ACL reconstruction

[ddraver]

Hi all,

When I next check this I'll be coming round from an ACL reconstruction.

I'm sure many of you have been through this, any tips??

One day we'll ski again!



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[Vt-Freeheel]

First tip would be to post in Gimp Central.

[TBS]

Actually the first step is to read the fucking stickies
Like this one
https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...HE-RIGHT-PLACE

[pfluffenmeister]

Agreed with the above.
And don't get behind on your pain meds when your nerve block wears off.

[ddraver]

I had not found the Gimp section yet...

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[k2skier112]

Agreed with the above.
And don't get behind on your pain meds when your nerve block wears off.

I hate oxycodone and went easy the day of, the next morning was hell...truth^^^

[nortonwhis]

Gimp Central!
But seriously, good luck. Go easy with meds if you have an addictive personality. Seen it put some people thru the wringer personally and its not fun.
Crush the rehab and you'll be good to go. Most people I know ended up in better shape, healthier eaters and loved getting back into things they hadn't done in ages.

[pfluffenmeister]

Regarding meds and addiction, I agree; stop using as soon as you can.
But post-op my cutter told me start them as soon as you can start to feel your foot, and them set an alarm (mine was every 4 hours) so you don't get behind the pain.

And then kick them to the curb ( and crush your rehab, I did funny walks up and down my driveway forever).
You'll be good, I skied (lightly) 6 months to the day after surgery.

[ddraver]

Thanks guys, had a good read of the gimp central during my sleepless night.

First experience with Oxy, i dont think they're spoiling me with them (insert Swiss German joke here).

Edit - just had the drains out - man that makes a difference!!

Edit edit - managed to convince them to stop giving me the Oxy and just have an ice pack instead - very proud of myself...

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[tintin5]

Good luck with your rehab. Work hard, and be patient. It takes time. Even for the pros. Some people get there faster, but for most it takes a year or two after surgery to return to the level where you were before your injury.


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[gregL]

Good call on quitting the oxy if you can handle it; I went 4 days on them and had a shitty time getting the flow going. Not sure what the equivalent in SUI is, but the DonJoy Iceman I used (recirculating icewater machine) was a big help for swelling.

Find a PT who understands what you want to achieve, and do what they say without fail - sometimes it's hard to believe them, "Really? Do that on one leg?" My guy is a skier and cyclist, and also knew when to back off for a few days. Like the others say, it takes a while, and your knee has its own timetable. Be patient, I overdid it a few times and set myself back each time.

My recovery went something like this: easy biking on smooth pavement @ 3.5 months, commuting ~100 miles per week at 5 months, skiing at 7 months (only on smooth groomers, turned DIN's down by 1), easy touring at 9 months. I'm currently at 11.5 months and pretty much doing everything, starting up on a hill/bumpy descents on the MTB and landing/bumps on skis still hurt. Estimate my strength in the repaired leg is at about 93%.

I would say that the advice I got from other veterans is pretty much on the mark so far - "You'll do everything OK the first year back, but you won't feel 100% - second season you won't even think about it" - hoping the last part holds true.

[ddraver]

I'm resigned to next season being focused on walking up rather than on hitting epic cliffs and straight lining Bec's.

Thinking of selling the big ass pow skis that did it and picking up some skimo race ones over summer...

Greg - think I've been lucky as it was a pull apart rather than a smash together so there is relatively little other damage but I will take onboard what you say and take it steady. 3 laps round the clinic on crutches already! Whoop, that's going on Strava!

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[gregL]

Greg - think I've been lucky as it was a pull apart rather than a smash together so there is relatively little other damage but I will take onboard what you say and take it steady.

Good call again. I tried to ski on it twice more (yes, once should have been enough) after blowing the ACL, subsequently tearing the MCL and damaging the meniscus on both sides. 1,000 gram boot and 1050 gram ski combination has been working well for me this spring; lighter is a little sketchy even with two good knees.

[ddraver]

yeah, i was walking and skinning before the Op (bit of a big guy so I have chunky thighs, which seemed to help) and skiing down very carefully so let's see!

A very cute physio has to teach me to do steps today!

[ddraver]

Consultant today was talking about skiing 6 months to 1 year after Op if I bought a 2500CHF brace...

I haven't seen anyone else mention that level of brace. Is this more for pro's desperate to get back as soon as possible?

(That's a whole new touring set up!!)

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[bobinch]

Consultant today was talking about skiing 6 months to 1 year after Op if I bought a 2500CHF brace...

I haven't seen anyone else mention that level of brace. Is this more for pro's desperate to get back as soon as possible?

(That's a whole new touring set up!!)

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Possibly. I just used the one they gave me in the hospital. Certainly helped from a psychological perspective. With a good op result and disciplined rehab there’s no reason you shouldn’t be skiing by start of next season. I had my op on 1st May 2018 and skinned up Mt Gele at the end of November. You’re welcome to the brace if you need one.

[XXX-er]

I talked at length to a ski bud about knee braces, I didnt even realize he had knee probs or wore a brace but he has had knee issues for decades but skis well, teaches skiing & tours.

He has 4 knee braces of various price & quality, sez he is probably going to drive 13hrs to Calgary to get a custom made brace which is gona cost twice what the 2500CHF will cost and he sez its all about the fit, putting the brace on and the brace staying put

I'm still waiting to hear from the surgeon NO idea when they will get back to doing surgery and i'm classed as not urgent, at least it doesnt hurt my knee brace buddy said if yer not hurting you are really lucky !

[k2skier112]

Consultant today was talking about skiing 6 months to 1 year after Op if I bought a 2500CHF brace...

I haven't seen anyone else mention that level of brace. Is this more for pro's desperate to get back as soon as possible?

(That's a whole new touring set up!!)

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My Ortho, a sports and shoulder/knee specialist doesn't recommend braces for skiing much anymore. If your knee is strong and you rehab properly, he didn't see much benefit. Skied about 15 times since my surgery this season with no brace. Landing about 2-3 foot drops with no pain and full control. Bumpy chattery conditions cause a little discomfort. 1 year surgery anniversary is May 3rd

[ddraver]

Yeah, that sounds more in line with what others are saying.

Next Winter will be an easy one (if it happens), By spring, I'll be able to be more adventourous.

Sounds acceptable under the circumstances. I suspect braces may be in my future but not while I'm still young (ahem)

Xxx-er, from what I've heard if you do it properly - snap it completely - there's not a lot of pain as there's nothing else to snap... I was lucky too, I had a month at least being able to get out and about a bit.

Thanks Everyone.

[k2skier112]

I heard 2 pops, complete tear. Only pain was from bone bruising. I got up and skied 6 more runs, then 3 days later at BBI19 I made about 10 runs on chair 2...BIG mistake.

[ddraver]

Wow, sugar!

I felt the pop but couldn't hear anything due to the clatter of ice and rocks that were hidden under the snow (and caused the fall. Bob - opening Cathedral Couloir, just below the little wind lip). Got up and 'skied' down but only with a lot of side slipping and traversing.

By the bottom my knee was a bit sore but both my calve muscles were screaming for 2 days!

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[XXX-er]

After the big pop I skied out on the run, easy right turn was ok, did an easy left, no support at all so went down instantly, the GF seen it from behind and thot oh shit .

so i slid it out on one ski to the bar, I haven't tried skiing and i really can't see any skiing being a good idea

A little biking is OK

the good news is that BC is 3 weeks ahead of Canada on Covid, the cases have peaked and we are on the DH side SO maybe they can open up surgeries I can get some !

[gregL]

My Ortho, a sports and shoulder/knee specialist doesn't recommend braces for skiing much anymore. If your knee is strong and you rehab properly, he didn't see much benefit. Skied about 15 times since my surgery this season with no brace. Landing about 2-3 foot drops with no pain and full control. Bumpy chattery conditions cause a little discomfort. 1 year surgery anniversary is May 3rd

My surgeon and PT were both in the same camp. Said if I applied myself to PT I should have a pretty good idea if I can ski and how hard to push it; brace is mostly for psychological support rather than physical. Congrats on your 1 year anniversary, mine is next week. Started skiing December 30th 2019, 29 days on snow so far doing pretty much everything (but bumps and chattery ice are not ideal). Touring has been good, the warmup before every run helps.

On the other hand, a friend who has the same doc has had repeated problems with more or less the same surgery going on 20 months and the surgeon ordered a fancy custom brace for him recently . . .

[m2711c]

seems that surgery ain’t the only option anymore…

“A torn ACL can heal itself, new study shows. Surgeons disagree.

The finding that surgery may not be needed for ACL injuries could redefine future treatment and suggests that the knee is more resilient than previously believed”


https://wapo.st/3XvDelP




of course the surgeons disagree.

[SoVT Joey]

PT is the most important part of rehab for sure. If you slack on that the problems will persist longer. I give a ton of credit to my knees doing as well as they are, to Iriponsnow for an awesome PT regiment.