ACL rupture/rehab/experience?

[PK99]

Snapped my left knee ACL a couple of day ago - skiing.

Currently having twice daily rehab physio and have contacted my local specialist Sports Physio for early appointment on return. Also booked with GP re consultant referral. So all that side of things is pretty much sorted.

I've also searched on here and skimmed past threads, but most info seems pretty old and things move on quickly.

What I'm interested in, is any recent experiences/feedback about getting back on the bike and what folks might have done to keep up cardiovascular fitness in the meantime.

 

[Andrew Br]

I snapped my left ACL in October 2010 playing 5 a side.
I managed to start riding again after about 1 month, when the swelling had gone down. At that stage I didn't know that the ACL had gone.
Naturally I took it easy on the bike gradually building up speed and distance. It was more comfortable pedalling than walking at that stage; uneven ground on foot could be painful if I jarred my leg. The only slight issue was twisting my foot to unclip. It hurt until I slackened the pedal binding off a bit.
I should add that I did all this whilst having physio and with the physio's encouragement.
It wasn't certain at that stage what damage I'd done.

Eventually (about 6 weeks), I went to my GP and was referred for a scan and then to a specialist. It confirmed the damage but the surgeon was reluctant to operate since I was fully mobile. Turning up in cycling gear for the appointment probably helped him come to that conclusion.
I was miffed at the time but I can understand his thinking even if I didn't (and probably still don't) agree with it. I'm not sure now that I'd want the operation and the necessary re-hab and disruption since I've had no subsequent problems with the knee. I've given up playing football and I'm not sure that I'll ever try skiing again.

The longest lasting problem was that it took a ages (12 months ?) to get the full level of pain free movement back into the left knee. Initially I couldn't pull my foot behind me to stretch my quads but I can do that now.
The surgeon, before he discharged me, suggested that I might have torn the cartilage even though there was no sign of damage on the scan.
FWIW, I was in my late 40s when I did the damage.
I know a younger member of the forum who did an ACL skiing and has had it fixed succesfully. I was also talking to a leg surgeon on a cycling trip and he said that he'd have fixed my knee if I'd been referred to him.

Good luck with your recovery, whatever form it takes.

 

[Scoosh]

OUCH !!! @PK99 - that sounds extremely painful.

Managed to avoid anything of that ilk myself but still - GWS !

 

[PK99]

Fingers and toes crossed, the sports physio I consulted yesterday is not convinced the ACL is completely ruptured. She suspects partial or bad strain, given the pace of recovery and lack of instability under manipulation.

MRI scan booked for tomorrow @vista diagnostics at Waterloo - instant appointments (vs NHS wait) and a fraction (1/3rd?) of Private hospital charges.

Once again I'm gobsmacked at the skills of a good physio - very targetted exercises focussing of specific muscles around the knee and massage to get the lymphatic system clearing away the crud and inflammation. I did not quite walk out with a spring in my step but it was SO much more comfortable after the session.