ACL injury - hoping for some insite from my lapband buddies

[JenWis6 98]

Looking for some advice from anyone who has experience with ACL injuries. Early this summer I tore my meniscus and ruptured my ACL. I have had surgery to repair my meniscus but my first doctor was a jerk and wanted to wait and see about the ACL. I have now gone for a second opinion on my ruptured ACL. The first doctor only saw a fat 39 year old come in and blew me off, no PT or anything. My second doctor has me doing 4 weeks of PT and then re-evaluate for surgery to repair/replace the ACL.

My concern is that I my husband and I spent a lot of money for this surgery and I have a lot of weight yet to loose in this journey. Before my injury I was training for a 5K with my son, signed up for a mud run, and was doing Zumba. I also have 4 young kids at home, two of which are 3 year old twins. In my mind, biking and swimming will not cut it. If I don't get this repaired will I still be able to do all of these new things I have discovered since WLS? I still have a lot of instability with just walking.

Any experience/advice from this board would be much appreciated.

Thanks Jen

[GuyMontag 1,264]

I've had to fight injuries here and there and for me it seems like diet/exercise is about 80/20 of weight loss. You'll still be able to lose about 80% of the weight you need to through diet alone. Also, when I injured myself I always found that completely resting whatever I had injured for several weeks always helped. Don't try to rehab something that is healing on its own. Those are valuable lessons that I have learned. Good luck!

[SandyM 1,956]

I have blown out both of my acls and have no miniscus in either leg. Problem with no acls is stability. I'm pretty much recovered as its been awhile.

As for repairing, most surgeons (except maybe sport surgeons) won't touch you around your age due to the fact that you havent got the circulation that you had when you were younger for recovery and unless you are a true athlete, they feel that the recovery time and effort which will likely be fruitless isnt worth the cost or what you'll go through. Plus recovery after acl repair is somewhere around 6 months of detailed physical therapy. I do have a friend that had repair at age 45 and did fine for a while though then damaged them again.

As for what you will be able to do, I still do 3 miles on the treatmill at 4.5 mph. I'm short so thats not bad. I would never try to run cuz I'd probably hurt myself. I ride motorcycles and white Water raft and am pretty active. I won't say you wont be able to run, but be careful. You no longer have the needed support to keep your leg straight. Biggest problem with no miniscus, arthritis will likely set in possibly making it necessary someday to have total knee repair. Try to lose the weight as that is the worse thing on your knees. I know that is my biggest incentive, I'd hate to think my husband who weighs less than I do right now would have to lift me to put me on the pot.

Also, running isn't good for your knees. At least, thats what my suregone and my daughterinlaw (who is his nurse) told me. Not saying you shouldnt do it, just consider the risks of it all. I hope I didnt discourage you. Bottom line is, don't stop living, but you have to keep this body for quite a few more years. Don't wear it out too fast.

[Mizz_Megan 40]

I am a PTA and from my experience you should get it taken care of now as you are still young! ACL injuries will cause serious instability issues and if not taken care of can cause further injury to both ligaments and cartilage which will probably limit your ability to participate in certain activities. Do your research, find a good surgeon and think about it/pray about it and do what you think is best.

[fee139 63]

Looking for some advice from anyone who has experience with ACL injuries. Early this summer I tore my meniscus and ruptured my ACL. I have had surgery to repair my meniscus but my first doctor was a jerk and wanted to wait and see about the ACL. I have now gone for a second opinion on my ruptured ACL. The first doctor only saw a fat 39 year old come in and blew me off' date=' no PT or anything. My second doctor has me doing 4 weeks of PT and then re-evaluate for surgery to repair/replace the ACL.

My concern is that I my husband and I spent a lot of money for this surgery and I have a lot of weight yet to loose in this journey. Before my injury I was training for a 5K with my son, signed up for a mud run, and was doing Zumba. I also have 4 young kids at home, two of which are 3 year old twins. In my mind, biking and swimming will not cut it. If I don't get this repaired will I still be able to do all of these new things I have discovered since WLS? I still have a lot of instability with just walking.

Any experience/advice from this board would be much appreciated.

Thanks Jen[/quote']

Jen -

I tore my acl in 1997 and you will always have knee instability until you have it repaired. I was thru playing sports so I opted to wait because reconstructive knee surgery would be tens times worse on me being so overweight. My best option now is knee replacement but I won't do that either until I lose weight. Having said all of that, I have spent the past 16 years with my knee "going out" on many occasions. So you have to at least expect a minimum of 6 months recovery if you get it repaired.