ACL tear - what should I expect

[LockedOut]

I tore my ACL, MCL and PCL (partial) wiping out skiing. I rehabed it for 5 months and skipped surgery since it felt not too bad and didn't want to go through another 6-12 months of rehab. That was 2 years ago. My knees been pretty stable since and I've actually gone skiing again with a custom brace. I got $1000 of the brace covered by Alberta Health cause I needed it for work since I do a lot of heavy lifting but I ditched after about 6 months later. I went here to get my brace http://www.cpoi.com/.

[kevman]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

Oh and if you go the surgery rout try and book it in the summer so you don't have ice and snow to contend with. First little bit with crutches and then walking with your new knee you don't want to risk slipping and hurting yourself.

This.

I chose to have mine done in the winter because I compete in the summer but if you don't have a "can't miss" season then chose summer. Even though I'm walking comfortably now days like today roll around and not being confident on your feet really makes hurdling slush and puddles a challenge...

[TorqueDog]

I partially tore my ACL and tore my MCL in the spring of 2010 and took the 'rehab' route. I was back on the ice in two and a half months... don't do that. I got lucky.


It happened during a late night game. Didn't bother going to the hospital, went into work with a cane instead. Then went to the hospital after work. From there, I went to the University of Calgary to see one of their doctors who specialised in sports medicine. With a MRI from Mayfair three days later, I had my diagnosis.

I took an exercise ball to work and used that as my office chair. I'd place my injured leg, foot flat on the floor, and roll back and forth as I worked. This kept the joint mobile and really helped me keep from losing the muscle mass in my leg, although I did still lose a bit - it was inevitable.

I didn't take any painkillers (the hospital gave me PERCOCET - WTF) and refused to wear the leg-brace they gave me or use my crutches, opting instead for the cane I used for my Dr. House halloween costume the year before. I was walking without a cane within three weeks.

Sports doc at the U of C was impressed with my progress and actually said I could resume skating in July. I was playing full-on hockey by June 1.

This is sort of like hearing the story of a get-rich-quick scheme, "I did all this in just two months and so could you!" but it did happen and hopefully it gives you a bit of hope that the road to recovery may not be as bad as it could be. A little positive thinking never hurt anyone.