This season in doubt :-(

Hi Jon,

I ruptured an ACL a few years ago, like GreenGoblin playing football although there was nobody anywhere near me so can't blame it on a bad tackle!

I had to have a full ACL reconstruction, which basically means they cut a piece of tendon from somewhere else on your leg where there is plenty spare, and use that piece to build a new ACL, pinning it top and bottom.

It entirely depends on the extent of your ACL injury - a minor tear and they may just recommend surgery to repair the cartilage, and physio to strengthen the ACL. If it is a substantial tear or a rupture, you might need a reconstruction. All will depend on the outcome of the MRI!

The recovery time from a full ACL reconstruction is substantial. You can usually run on it after around 1-2 months (carefully!), since there is no turning/twisting motion with running in a straight line. Sports involving twisting, e.g. football, tennis will be much longer - probably 6-9 months. And skiing is the hardest of all on the ACL - you would be looking at 12 months before skiing on it.

But the good news is you will definitely be able to ski on it again, you just might have to miss a year's skiing. I have done 3 fill ski weeks on mine now, with no problems. I do wear a brace now when skiing - more for a bit of extra protection and confidence really. According to the consultant the ACL should be more than 95% as strong as before the injury, but there is no harm in wearing one. I use this one: http://www.donjoy.eu/en_UK/63949Drytex-Playmaker.html - cost about £140 online, for the peace of mind it gives its a bargain.

As others have said, the physio is your new best friend. Do all your exercises religiously, and then some. Building the muscles around your knee, particularly quads and hams, is the key - these muscles will really protect the knee and provide stability. In fact, I have heard various accounts of people having a ruptured ACL, not getting it repaired at all, and still skiing due to the strength built up in their surrounding muscles. Wouldn't necessarily recommend that course of action though!

And yep, private healthcare is awesome - I also got mine done on work's insurance. The consultant's secretary phoned me and said "yep, we've had the MRI scan results and can confirm that you need the reconstruction surgery. He can fit you in on Wednesday." Beats NHS waiting lists!

Best of luck.
Tim

Coping without an ACL isn't as uncommon as you think - an ACL does more (functionally) in some peoples' knees than others.

I have it on good authority that Rory Underwood played on Tigers & England's wing with ruptured ACLs. Granted repairs are much more commonplace these days so perhaps he would have had them done had he been born 15 years later.

The key thing is that the rehab exercise doesn't end when you've recovered from the op. ACLs rupture for a number of reasons - simple high impact being one of them but for most people it's a combination of trauma and knee structure and quality of the ligament. People who rupture 1 are more likely to do the other or rupture the repair than the average person.
The key thing is to make sure your knees are fit and strong for skiing and there is good evidence that wearing a brace, such as the one above (not just a neoprene support) reduces the risk of repeat injuries.

4 months sounds like the best case scenario. So still plenty of hope for skiing before end of season.

Right now am 4 1/2 months into recovering from ACL surgery and have same fears of missing season. Back to biking (full blast), stepper, squats, lots of single leg squats, plenty of TRX and stability work etc.

Will not consider skiing before 2 months of solid plyometrics. Have penciled in March as a maybe for skiing. Going to be a long season but plenty of motivation to hit swimming pool and gym whilst everyone else is skiing.

This time last year my right leg was in plaster after rupturing my achilles tendon playing cricket.

I enjoyed a great week's skiing in Solden in March.

Keep the Faith - as we Northern Soul boys like to say!

I had the what sounds like the same many moons ago playing footy. It mended very slowly and was weak for about 5 years. I could click it to order and it hated any side ways movement. The good news is that very slowly it healed completely and now is no different to it's neighbour!

Treat it with kid gloves, use a support even if it feels ok and I wish you the same full recovery. Good luck.

I ruptured my ACL skiing six years ago and and having read some negative articles on the outcome, elected not to have reconstructive surgery.
Having had many problems early on with trying to do stupid things like play my sport squash! my knee is now strong enough to allow me to play tennis and yes also ski (but hoping I won't fall too badly and twist it!)
I still don't have full mobility and was wondering if anyone else has had an ACL injury and not had surgery - and if so what the outcome has been

pooky wrote:
I still don't have full mobility and was wondering if anyone else has had an ACL injury and not had surgery - and if so what the outcome has been

My OH snapped an ACL many years ago, was unaware, limped a while and carried on with life. Learned to ski, still unaware it was missing. Occasionally his knee would "give out", so eventually he went for an MRI Scan, which confirmed that there was a bit missing!
Surgeon suggested not bothering with reconstruction as he'd gone so long without, ordered a proper brace to be fitted by the hospital, and he carries on as before. Wears the brace for skiing only.

Hi Guys and Gals,


Thanks for all the help, tips and info....

Just got back from seeing the Consultant with the MRI results and have High-Grade ACL injury which is complete or near complete, also a Horizontal Cleavage Tear at the junction between the Anterior Horn and Lateral Mensiscus so will need an Orthoscopy and 3 weeks off work....

So better than I thought, also signs of slight Arthritus in the knee ( only blummin 40 yrs old ) .

jon.