ACL surgery or not

[Philip Watkins]

Hi - I ruptured my ACL three weeks ago and need understand if I can get sufficient stability back in my knee to avoid reconstruction surgery, and be able to ride again, as the idea of recouping after the surgery and not being able to ride for six months or so feels me with dread. Against that I do want a stable knee again! I wonder how many people ride without an ACL, or tried and opted for surgery?

 

[wren123]

Have a look at "snowheads" website, there's a lot of stuff about acl's on there as a lot of skiers do their acl's.

 

[Philip Watkins]

Have a look at "snowheads" website, there's a lot of stuff about acl's on there as a lot of skiers do their acl's.

Thank you - I will have look

 

[fabbydo]

You'll be riding before 6 months if you have the op, well sitting on a horse but not xc or hunting. It's hard to say whether to go ahead or not. I had no choice, mine was never going to stabilise on its own. It's not an easy route to take. Have a very honest chat with your consultant about your expectations are and time scales you are looking at. If you do go ahead, hydrotherapy will be your new best friend!

 

[Philip Watkins]

You'll be riding before 6 months if you have the op, well sitting on a horse but not xc or hunting. It's hard to say whether to go ahead or not. I had no choice, mine was never going to stabilise on its own. It's not an easy route to take. Have a very honest chat with your consultant about your expectations are and time scales you are looking at. If you do go ahead, hydrotherapy will be your new best friend!

Thank you for your comments - I am seeing my consultant on Tuesday and what you say makes sense, I think it is only ten percent of people can maintain vigorous activity without an ACL

 

[conniegirl]

See what tour consultant says.
I did my ACL last august.
I didn’t have surgery but due to large amounts of physio my knee is stable and i was back riding in 4 months

 

[HappyHollyDays]

I didn’t do my ACL but I had to have my knee rebuilt using the outer tendons which were cut and sewn across both above and below the kneecap to hold it in place because it continually dislocated after a riding accident. I was told I would never play sport again and granted I no longer ski or run but a year to the day of having my op I rode in a mountain bike race and came third. It was hard work rehabbing, painful with lots of tears of frustration but I was at Headley Court for two months and had the very best physio available. That year was nothing compared to the years I have had since. I was 29 when I had my op, now 30 years on I’m still riding so try putting those 6 months into perspective and look at the bigger picture.

 

[criso]

I did both my acl and medial meniscus. I had the op for the meniscus but chose not to have the acl reconstructed as consultant told me he would tell me not to ride for 6 to 9 months if we went down that route. He knew horse riders and what they are like. I don't run, i didn't before, or do any jumping/turning type activities but I'm not aware of any issues riding. I don't feel any weakness when jumping.

However it probably depends on how bad the damage is. My consultant said it was 50/50 whether i would get a better result with a reconstruction compared to letting it heal naturally. If I was an athlete, it would have been worth doing to save a career but it has healed well enough to allow me to do what i need.

 

[ElleSkywalkingintheair]

I don't have an ACL on my right knee. I ruptured it, MCL and fractured top of tibia two years ago. I did a lot of rehab and physio and it was deemed stable enough not to need surgery. I have since had it re-MRI-ed and the two ends have stuck them selves back down to random bits of knee hence the stability TBH the main problem I have now is due to arthritis in both knees which was pre-existing although the injury didnt help.

I was determined to try and avoid surgery as through rehab I was riding again and doing other bits and bobs and the idea of another 6-9 months of was awful.

However, I am very lucky to have a stable knee. If I hadn't had such good luck I would definitely have had the surgery

Really hope you heal quickly and well

 

[Philip Watkins]

Thank you for your comments, sharing your experience's and advice. I saw my consultant again today, three weeks after my accident, progress so far is good and another four weeks of exercising and physio should determine how stable my knee will be, and whether I can manage without surgery. Fingers crossed and I will drop a line in four weeks! Philip