Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - ACL tear

JiriHrdina · 04-12-2011, 02:18 PM

I've talked about my experience on here before (ha! that's my thread above). My recovery didn't go well. I hit the rehab hard and worked my arse off. But I developed a very stiff knee and never re-gained full range of motion, even after a 2nd procedure and going to physio 3-4 times a week for a couple of years.

I was on crutches for far too long - and even after I dumped the sticks I walked with a limp for a long time.

I'm a few years removed and things are better now - day to day my knee feels good. Most days I have no real stifness though if the weather changes or if I sit too long (at a movie for instance) it can still get stiff. I initially returned to playing ball hockey (like you that's how I hurt it) but I made the decision last summer to give it up after I felt something not right. My doctor advised me that I was playing with fire and I would probably re-injure it again. Since I gave up those type of sports my knee has improved a lot - but it sucks I can't do those things anymore.

My advice
- Get a chryo-cuff for your recovery. It is worth the money many times over and is superior to any other means of icing the knee down.
- Find a physio therapist you a comfortable with and talk about their overall approach.
- I found working in the pool once the wounds healed was great - the water provides both resistance for the leg but also supports the leg
- For range of motion I started going to active release therapy about a year after the operation - and it helped me make some real gains that I wasn't able to achieve through standard physio. It should be covered as part of chiropractic services in most benefit packages.
- I didn't find much value in acupuncture at all

The main thing, particularly following the operation is to do the exercises multiple times a day. Going to your physio session isn't enough - you need to do the range of motion exercises throughout the day.

It's not an exact science. My doctors and therpists were in agreement that I did everything I could to get a great result - and it didn't happen. Others who took a far lazier approach to their recovery had a way better result than I did so its frustrating.

But at minimum put yourself in position to give yourself the best chance by working your butt off.

Good luck. PM me if you have any specific questions.

04-12-2011, 02:18 PM	#7
JiriHrdina I believe in the Pony Power Join Date: Jul 2003 Exp:	I've talked about my experience on here before (ha! that's my thread above). My recovery didn't go well. I hit the rehab hard and worked my arse off. But I developed a very stiff knee and never re-gained full range of motion, even after a 2nd procedure and going to physio 3-4 times a week for a couple of years. I was on crutches for far too long - and even after I dumped the sticks I walked with a limp for a long time. I'm a few years removed and things are better now - day to day my knee feels good. Most days I have no real stifness though if the weather changes or if I sit too long (at a movie for instance) it can still get stiff. I initially returned to playing ball hockey (like you that's how I hurt it) but I made the decision last summer to give it up after I felt something not right. My doctor advised me that I was playing with fire and I would probably re-injure it again. Since I gave up those type of sports my knee has improved a lot - but it sucks I can't do those things anymore. My advice - Get a chryo-cuff for your recovery. It is worth the money many times over and is superior to any other means of icing the knee down. - Find a physio therapist you a comfortable with and talk about their overall approach. - I found working in the pool once the wounds healed was great - the water provides both resistance for the leg but also supports the leg - For range of motion I started going to active release therapy about a year after the operation - and it helped me make some real gains that I wasn't able to achieve through standard physio. It should be covered as part of chiropractic services in most benefit packages. - I didn't find much value in acupuncture at all The main thing, particularly following the operation is to do the exercises multiple times a day. Going to your physio session isn't enough - you need to do the range of motion exercises throughout the day. It's not an exact science. My doctors and therpists were in agreement that I did everything I could to get a great result - and it didn't happen. Others who took a far lazier approach to their recovery had a way better result than I did so its frustrating. But at minimum put yourself in position to give yourself the best chance by working your butt off. Good luck. PM me if you have any specific questions.