Comments on: An impatient’s guide to Knee Surgery – Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction and Meniscus Tear

By: Harshad Oak

Harshad Oak — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 18:03:33 +0000

Thanks a lot for all the comments. Just added an Update for 24th July to the article.

Also do check out this page on Thera-Band exercises for ACL Tear http://j.mp/aUF6kM . Have found Theraband's an effective way for exercise without weights. Thera-Band is one brand, I suppose there would be similar bands available under different brand names.

By: Andy

Andy — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:59:32 +0000

Thanks Daniel,
Initially had same misdiagnosis from my Physio. She told me possibly a slight meniscus tear but at least no ACL tear or rupture. I was never convinced and didn't like her suggestion after regaining 98% extension and some strenght that i just go out here play my tennis and if I lock up or fall in pain she might recommend a specialist. Finally after pushing she consulted with another PT and they referrred me to a sports physio specialist and when I mentioned her diagnosis (after his rotaing the lower leg) he raised his eyebrows somewhat and had no hesitation recommending an MRI…..and that told the whole story of ruptured ACL and MRI tear with slight medial strain. problem here in NZ is that while all accidents are state funded (did it playing first game of soccer ever at 48) they are reticent to do the MRI due cost.

Anyway sitting here after hamstring graft yesterday and doing a bit of surfing to see if my suggested rehab programme ties in with others. Have cyro cuff and keep leg elevated and doing recommended exercises when i can. Pain fortunately very manageable, tried avoiding the painkillers but have succombed. Slept like a baby first night home after day surgery…hope same again tonight. That may well change,

By: Nikhil Jain

Nikhil Jain — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:18:31 +0000

@ Harshad…Dude i have xactly the same prob….Got my knee twisted while playing cricket…didnt get knee operated for next 10 yrs….coz of pressure on another knee ( Left knee this time)…got left knee's ACL torn…Recently got Left knee ACL reconstruction….But m getting probs with rite knee now ( torn its ACL 10 yrs back)…..i hear click sounds whenever i bend it beyond certain points….Dude i need ur help pls gimme ur conatct number as well s tat of Doctor's….pls…if doc is in Mumbai or may b Pune area…dont forget to gimme ur number…

By: Shayna

Shayna — Sun, 23 May 2010 09:04:53 +0000

I so feel your pain! I blew my ACl while volunteering on our local fire Dept. It was horrible pain! they told me I damaged my meniscus and it would be fine ins a week or two. i could not out any weight on my leg at all or it would give out immidiately. I used my crutches for support while placing my foot down to get my knee to accept weight again. 2 weeks later i could hobble around the house and small distances. I was sent to an orthopedic surgeon who said my ACL was in 2 pieces. He said since i was not into sprots, he didnt not want to do the surgery. I ride horses and mountain bike and live a fairly active life, just not a give sprot per sey. So finally after several dislocations while just walking in my house, he opted for the surgery. The pain was unbearable when i woke up, i remember panicking and trying to fight the anestesia, now i wish i had just relaxed and slept instead of worrying about getting out fast so my husband wouldnt be bored waiting. I really wasnt ready to leave when I did and really wish I just slept it all off. When I came home, I think i went months without sleep! every postition you tried to move to just hurt eevn worse to the point, you hurt too much to move anymore and hoped youd fall into a pain induced sleep. I lived in faily bad pain for about a year before the pain was bearable enough to not even notice during my daily work activites. I definaltey would have done it again cause my knee is way way way better now, but the recovery wasnt very pleasant. I now enjoy all my regular activites with ease and not much pain. As uncomfortable as it was, my whole life is back on track again, it was worth the year recovery to have my life back! Goo luck to all whole are undergoing this surgery. It really makes the quality of life better in the long term. Stay strong and keep your head up!

By: sameer karjatkar

sameer karjatkar — Thu, 13 May 2010 18:34:31 +0000

Gosh ! You went through hell . Even I had a severe lower back pain . But as you mentioned repeatedly “Exercise” is the only mantra . Whenever I feel bored to do those exercises I say to myself “Hey , you are getting paid for this ” . The pain has subsided up to 90 percent , but still I feel conscious when I try to lift heavy objects . Happy Exercising !!

By: Sagar S Kattimani

Sagar S Kattimani — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 12:03:48 +0000

hi dude,

i got the same thing .., i mean full to same thing operated last friday (2nd april10), and its been just a week and already bored of it. but the prob where i did not face was.., no injection nor tab reacted everything was normal with me.
i had 3 ligament tear thats what doc said, and they have put screws too which looks scary.
from the coming monday am planning to go office with clutches in hand.., what u wanna say abt it?
Man do u have prob if i use ur blog to write mine to…, its almost the same story ….,
anyways thanks for the good info and recovery and other tips

By: Harshad Oak

Harshad Oak — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:41:57 +0000

Thanks Daniel

By: Harshad Oak

Harshad Oak — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:41:35 +0000

Sports are always going to be difficult, both physically & mentally, as you continue to fear that you will ruin the knee again. However just the fact that you don't have to worry about the knee 24×7, during travel, while playing with our kid… is a huge relief. At 45 you still have many decades of active life ahead of you, so better look at getting the surgery done now.

However do note that it does take a lot of exercise to get the knee in good shape. The surgery only gets you half way.

The surgery is said to reduce the risk of arthritis as your knee motion is now better regulated.