all of the physio advice! Best wishes to you with your recovery, it is hard if you are active to get stopped in your tracks by injury.

@Turningupsidedown You have really been through the mill and I appreciate all your advice. I will get my quads moving! I am hyper mobile too (which I stupidly thought might protect me from this sort of injury). I am certainly struggling with the thought of being less active. It's very much part of my identity and I'm telling myself slowing down for a while doesn't make me less me. I'm the one who looks after other people...and I find relying on others very hard. Sure I'll learn something from the experience. Everything you write is really useful. Thank you. Hope you continue to make a good recovery.

Just like you, first morning of ski trip. Experienced skier but I fell over, ski came off, as it is meant to do. DH shouted at me to hurry up, so instead of clearing all the snow off my boot I forced it into the bindings. Fell over again but of course because of the rammed snow under my boot the bindings didn’t release and the ski twisted taking my leg with it and I felt the horrible pop you mentioned. DH told me to stop making a fuss, get up and I’d be fine. When I stood up my leg bent from left to right, no stability at all. All his fault of course nevertheless we are still married 40 plus years on.

So pisteurs with their sledge took me to the clinic. Plastered up and sent back to our chalet. Insurers were very good, booked me three seats on the plane so I could stretch out.

Surgeon back at home said they would mange it ‘conservatorily’, meaning no surgery, six weeks in plaster, just physio and exercise so the muscles would take over the work of the ACL.

I was under the impression that the ACL was stretched but not ruptured, until several years later it was Xrayed for an unrelated issue and I was surprised to be told I had no ACL at all, not even a weedy stretched elastic one,

However the accident had been in the February and I was skiing again in December that year and kept skiing for many years until I was 72,

So fingers crossed that you will be equally lucky.

No ACL experience here but hello from a French mountain maybe not too far from yours!

Are you non-weight-bearing or weight bearing as tolerated? I think if you are fit and the pain is managed you should be able to manage stairs. It's one of the things a physio can help with, but in the meantime, this is what I was taught: go one stair at a time. Going up, go good leg first. Hold the banister on one side and the crutches in the other hand (or get someone to carry the second one). Step up with your good leg, leaving minimal or no weight on your bad leg and taking the weight with the crutch/banister. Then bring your bad leg up to join the good one. If possible get someone to put a chair on the first landing so you can have a rest! Going down, same thing, but bad leg first, along with the crutch. It will be worth it to get a good sleep in your own bed! (Veteran of three ankle surgeries, need a total ankle replacement but keep putting it off! I managed stairs after my first surgery, after which I was NWB - unexpectedly as it turned out more serious than I expected. And I wasn't very fit or prepared!)