Just had ACL reconstruction yesterday. I'm hoping I can start the new Rip'd with Hiit series mid February. Scared to death I'll put on alot of weight between now and then so I'm really going to watch my diet. I'll be doing upper body workouts and cardio as directed by PT (mostly biking with running around month 3 I think). Has anyone had experience with this surgery and the recovery time? My husband also just had the surgery (3 weeks ago) but he heals super fast and I can't compare myself to him. Right now in some pain and tightness, taking pain pills, and hobbling about.
ACL reconstruction
- Thread starter bchgrl40
- Start date
maddiesmum
Cathlete
I don't have experience with this I m afraid, but this is a major tear of the lower body and you want to make sure you take the healing and recovery slowly. Don't be tempted to ever do more than the PT advises: while you may know your body, he or she knows the injury type and what the healing process involves. Best of luck and see you on here with your comments on Ripped with HiiT later in the New Year. Personally, I am always at least 6 months behind everybody else: I am only just now getting familiar the the LIS and Xtrain series, have only just started playing with some of the STS workouts and still have yet to do the Butts & Guts/Body Max 2 ones that came out yonks ago. So, you see, there's just no rush!
Clare
Clare
desertambrosia
Cathlete
Best wishes for you!! I personally have not had this surgery, however several skiing friends have had ACL Reconstruction. Just as Clare stated take it easy, listen to your PT. Never do more. It will take awhile, but the workouts, and the forum will still be here. Keep in touch, let us know of your progress. Best of luck!!
garance
Cathlete
One of my sons tore one ACL in high school playing basketball and then did it again 10 years later in a men's basketball league. He is a very good athlete--varsity goalkeeper soccer at Gettysburg his last three years and a personal trainer for about 4 years after college. He felt "pretty" good after 6 mos., but says it really took a year for full recovery on the first ACL surgery, and 10 years later, he similarly feels like the recovery of full flexibility is a lengthy process. The PT is pretty extensive, so I bet you will feel like you are working out when you do it. Good luck!
Kathy G
Cathlete
I had acl reconstruction using an allograft in 2006. I had pt for 4 or 5 months and I told them I wanted to run again. They worked with me to meet this goal and I was running again by the time I finished pt. I have to say it took about a year to get the strength back that I lost though and my knee will always feel a little different but I think that happens with all surgeries. You should be back to enjoying your Cathe dvds in a few months. Take it easy coming back and you'll be great. 
malibugirl
Member
I had this surgery in 2009 with a graft. I did lots of "pre-hab" before surgery, built my leg muscles up like never before. I finished physical therapy in three months and was released to slowly begin workouts. I did have to wait 6 months to water ski and do plyometrics but I felt good at five months and cheated. It did take a full year to fully recover, but it has never slowed me down.
I did stop doing so much step work as my surgeon told me I had no cartilage left in my knee. He showed me the pictures from surgery of my knee and it is pretty dismal looking. A recumbent bike was the best purchase I made, it helped in my recovery tremendously plus helped keep the weight off.
Good luck and don't let the rehab scare you. It was not as bad as everyone said it would be. Just my two cents worth.
I did stop doing so much step work as my surgeon told me I had no cartilage left in my knee. He showed me the pictures from surgery of my knee and it is pretty dismal looking. A recumbent bike was the best purchase I made, it helped in my recovery tremendously plus helped keep the weight off.
Good luck and don't let the rehab scare you. It was not as bad as everyone said it would be. Just my two cents worth.
Traildoggie
Cathlete
I had this surgery in about 2005... I got on a stationary bike ( very carefully) in less than 48 hours post surgery. this is not meant as a challenge!.. we are all different. I'm probably way older ... 55 at the time. also I had been without an ACL for several years so didn't lose it in a recent traumatic accident I was quite functional without one. this varies all over the map. we're all strung together differently.
I was not in much discomfort after surgery so I rode carefully for a little while.. 5-10 min.... with my surgeon's approval. He said "let pain and swelling be your guide" and I did. I used a stationary bike every day for increasing amounts of time before I got to PT.
I did PT for about 2 months after. I was hiking very carefully, very easy trails ...with a protective brace... in about a month..... this was more psychological than physical, but it helped mentally to be walking outside in the mountains. It helped me see I would recover.
I wore a knee brace when hiking or skiing for a full year after to be protective. I did NOT want to twist in a missed step and tear out the graft. It was hard to get back running but I took my time and made sure I didn't injure anything in the process.
It's kind of funny but with all the PT and focus, it became my dominant leg and is much stronger than the non surgery leg. Good luck and listen to your body and your surgeon and your therapist. the disks will still be waiting for you if it takes longer. Overdoing .... too much too soon .....can set you back, so be willing to take whatever time it takes.
I was not in much discomfort after surgery so I rode carefully for a little while.. 5-10 min.... with my surgeon's approval. He said "let pain and swelling be your guide" and I did. I used a stationary bike every day for increasing amounts of time before I got to PT.
I did PT for about 2 months after. I was hiking very carefully, very easy trails ...with a protective brace... in about a month..... this was more psychological than physical, but it helped mentally to be walking outside in the mountains. It helped me see I would recover.
I wore a knee brace when hiking or skiing for a full year after to be protective. I did NOT want to twist in a missed step and tear out the graft. It was hard to get back running but I took my time and made sure I didn't injure anything in the process.
It's kind of funny but with all the PT and focus, it became my dominant leg and is much stronger than the non surgery leg. Good luck and listen to your body and your surgeon and your therapist. the disks will still be waiting for you if it takes longer. Overdoing .... too much too soon .....can set you back, so be willing to take whatever time it takes.