ACL injury: If you've had one, post here

[Masaka!]

she's about seventeen...thanks for the help! 12months is like a death sentence considering we only have about a competing window of about a year and a half.

P.S. your DP freaks me out.

[RunningDog]

she already had surgery and has a sick leg brace. apparently she says she'll be back in action in a few months but my seniors are doubting if she can improve in time for next year's competitions (march/april).
btw, noob as in "picking up ukemi and kuzushi" level noobness

My physio was pretty emphatic that I shouldn't be doing any sports until 12 months of physio, but then I was 30 at the time, if your friend is younger recovery time is shorter I suppose. But August sounds very optimistic to me.
If you snap the graft, it's much harder to repair a second time.

[Masaka!]

she already had surgery and has a sick leg brace. apparently she says she'll be back in action in a few months but my seniors are doubting if she can improve in time for next year's competitions (march/april).
btw, noob as in "picking up ukemi and kuzushi" level noobness

[RunningDog]

a fellow judoka tore her left ACL about a month ago. we're all newbies and there's a competition coming august, do you think she'll be able to recover by then?

If it's a full rupture then definitely not. For a partial tear, I don't know, she needs to see a doctor and/or physiotherapist.

[Masaka!]

a fellow judoka tore her left ACL about a month ago. we're all newbies and there's a competition coming august, do you think she'll be able to recover by then?

[RunningDog]

I tore my ACL about two years ago. When I finally went to have surgery, the surgeon made me reconsider taking it due to his opinion after rechecking my leg that it was stable without it.
Decided not to take the surgery, 2 weeks later i reinjured it playing basketball. Now I regret not taking it.

Should schedule a new one. :/

It worked well for me, but I stuck to the prehab and rehab program from my physio. The rehab lasted a whole year before I was at full strength again. Daily workouts, a lot of commitment needed.
It may also be possible to get to near full-strength through physio alone... worth considering, especially if you have to pay for the op.

[RunningDog]

If the fix was so good why aren't you doing MA anymore?

I work in construction. Can't risk another injury. I'm not risking losing my livelihood so I can piss around in pyjamas, fun though that is.

Still wearing a brace years after surgery?

Only for snowboarding/skiing, as you would know if you could read.

May I take this opportunity to thank you for your help and advice.

[urasj]

I tore my ACL about two years ago. When I finally went to have surgery, the surgeon made me reconsider taking it due to his opinion after rechecking my leg that it was stable without it.
Decided not to take the surgery, 2 weeks later i reinjured it playing basketball. Now I regret not taking it.

Should schedule a new one. :/

[Lindz]

If the fix was so good why aren't you doing MA anymore?
Still wearing a brace years after surgery?

[RunningDog]

Excuse bumping my own thread but this is my first post in 3 years...
They fixed my knee good but I never did martial arts again.

However I got myself a sick custom knee brace, carbon fibre and titanium. Went snowboarding again for the first time in years and trashed myself silly in the snowpark, and bruised everything... but the right knee was fine.

So now I'm wondering. Should I start Judo again? I'd only do it if I could wear the brace.

[Asriel]

Don't have anything useful for you mate but I just thought I'd wish you a speedy recovery.

[Raining_Blood]

I havent ruptured my ACL (but i will post my experiences anyway because being included in cool groups does great things for my self esteem) so cant comment on that but did severly strain my patella tendons in both my knees. About 2 months of physio and a year of pain whenever attempted to run or weights but fortunately both knees are a ok. Morale of the story dont run through injuries.

[meataxe]

To fix mine, they needed to get graft material from both my patellar tendon and my LCL. I have "Frankenknee" now. Like bearich said, your orthopedic surgeon will tell you lots of stuff. You best bet is to find a knowledgeable physiotherapist with a sports medicine practice--they are a lot more hands-on and have worked with various types athletes trying to return to their sport.

As for how soon you get back to martial arts training, you will need to balance your need to train now against long-term ability and how mobile you'll be when you hit 40 or 50. (I have just over 20 years and counting on my Frankenknee.)

[bearich]

If you want a point of reference, pro football MVP (Super Bowl XL) Hines Ward doesn't have an ACL in one of his knees due to a bike injury as a child.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hines_Ward

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/printcomments/3586/ (note 3 mentions his lack of ACL)

[RunningDog]

That's pretty much what I'm hoping for. The extra-muscle-and-expensive-brace-route looks a lot more attractive at this time.