Readers Respond: Have You Been Treated for a Torn ACL?

Responses: 88

Updated April 07, 2010

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After two months of arthroscopic surgery I started to walk without any support. Still I cant stand on my injured leg. still knee strengthening is required. but feeling better, improving rapidly. Now I can bend in L shape.
—Guest HSrj

I had surgery on my ACL(thigh muscle graft), PCL, and meniscus(just shaving bad off), about seven months ago. I healed great. Everything was wonderful, in fact I would question which knee was my bad knee. I was even fully released from the doctor. Unfortunately, about a month ago, I woke up in a frenzy. I jumped out of bed and jumped down the first five stairs without any thought. I was totally out of it. When I finally realized what I had done, it was too late. My knee was popping out of place, ridiculously. Also, I could move my shin bone so far out from my leg. It looked disgusting and everyone would freak out. About a week ago, I went back to the doctor for him to reexamine it. He informed me that I had re-tore my ACL. I am scheduled to have surgery in two weeks.
—Guest Belle

I was told "you're not 17 anymore" but went ahead with the surgery. I'm 37 with 3 kids and played soccer 5 days a week competitively. I was actually playing with my daughter, age 16, when I got hurt. My 17 year old had just suffered an ACL, MCL and LCL tear 3 months earlier, sympathy injury I guess. Although it's tough to watch the game from the bench I'm doing great with my cadaver, meniscus repair and partial menisectomy. I can run 3 miles with no pain and have started kicking around-straight of course. 6 months to go but I'll be back, I've been very fortunate to have had a great surgeon and therapist.
—Guest soccer mom

I had my ACL reconstructed in 1997 with a hamstring graft. (I was 27 at the time)I tore it playing soccer. My doctor also removed 30% of my miniscus. So here I am 13 years later, without any regrets. My knee feels great and is pain free. I have 100% extension and flexion and continue to lead a very active lifestyle. Yes you can recover in 5 months. I did. But, I worked hard and listened to my physical therapist and doctor. Good luck to you all!
—jewee07

I had 30% of my meniscus taken out b/c it was torn in 3 places. I had a patellar tendon replacement of my ACL. I still cant put weight on it but I am in therapy trying to be back in time for football which starts in a few months. My injury occurred while running bases in baseball an its not a common baseball injury. I also cracked a bone which attaches to my PCL at the same time and could have had a screw put in but the doc said it would heal by itself while keeping weight off of it. I had my surgery exactly 1 week after the injury.
—Guest me

I am 29 and work full time as a CCA...I had my two year old daughter in my arms while heading outside down or three front steps and lost footing. I had leaned back so she didn't get hurt and she didn't. On the other hand mommy had a torn ACL and Damaged MCL. It's been three months and I was told today my MCL has healed great! I have been placed on a waiting list for my ACL hamstring graft surgery and am really scared! Going to start walking more tomorrow...I'm still in pain when I do too much...not hard with three young children! I would just like to meet or hear with other people in the same situation as me..I would like to work out and do more to loose weight, not being able to work really has me depressed right now......CHIN UP!
—Guest Amanda

I have had four knee surgeries in the past five years. Two acl repairs ending with a total reconstruction of the ACL in may, in January i tore the meniscus and had that repaired at the end of January. wondering what my real prognosis is for continued surgeries and if I will be able to ride horses, hike, play softball and voleyball again. Also anything i need to be specifically concentrating on to keep this from happening again? My Dr. did indicate that my knee may never be stable again, at 36 that is not something you want to hear.
—Guest Wyojhwk

i tore my acl, mcl, and meniscus wrestling at 16 years old. because of doctor error, the acl went undetected, and i was treated for the mcl and minor meniscus teat with simple pt. 18 months later it still hurts, after lifting, football and wrestling. i get a second opinion and it is only then discovered i have a torn acl. patellar tendon graft, plus the removal of the majority of my cartilage, which was flayed due to my activity level without an acl. can power lift, and jog, but cannot sit or stand for too long, sprint, or run more than 3 miles. have a slight limp after heavy physical activity.
—Guest sc999

My ACL injury occurred 2 years ago while playing soccer, I ignored it & realized that I had Osgood Schlatter disease on mid- August.The therapist told me that I had to rest four 6 months to let it heal. I'm now on my third month & the pain still exists. I've tried resting but it still doesn't work, so I think that I have a much worse ACL injury.
—Guest Peter kech

i will do my acl surgury after 4 days and i'm afraid and i want to know when will my pain end and when will i be able to walk normally and how many days should i stay in home
—Guest monika

I tore my right ACL at gymnastics when I hyper-extended my knee on the landing of a layout. The damaged ligament jammed my entire knee, which kept me from bending, straightening, and bearing weight on it for two weeks until I had arthroscopic knee surgery. Being an active teen, I decided that cheering my friends on from the sidelines wasn't nearly as much fun as actually playing sports. My surgery date was scheduled sixty-five days after the initial injury occurred. My surgeon recommended for me to have the hamstring graft because of my age. Surgery went well. I still have to wear a straight/locked brace to protect my graft that begins at my hip and ends at my ankle. Physical therapy is going great, and I plan on going back to dancing (tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical) in February, but no gymnastics until August.
—Guest cass

ACL injury occurred while dodging soccer scrimmage spectators--so a quick cut w/ deceleration. Complete tear. Replaced w/ hamstring graft. 1 month post surgery, pain is gone. Stability, strength and flexibility returning. Surgeon says 6 month recovery to soccer--can we do it in 5?
—Guest mj

I have had four surguries on my knee for a tear of my ACL,MCL and shattered my meniscus and still have pain every time i walk. Running is no longer a option because it causes so much pain. Was wondering what i can do to get back to normal.
—Guest gerald

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Elizabeth Quinn
Sports Medicine Guide

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