Anyone had ACL reconstruction and not regretted it?

[ElleSkywalkingintheair]

Hi guys,

I totally tore my MCL and ACL back in Aug and also fractured back outside corner of tibia (undisplaced). The MCL is now totally healed and the fractures are most likely healed although I do still have pockets of swelling and can't kneel down. The torn ends of ACL seem to have suckerfished onto bone or similar as when physio and surgeon manipulate leg there comes a point when something kicks in and stops leg from bending in odd ways.

Last chat with surgeon he though I might get away without surgery, am being very very good 're physio and have ridden three times since accident (in last week) I am fine in walk but as yet knee/quads aren't up to rising trot but i think will come in time.

Everyone horsey I've spoken to who has had the surgery has regretted it. I must admit the idea of being out of action for 3/6 months again after surgery is not appealing but would love to hear from anyone who has found the surgery to be helpful?

 

[fabbydo]

I wouldn't say I regret it as I don't think I really had a choice but it isn't a magic fix. Knees are very complicated and take a long time to settle. I was sitting on my horse and hacking before 2 months but didn't have the strength to 'ride' him for a while. It was so nice to be back on board though!

 

[Spottyappy]

My daughter had hers reconstructed 7 years ago as the knee was totally unstable.
All had been fine. No regrets.
Until, this may. She slipped and has totally ripped the reconstructed one. The knee is unstable again, and she hasn’t been able to ride since, but the operation for a second time is major surgery. She is not keen to have this done,so is holding onto the hope that the knee will stabilise enough to not need it.

 

[Jayzee]

I had mine reconstructed last December. It has taken a good 9 months to get the strength back and I still am careful about the type of exercise. I was back on board after 5 months but took it very slowly to reliable mounts.

I was non weight bearing for 8 weeks as I also tore the cartilage as well as the ACL.

I don't regret the surgery, but I had no choice

 

[Jayzee]

I had the surgery last December for ACL and torn cartilage which meant I was also non weight bearing for 8 weeks post surgery. It has taken a good 9 months to a year before the knee felt stronger - ie jumping on to it. Even now my hamstring is weaker on that side as they took out a hamstring to use as the ligament. The main thing was building back up the muscle tone after 8 weeks of little use.

I waited 5 months to get back on and did make sure I was careful and was riding reliable mounts.

I do not regret the surgery however I had very little choice as my knee was so unstable.

 

[Cowpony]

I had mine done about 10 years ago. Haven't regretted it for a second! Yes the rehab is long and even after you've been signed off by the physio there's a lot of muscle rebuilding to do, but I am so glad I had it done. I do ride in shock absorbing stirrups now, but I can do anything and don't worry about my knee.

 

[pansymouse]

I significantly damaged my ACL in a fall (pile drive from a 17.3hh) 10 years and always had stability problems until I got a brilliant physio a couple of years ago who has got me so much stronger and more confident on it with the added bonus of 90% less pain. I have to accept that my toe will always point out at an odd angle when I ride but other than that you can't really tell I have an injury.

I've been of the opinion that you never have your knee operated on unless you can't move or can't bare the pain when you do - I've seen so many people have recurring problems post knee surgery.

 

[ElleSkywalkingintheair]

Thanks all. I think my main fear is that at present I can bumble along ok, still seeing improvement week by week and that the two ends seem to be stuck to something and doing some of the job of ACL. Also I know I can't actually damage it anymore at min whereas after surgery my two suckerfished ends will have gone and I can actually completely ruin it and have to have further surgery or nothing doing ACL job at all 🤔

 

[oldie48]

I went into to have a reconstruction following a skiing accident but having done a lot of research I asked the surgeon to not do it if he thought I might manage and just to tidy up the meniscus etc that was also damaged. Surgeon decided it was borderline and didn't do it (said I could come back to have it done if required) I was 60 so was quite worried about the recovery etc. I did loads of physio to build up my quads and 10 years on I am glad I didn't have it done but I am very careful in what I do. I probably would have had it doen if I had been younger though and I do know a couple of people who hav got through it very sucessfully.

 

[eggs]

I tore my ACL skiing about 28 years ago. I also tore the cartilage and had that removed about 2 years later as it kept 'catching' in my knee. My knee was very unstable (and incredibly painful) and I finally had an ACL reconstruction done about 20 years ago but using the patella tendon rather than hamstring. I managed about 8 years with physio but then had a fall down the stairs and was left with no option but to have the reconstruction - I still don't know if I fell because my knee gave out or not.

Yes rehab is long and fairly arduous and mine wasn't helped as some bone had been left behind and it took another couple of operations to sort out why I was unable to get anything like a straight leg. Since the last operation to sort it out things have been OK. I have a tight hamstring in that leg and it still 'feels' weaker but I don't regret having it done.

I was able to start riding 12 weeks after the first operation but just did a gentle walk around the block for a while. From memory rising trot was not easy the first few times and I still can't ride at jumping length for any length of time (not a problem now as I have got old and rather chicken and jump very rarely).