Share your experiences- ACL repair

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emmad96

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I am due to have ACL reconstruction in two weeks (only found out yeaterday), and I was wondering if anyone could share their experiences re horse care afterwards? I've had my other knee done, but I didn't have a horse at the time (got one about six weeks later...).

I don't need I worry about riding, Ali is out of work until late April anyway due to injury, but given I was riding a week after I ruptured my ACL I'd say that'd be no worries anyway.

I'd be about 12 weeks post op by the time I could ride again, does that sound reasonable? She's not a bucker, and doesn't really spook too much in the arena so I'm not too concerned about coming off. When I got her she's been ridden maybe once in the six months prior to me getting her, and was full of feed and all she did was be super strong.

So yeah, if anyone could share their experiences that'd be amazing :)
 
Hi, I had acl reconstruction in May 15, and it failed due to just casually dismounting from my horse after a ride. This was 2 weeks before being discharged as an out patient after just under a year recovery.
I made a fantastic recovery too with full movement and no pain... I'm currently on the waiting list for my second reconstruction now though!
As long as you follow your physio from start to finish then hopefully that won't happen to you. I'd be tempted to get a rider for yours for a while after though so you can build up your strength again.
Is this your 2nd reconstruction on the other knee?
 
My daughter had hers done a couple of years ago. She was not allowed to ride until 8 weeks after the op. The recovery was long,and she did not want to risk wrecking itand the operation failing. She found it quite painful when she did start again too. Mostly as the operation site from taking the tendon out of her leg to make the new ligament from was still sore.
 
I waited 6 months post-op to make sure I was 100% secure and happy with my knee. My mare is very sensible as well. I wanted to make sure it was all bedded in properly as I really didn't want to go through it all again! Make sure you keep up with your physio, it can feel weak very quickly.
 
Thanks for such quick replies!

I had my right knee done in August 2015, and this is my left that will be fixed. Well versed in ACL rehab and have actually got torn cartilage in my right knee that I obtained at some point post acl reconstruction. I really ought to stop playing hockey, that's how I did this knee, second game of the season!

I don't really have the option of a rider for my mare, she'll be rehabbing from a tendon injury and she gets quite stroppy with anyone who isn't me unless she knows them, and unfortunately the only people who have the skill to ride her have both recently moved away! May get my instructor to hop on her first though, just to check that my assumptions she won't buck me off are true!
 
I was told not to ride or muck out for 12 weeks post-op, I followed all instructions and did physio exercises religiously. My knee is still very stiff and aches at times now, the op was over 4 years ago, which is disappointing but not uncommon.
 
A friend of mine had hers done after an unfortunate fall- she landed on her feet and I'm not sure how it happened... but she showed me her MRI and the ACL had totally ruptured, as in it was not there. So they took another tendon and crossed it over. I've also known a rider whose ACL was repaired using muscle, so apparently there are different methods and I'm not sure about the recovery for the muscle repair.

My friend was off horses for 4 months but attended physio religiously and started yoga as soon as she was given permission to strengthen and restore flexibility. She still gets pain if she doesn't stretch before riding and jumping was a bit jarring so she didn't do that until the 10 month post-op mark. But almost two years later and you don't really notice that she ever had that much work done.
 
I am currently 3 months post op. I would not or could not ride at the moment still I had a acl reco 2 meniscus repairs and a lateral release. I still walking with a limp it is swollen and hurts and aches on varying scales. Since the graft does not ' take for 9 months I would be very very wary.

YOu will find it is the pivoting in getting on and off the issues of slipping in mud ect ect
 
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