ACL injury and riding

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SFoers

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Has anyone here had a fully ruptured ACL and if so how was your return to riding please ?

I have a fully ruptured ACL, partly ruptured MCL and a lateral tear in my meniscus - the consultant has suggested I go for the non surgical route ie. extensive physio and the physio has said it’s likely I’ll opt for surgery anyway after a 3 month physio course!

I’m only a happy hacker and was expecting to start riding after a few weeks of physio but would appreciate anyone’s experiences of returning to riding after these injuries.

Thank you
 
I had a complete ACL rupture together with meniscus tear about 30 odd years ago. I had an ACL reconstruction and after about 12 weeks was able to start riding gently. It was pretty uncomfortable at first and I didn't put my stirrups up as much as I used to for jumping.

At Christmas 2021 the reconstructed ACL ruptured again. The surgeon did not want to do another reconstruction and as my knee is reasonably stable I was happy not to go through another operation. I did have a fair bit of physio and was riding a week or so later.
 
I had a total rupture of ACL and MCL. MCL repaired it's self and the two ends ACL have stuck them selves down to bits of bone (not repaired, still in two bits) but as the ends are fairly stable I decided against reconstruction. I was riding again after 5 or 6 months but it took a long time to be able to do rising trot again. I can do most things still but not to a high level as I haven't tried rather than I think I can't. I'm having my knee cap realigned in a few weeks which is unrelated to ACL injury and expect to have to start from scratch again, albeit with a shorter rehab time.

I was religious with my rehab, I had private physio and did all exercises given and also went swim walking almost daily. I think without doing such good rehab I'd not be able to do as much as I can 💪
 
I had a grade 2 MCL tear in April 2020. I wasn't offered physio, I suspect due to covid and unfortunately couldn't afford it myself at the time. I was on crutches for 2 weeks but back riding within that time (opted for a dressage saddle - short stirrups still give me some gyp). I found riding relatively pain free, but I had to give up running and haven't had the strength in my leg to return to it. Your injury is obviously worse but I expect you'll find the return to riding fairly easy, especially if you've had some physio. Take it steady :)
 
Yup, not a complete rupture but consultant was prepared to do a reconstruction. I didn't have the complete reconstruction altho consultant thought it was v borderline but he did clean up the meniscus and I did loads of physio. I was 60 when it happened (skiiing, duh!) but I've still made a really good recovery although I don't play tennis or dance as I won't risk the knee. Now mid 70's and tbh riding has not been an issue.
 
Thank you everybody that’s very promising, it sounds as if I may be able to proceed with just the physio which is what I was hoping.
Eggs that’s a lot to go through! It’s interesting though that as your knee is stable you haven’t had further surgery.
Barton Bounty have you had a separate injury then?
ES and Belmont thank you for your info, if the physio had been successful that gives me plenty of assurance.
Oldie48 I did mine skiing too! The consultant has said after the physio he may need to repair the meniscus but I think it’s a small op so nothing to worry about.
 
I fully ruptured my ACL and tore my meniscus. Had surgery to reconstruct the ACL and pin down the tear in my meniscus. The ACL surgery went really well but the meniscus didn’t work or it tore again so I have bother with it still. (Not the surgeons fault. The physio wouldn’t send me to orthopaedics as she said there was nothing wrong so it took a year and 9 months after tear to get surgery so made it harder to fix.) I’ve got a few other things a bit dodgy in that knee too so I do sometimes get sore riding.

Do your physio and try and keep that leg strong. Plenty of gym work once you’ve gotten the go ahead from the physio. You should be able to keep riding fit.

the meniscus tear is an easy op and decently quick recovery compared to ACL. I’m Just unfortunate that my physio was a….. I’m not allowed to use the words here I’d like to to describe her. I hope she’s seen the state of my last MRI to see the damage that could’ve been prevented if she’d taken me seriously but I doubt she cares.
 
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I completely ruptured my ACL, but was lucky and didn't do any other damage. I had it surgically repaired. Wasn't allowed to ride for 6 months after surgery, so 9 months in total. Did physio for the 6 months. It was some time afterwards before my knee was totally right - lots of walking to build it up - but now I pretty much forget I ever broke it. I do use flexon stirrups, which make jumping a lot more comfortable.
 
Thank you Peglo and Cowpony, Peglo that sounds terrible with your physio you must have really struggled all that time.
 
I have a few customers who've had ACL reconstructions and still ride. I would highly recommend lining up someone like an Equestrian Fitness Institute coach to take you beyond the usual physio, for a full rehab that addresses everything else going on in the body (which after all may have contributed to the injury).
 
I tore my acl and meniscus some years ago.

I opted not to get the reconstruction surgey but has to get the damaged meniscus removed as i couldn't bend my knee.

The reason I didn't was the consultant who knew a bit about horse riding as his wife rode said he would not want me ride for 9 months post surgery until it has fully healed and it was 50/50 whether the result would be better than rest and physio. There had been a misdiagnosis so it was some time before I'd been referred to it had already started healing.

I was given the OK for gentle ride while waiting for the op, it was going to be a long wait and i think he knew that i probably would so best to manage. No rising trot, 2 point seat and absolutely no falling off.

The meniscus op wasn't such a major op and i got back on board when the plan said it would be ok to ride a bike, about 6 weeks.
 
I got kicked and all my ligaments were no longer attached as well as a torn meniscus. After being cleared for PT, and learning how to walk, I started doing walk/trot for short periods on the lead line. It was a slow recovery but within a month of starting just walking around I was doing about 45 minutes of walk/trot. Three months in I was almost back to normal doing small jumps.
 
And also you may need to address saddle fit, the knee should be able to be stable, softly supported on the saddle, not flapping and not pinching. Very exacting saddle fit for the rider may be needed for this to avoid strain. Too many go and get hinged stirrups (I don't generally recommend them due to their effect on proprioception) and ignore what the actual issue is.
 
SFoers said:
Has anyone here had a fully ruptured ACL and if so how was your return to riding please ?

I have a fully ruptured ACL, partly ruptured MCL and a lateral tear in my meniscus - the consultant has suggested I go for the non surgical route ie. extensive physio and the physio has said it’s likely I’ll opt for surgery anyway after a 3 month physio course!

I’m only a happy hacker and was expecting to start riding after a few weeks of physio but would appreciate anyone’s experiences of returning to riding after these injuries.

Thank you
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I did exactly this two years ago plus I broke the tibia plateau. Was told they wouldn’t even consider surgery as I wasn’t as athlete (I mean like a footballer/gymnast that kind of thing) pointed out I didn’t all say on my feet and rode horses for a living. Nada. Wouldn’t do it.

So I had no choice. Three months just to get to physio. Then another three to feel completely comfortable riding.

And then I did the other knee. Exactly the same injury again. (The air was blue this time around. I was furious with myself!) but because I knew the routine I was back quicker. Good luck. And don’t rush it. It’s vital it heals properly.
 
That’s really useful information, thank you all.
sbloom I’ve lined up an equine type physio who has me pencilled in for early August which will follow on from the 3 months of initial physio the consultant has recommended. I really didn’t think about saddle fit though so that’s good information to have.

Denali thank you, it’s good to get an idea of how long things might take.

Parrotperson that’s exactly what I was told, basically if I’m not playing County level netball or similar then they don’t even consider it - especially on anyone over 30. Completely rules me out! I did mine over 2 months ago and am still waiting for physio but it should start this week. So sorry to hear you’ve done the other one though, unbelievable and I’d be swearing too!!
 
SFoers said:
Parrotperson that’s exactly what I was told, basically if I’m not playing County level netball or similar then they don’t even consider it - especially on anyone over 30.
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Interesting as I was given the option though this was 4 or 5 years ago. This was at UCH, consultant worked in the private sector and did did one day a week clinic with the NHS. Physio was pretty comprehensive, I was offered it immediately while we were discussing options and while I was on the waiting list and it continued for months after. My only criticism would be they knew about lots of sports like running or football but when I asked about returning to riding or yoga, the physios were a bit clueless.

The consultant was clear about pros and cons. My knee wouldn't stand up to a sport that involved jumping and twisting motions like netball or football so if that's what I needed to do then an op would have been essential to carry on. I wasn't a runner before and don't now. It would have been a major operation and lengthy rehab.

However for riding, I honestly can't say I notice the difference between knees and don't get any pain. What I can't do now is mount from the ground as it was my left knee.
 
I was playing county level netball when I did mine. I didn’t realise that’s why I got the op. I can’t go back to netball now though as the meniscus is still torn so it’s likely my ACL will go again if I did as that’s what happened before. It’s never felt secure enough to consider playing again but I can run and ride so I’m happy with that.
 
Parrotperson said:
I did exactly this two years ago plus I broke the tibia plateau. Was told they wouldn’t even consider surgery as I wasn’t as athlete (I mean like a footballer/gymnast that kind of thing) pointed out I didn’t all say on my feet and rode horses for a living. Nada. Wouldn’t do it.

So I had no choice. Three months just to get to physio. Then another three to feel completely comfortable riding.

And then I did the other knee. Exactly the same injury again. (The air was blue this time around. I was furious with myself!) but because I knew the routine I was back quicker. Good luck. And don’t rush it. It’s vital it heals properly.
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Random question, I have had metalwork and 8 pins. Recovering now and still undergoing physio. Are you able to sit on your heels? Im only 4 months post surgery and I didnt realise how much i used to sut on my heels, and did feeling nerves come back? Im not riding yet as trying to heal up to avoid further injury but trying to gain stride during a walk. Hoping to walk (whilst riding) next month but my horse will be fresh. The sitting part is over - thank goodness.
 
lthomas567 said:
Random question, I have had metalwork and 8 pins. Recovering now and still undergoing physio. Are you able to sit on your heels? Im only 4 months post surgery and I didnt realise how much i used to sut on my heels, and did feeling nerves come back? Im not riding yet as trying to heal up to avoid further injury but trying to gain stride during a walk. Hoping to walk (whilst riding) next month but my horse will be fresh. The sitting part is over - thank goodness.
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Honestly I can’t remember! It was five years ago.

Yes my nerves cave back but it took a while. I’d say at least 6 months and slowly after that. (Nerves coming back feel itchy, tender, sometimes painful and like pins and needles.)

They didn’t let me have surgery as I was deemed too old (the cheek! I was only 58)

Physio is absolutely key. Don’t run before you can walk (‘scuse pun)

You may have a slightly better outcome since you’ve had surgery.

I find that if I put too much pressure on my left knee (turn too quickly, step off ladders hard that kind of thing) if goes again. I have no ACL at all and no surgery to replace it so I have to be careful

That said I ride a lot. I have to be careful getting off (I use a mounting block or dismount Cavalry style if I can’t find one). I don’t have trouble when I ride.

I did my right knee two years after my left (idiot girl!) but not so badly.

Good luck!
 
lthomas567 said:
Random question, I have had metalwork and 8 pins. Recovering now and still undergoing physio. Are you able to sit on your heels? Im only 4 months post surgery and I didnt realise how much i used to sut on my heels, and did feeling nerves come back? Im not riding yet as trying to heal up to avoid further injury but trying to gain stride during a walk. Hoping to walk (whilst riding) next month but my horse will be fresh. The sitting part is over - thank goodness.
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Not who you asked but, I was grateful to my surgeon who kept me in my pain medication on demand and I was very aggressive when it came time to break up the scar tissue.

I’ve never been able to sit on my heels post surgery but had to squat and duck walk A LOT due to my job. I was fine with all that although if I didn’t have an anti inflammatory or my knee brace I suffered for it the past two years.

What I have learned 10 years post surgery and having a less active lifestyle (no horse and switched careers) it’s extremely important to keep on top of your fitness, knee strength and weight.

I have difficulty squatting now (I think, I don’t know I fear the pain a bit) because I ignored all of that for the past year and a half.

I left my career due to the knee pain and needing to ice them for two days after doing certain job requirements for three days straight. You CAN get back to your normal range of motion but it will take time.
 
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