torn ACL and Tri's
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john_grieco posted 46 weeks ago.
Sorry to hear your news about your torn ACL and needed surgery - Don't have any direct experience w/ACL tears, but I had torn medial miniscus and significant damage to the condial (upper bone in the knee joint) requiring microdrilling to stimulate and simulate cartilage - I quit volleyball (loved the game) and started up w/triathlons. I never looked back.
Once you have the surgery and get clear to start physical therapy, depending on your overall physical shape (i'm guessing you're in good shape) and a talk with your PT, I think swimming would be an easy way to start in. Cycling easy on a trainer may be next and then aqua jogging may be a way to run (running in pool) with no impact on your knee while it's still healing - My coach had a stress fracture in her foot in June, aqua jogged through most of the tri season and then qualified for november's ironman 70.3 championships at timberman in August - My point being that you can work toward full training while you heal, but make sure you check in w/your doctor and don't push yourself too hard.
good luck.
"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."
-T. S. Eliot
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krazyfranco posted 46 weeks ago.
Sorry for your injury, thats rough. I played and loved soccer for about 15 years (Age 5-20), but tri's have been way more challenging and fun for me since. Take it easy in recovery!
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bdriven710 posted 46 weeks ago.
I know what you are going through. About 6 years ago I had major knee surgery from a soccer injury. I not only tore my ACL but also my LCL, miniscus, and posteriar lateral corner. They thought I would be out for a year and a half or even two. I tore it at the end of Oct and was playing college soccer the next Aug. You will be back to 100% without question. It is amazing what they can do. If you simply tore your ACL then I would guess you would be back to full strength much quicker than 9 months but no need to rush. Make sure to work really hard in rehab and continue to keep your body strong and flexible. My knee has held up great. I have experienced some IT band tendinitis issues once in awhile over the last few years as a result of week hip muscles and glutes. As long as you keep your lower body flexible and strong you will be back in no time and better than ever. I know what you mean about giving soccer up. I played for another 4 years after my injury and now focus soley on tris. Outside of the occasional indoor team or pickup game. As you said, not worth getting injured! Good luck, but trust me, you will be fine!
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kakman posted 46 weeks ago.
Ryan;82296 wrote:
so it is official, i have torn my left ACL playing soccer. I am wondering if any of you Trifulers out there have ever tore a ACL and have come back to Tri in the next year.
Really sorry to hear that, I know it's not fun. For a long term view, I tore my ACL 13 years ago and had a knee reco about 3 weeks later. Doctor said 9 months before being back to sport and was pretty right.
Physio had me on a recumbent trainer after about 3 weeks but pedaling very easily. Lots of boring lunges to work the quads but you probably have an advantage as someone who cycles (back then I didn't ride at all).
The way the Doc explained it to me was that the surgery immediately fixes the integrity of the knee, but it takes around 9 months for the bone to graft properly around the screws. We see lots of footballers down here trying to return after 6 months and it's amazing how many of them have to get 'rebuilt' because they came back too soon.
The good news is my knee has never given me trouble since - touch wood.
Good luck with it - you'll be back before you know it.
//k
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simonatc posted 46 weeks ago.
I work as an athletic trainer at an NCAA Division I university, so in my experience, I have worked with many ACL reconstructions. (I actually work with men's soccer.) The recovery time will vary depending on the type of graft your surgeon chooses to use. If he uses your own patellar tendon, you will almost certainly develp tendonitis during the rehab process, but the positive aspect is that there is no chance of your body rejecting the graft. If he chooses and allograft (cadaver), healing usually occurs quicker, but there is the small chance that your body will reject the graft.
In terms of time to return to activity, many players have returned in 4-6 months. 9 months would be very slow for and ACL reconstruction. The ACL mainly comes into play in rotational activities such as cutting, so once you establish full range of motion and strength, you should be clear to start running and biking. Our players normally begin jogging at about 2-3 months post-op.
I would make sure you find a good therapist post surgery that has experience with athletic populations and not just geriatric patients. Good luck.
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beads1985 posted 46 weeks ago.
Sorry to hear that but you will be back up and running soon enough.
I tore my Right ACL playing soccer in 1996. I had surgery to repair it in 1997. My surgeon worked with the Detroit Lions during his career and was now working with several local College sports programs.
After my surgery I was on a CPM (constant passive motion machine) within hours and in rehab 3 days later on a stationary bike. I was running easy within 10 weeks. I was rehabbing for about 6 months.
I was fitted for a custom brace that I wore for a few years to play soccer.
For running I wore a simple neophrene sleeve knee brace.
I didn't start serious running and triathlons until 2003. I wore a cho-pat brace for running. http://www.painreliever.com/ChoPDulAtn.html
Since then I have had no trouble running, biking or swimming.
''Nothing to it, but to do it''
http://beads1985.trifuel.net/
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Ryan posted 45 weeks ago.
thank you all for the well wishes and sharing your experiences. It is so refreshing to hear stories of recovery especially relating towards tri's.
I am going to really investigate this whole pool running thing.
I think the part i am most scared about is gaining weight with really no way to burn any off for awhile. I am really going to focus on healthy eating to also help speed recovery.
Forza Nerazzurri
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Iron Dan posted 45 weeks ago.
I tore mine a few years ago playing flag football. The main thing that I can advise you to do if you want to heal fast and properly is to do the workouts that you are prescribed to do on your own. I tore my ACL about 6 months after my sister tore her ACL playing basketball. We had the exact same procedure from the same doctor and I was back to activity before she was (even though I was 6 months later) because she never did any of the exercises the PT wanted her to.
Depending on what type of surgery you decide on will drastically affect the length of recovery. If you do your own tissue, the rehab will be longer. Using cadaver tissue will speed up the recovery greatly.
Also, have no fear about not being able to get back to 100%. I used my own tissue to repair the ACL and everyone said that I would get tendonitis and pain that could always be there. My knee never bothers me from working out. The only time I ever have any pain in my knee is when I run or bike during cold weather. All I have to do is to but on a neoprene sleeve when I am workout during the weather and I have no pain at all.
I hope your recovery goes well and I wish you the best of luck.
so it is official, i have torn my left ACL playing soccer. I am wondering if any of you Trifulers out there have ever tore a ACL and have come back to Tri in the next year. i'm having sugery in Nov so they say 9 months out of commision. I'm hoping to get back to Tris next summer. Or at least ride the trainer lightly in the winter.
I would think Tris do not effect your ACl all that much becaue of little lateral or side to side movements. I am currently still swimming in the pool with a torn ACL and have no pain.
I think i may be quitting my original love of soccer since it is not worth reinjuring. For the last few years i have been getting the same high about running biking and swimming. I would be happy doing that the rest of my life, but i will truly miss the "beautiful game"
This is a major bummer and dampers my spirts for a long winter of doing nothing. Anyone have any similar experiences?
Forza Nerazzurri