ACL reconstruction and torn meniscus?
 

Anyone had there ACL reconstructed along with a meniscus tear repaired at the same time? About 3 years ago I hurt my knee, it's been super unstable I kept telling my Doctor there was something wrong but it wasn't until around last Christmas he booked me an MRI.

Turns out my ACL is done, like as in completely gone doesn't show up on MRI and I have a torn lateral meniscus. I'm going to get surgery to repair them and forgot to ask the surgeon what the back to work time was.

Anyone have this done? How long until you were able to move around on crutches? I've searched online but it seems to be all over the place as far as time lines.

Had torn ACL and MCL. Had arthroscopy done, took me 6 weeks to be off crutches. Don't know about meniscus though...

Will be reading this intently as well....

I need my knee checked, similar - it feels unstable, something is definitely wrong behind the knee cap ish area.

I also have a lateral meniscus tear and a full thickness acl tear (few fibers remain), wait list for surgery right now..

You'll probably get in before me, please let me know how your recovery goes.

i had my right ACL and menicus tear fixed
i initially hurt it in my early 20's but it wasn't a problem till early 30's

- 4 months prior to my ACL and menicus surgery, i was on a exercise program to strengthen my hamstrings because my surgeon told me that's where they were cutting to create the graft for the ACL, i also needed my menicus shaved because it was in really bad condition. (my physio was also helping me prepare for my surgery)

- the 3 weeks after the surgery was the worst, i was in a lot of pain, i think it was a combination of both the ACL and menicus being torn. other people that i've talked to, who just had the ACL repair done, they were fairly good a week after surgery

- rehab starts the day after surgery, just lifting your entire leg up and down helps
- you are required to buy this ice machine, it costs about 3-400 dollars, just make sure your leg is always elevated, and that the machine is always on your leg (super cold)

- i am fairly active and consistent with my rehab so i was fully recovered about 7-8 months after surgery. everyone is different but i would say 1 year full recovery is normal

- i didn't listen to my surgeron when he said stop playing volleyball and i ended up tearing my menicus again 2 years later. the recovery for just the menicus tear was about 3-4 months.

HTH

Good luck! you can do it!

That 3 weeks, we're you stuck at home or were you able to move with crutches?

i was definitely home for 2 weeks (other then going to the physio)

i was on Oxycontin for the first 3-4 days. the first two days on Oxycontin was the best, i felt i was flying in bed.

i think by the middle of the 3rd and beginning of the 4th week i was able to drive to my physio. mind you, i have a truck and its fairly easy to get in and out of. but yes, i was still on crutches. everyone's healing time is different, just make sure you strengthen wherever they are going to cut to make the graft. it will speed up your recovery.

also i cant stress enough having your leg elevated, wrapped snug, and iced 24/7 after your surgery. it will speed it up a lot. the surgeon did not tell me that but my physio made me do it and it helped a lot

obviously everyone's recovery time is different, but best of luck to you. it's painful but you will get through it

When my fiance (then girlfriend) had her ACL and meniscus done she was off work for 2 weeks, when she went back she tried to keep her knee elevated and iced and even then there were days where she had to leave early. I'd take 3 weeks if you can. Backlog as many movies, TV shows and video games as you can as you'll be pretty useless for the first while, get pillows and things to keep your leg propped up. If you have a low bed be sure to have something solid you can use to help yourself get up or you're gonna need someone to help you.

We were able to rent one, it makes a massive difference.

I've had my ACL done 3 times. Full thickness tear the 3rd time. Meniscus once. All in the same knee.

Like everyone above has said, ice, ice, and more ice. I tore all of mine in a 13 year span when I played basketball ending a few years ago so my recovery is probably very different than yours. Started physio soon after but at about 4 weeks after surgery we started doing exercises, started doing on ground running movement 3 months after (not treadmill or stationary bike), started really pushing it about 6 months after but didn't feel confident with movements till about 9 months after surgery.

I had the luxury of having access to a physio everyday although some of them were simply icing and ultrasound. A key thing that helped me was doing a contrast bath sooner rather than later. Contrast bath is where you ice for a minute then heat for a minute and do it for about 20 minutes. My physio had me doing that at about week 4.

Good luck!

Three things I forgot to add, the first is I'd highly recommend buying a good quality brace if you can. The one she got is carbon fibre and has adjustable limiters so she can set it to stop her movement exactly where the wants it. It was something like $800 which seems expensive but compared to going through the surgery and recovery again we figured it was well worth it. There were less expensive options too, they were a bit heavier but also very solid.

Second is find a good physio, even if you can't go very often it's good to have someone assessing your recovery and giving you exercises to do. It's tempting to slack off on the exercises but do your best to stay on top of them.

Last is transport, I think for the first 2 or so weeks back at work I was driving her (she had her right knee done though). If you've got a low car or a standard it'll take you longer so if you've got access to something higher like an SUV or a van then try to borrow that.

A friend of mine had arthroscopic surgery on his knee(ACL tear) because of an injury playing football, the surgeon told my wife(nurse) he had one of the fastest recoveries he has seen. Friend attributes lots of it to what he ate. I'll try to find out more info for you.

Thanks, the brace I'm getting is custom fit and he did tell me anywhere from $800-1400 for that depending so I'm kind of expecting it.

I drive an SUV and it's the left knee so I'm hoping I can drive myself to work sooner then later. I'll probably fly my mom in from Sask. for the first week or two so I can have some help around the house.

Friend said to stay away from sugars, limit red meat, eat lots of green veggies. Essentially minimize inflammatory foods.

That's good to hear, I've started doing all that stuff already because of some other health issues. :)

Wow... im about to get a MRI as well too. same injury as yours !!!

I'm scheduled for Surgery on Tuesday, I'll update on the recovery time once I'm able.

Good luck

Surgery went well, pain level is quite high can't bare any weight and even the slightest movement is brutal. I'll update in a few days hoping pain levels decrease as I could use more them 3 hours sleep.

^ hope you have a quick recovery man. I am on wk 9 after my knee surgery for a torn meniscus. I was really worry about my ROM and pain after 6 wks, because still hurt like heck and I had limited ROM. Now I feel I am 80% back to normal and the pain is going away. If I could redo my recovery, I would spend more time on icing and massage to reduce the swelling. Especially around the knee cap. Good luck man

good luck

remember to elevate your leg and ice!!!!!

Remember to do METH!

Bone broth is great for healing after surgery. Collagen especially helps with repairing tissue.

https://purebonebroth.co/pages/where-to-buy

Kefir is also very healing.

https://vitamedica.com/wellness-blog...after-surgery/

If youre taking pain meds, it wouldnt hurt to get a stool softener maybe something like restoralax/miralax is great. White grape juice is also good for that purpose.

Hope youre doing okay! My aunt had knee surgery and I had to change the dressings a few times. Sometimes the dressing got stuck to the wound and made it difficult to change but if you moisten the gauze up itll lift off easily.

Thanks my wife picked me some up tonight. I've been taking pain meds every 4 hours all day and night. I can't move without exrutiatung Pain, spending all my time in a recliner. A trip to the washroom takes my pain level to an 8 or 9 for 45 minutes as long as u don't move and legs supported it's mabagabkw with meds. I'm hoping this weekend I see some improvements.

What kind of pain med? T3s or percs? Make sure you're ingesting enough fluids to help your liver and kidneys process the meds. I'd say double the amount that you regularly do. And watch out for rebound headaches from the med use if you'll be on them for a while. When the pain gets tolerable, taper off the meds gradually.