Torn ACL...........need advice.

[Unity66]

dont have much time as i have to hobble to class on crutches in a minute.

ive torn my ACL according to the orthopedic doctor who works with LSU's athletes.

i go for the MRI in a week or so.

im gonna go under the knife as im to young (25) and the doc said im in good shape........should take a full 6-8months to fully heal though.

anyone with any experience with this operation.....please share your knowledge as i want to know as much as possible in regards to the procedure...........

hope you all are doing well............

in solidarity

Unity66

[coroner]

ACL/MCL, January '97, back bowls at Vail on a great powder day... a day I'll never forget. The most humiliating (and painful) ride down the mountain in the "gimp cart."

The best advice I can give you is to not worry. It will heal, and you'll come back. Big squats (and skiing, if that's what your into) will again be possible, just take the time to do the PT right. And be sure that the doc performing the surgery is a sports guy with LOTS of experience.

__________________
Night will come, and I will follow
My Ultimate goal: to become so big that I occupy the entire universe!!!!

[archive_Killer]

Well, that sucks. Do you have any other damage, as in meniscus or another ligament? Usually the ACL is not torn alone.

Do all the rehab you can before the operation, as obviously, you want to be the strongest you can be going in. Pay attention to the hams. Why? The hams are the main support structure to the ACL, meaning they also stop the tibia/fibula from going forward. Actually, there are several NFL players that have torn ACLs, but there hams fire so fast that their tibia/fibula stabilizes. They literally don't need their ACLs, but most off us aren't motorly gifted as them.

Find out what the surgeon is going to use as your graft. I am guessing since it is the team doc he is good and up to date. He will probally use an alograph (cadaver) Achille's or patellar tendon. If he uses your own patellar tendon, expect a lot more swelling and pain. I don't know of any using the synthetic grafts anymore, and a hamstring tendon was sometime used. Post op, he may have you use a passive range of motion machine. Some doc like them, so don't. You may also use an electic ice circulating machine. It plugs into the wall, and you put ice and water into a little cooler. A pad encircles your knee, and the ice water is driven through the pad. These things are banging when it comes to reducing swelling! Highly recommend. You will also be in a knee brace for some times and obviously on crutches. On a personal note, don't listen to a friend or whatever and not use your crutches. One of the funniest days I can remember is when one of our athletes came in using a cane because his freind said it was ok to use. Or trainer just about stuck his foot up the guy's ass.

I am also guessing that since he is the team doc, he will have you follow an aggresive rehab protocol. This is good. Just make sure you don't go against the docs instructions because you don't want the graft to fail or "get loose." I know a couple people whose grafts failed, and several more who messed around during rehab and now have "loose" ACLs on their surgery knee. Don't even think of doing a leg extension beofre he gives you the ok.

If you know a trainer at the University, try to get the trainer to do your rehab. In general, in a PT clinic, since it is income driven, the therapist won't spend that much hands on time with you and your incurance will probally pay for 2 or 3 visits a week. In the training room we would see our ACL athletes 5-7 times a week for up to a couple hours. Much more hands on time. If you go the PT route, make sure to do your stuff at home as instructed.

If you aggressivly follow your rehab (as being on this board you are use to self inflicted pain) you will be fine. Getting ROM will be the most painfull thing, along with looking at your leg, especially your VMO (teardrop) and calf and saying "Where's the beef?"

Several freinds and athletes I know came back 100% with no problems afterwards.

Good luck, and don't hesistate to contact me if I can be of any help (have to earn my keep around here somehow)

[pitboy]

hope your cartilage is fine!!!!!! Get strong as before!!

I blew the ACL/MCL 08.00.
coroner and killer spelled it out .... nothing really to add bro.

Get the BEST guy you can find to do this!! It will take months off your rehab. Really ask heaps of people. I had the best guy in my country do it and love him. All this guy does is knees and LOTS of them (unsure if he knows where the elbow is) ..... this is the type of guy you SHOULD get. He did a bone tendon bone graft off the patella. As I said I love him.

I would also stare clear of the jungle juice as it will give you a false reading on hows it going.

I couldnt stop myself skiing with the donjoy on after 3 months ...... I hope you can. Didnt get back into my sport for 6 months though.
Just hit that rehab hard! Stationary bike etc. I was into rehab after 2 days. Im so happy I had the right people around me as NOW Im 100% FINE!!!

anyway mate GOOD LUCK.

[Unity66]

thanx for the replies brothers.........much appreciated.

i know not if my meniscus is torn or the extent of the injury for that matter, i have to wait until i have the MRI.....

things were going well, training hard and started the semester full-speed. my dean is allowing me to drop the semester without a 'W' showing on my transcripts, which is a good thing!!!!

i had just started a cycle of 600mg/wk nandrolone, 600mg/wk cypionate and some dbol 1.5 hrs prior to training (my preference in dosing dbol)......

realizing that any thing that interferes with the bloods ability to clot, such as AAS/asprin is not a good idea when going under the knife........

i feel paralized and helpless------feel like im gonna atrophy alot during this. i was contemplating using a low dose nandrolone/test post op. to speed recovery and synthesis.......

my reasoning is that it will aid in recovery and help me keep the 206lbs on a 5'6 frame........33inch waist at that. i just dont want to significantly atrophy during the next 6months-----im sure all you can understand this. ive got the gear, thats not a problem, my delimna lies in my decison 'whats best for me and my health/body and what am i wiliing to sacrifice???

if you have an opinion id like to hear it......pro/con......just help an iron brother out.......thanx

in solidarity

Unity66

[Unity66]

damn..........have i not posted in that long? 1911, Ranger, Ulter....im sure you geriatric fellas know what its like.......hah!!!!

you fellers have a good day now ya heay;-hear! /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[archive_Killer]

Unity66,

All the guys I worked with still could do upper body movements while in their brace and or rehabbing. However, when in the brace, it is a little akward to do some of the lifts, as your leg is locked straight, but it can be done. Just get in there and do what you can. Maybe work on some weak points, such as forearms and rotator cuff.

The biggest problem the guys and friends I worked with was weight (fat) gain, as they didn't modify their diets for their reduced caloric expenditure.

[Unity66]

thanx.....thats what ive been doing, yet my plattella is uncomfortable working bis (straight/EZ curl standing) and its difficult to get around the gym on crutches.....

i may take a month off.........im determined come back stronger after this surgury!!!!

[archive_Killer]

Yup, I know what you mean. I was in a straight leg for 8 weeks (I think) and had to get pretty creative to do exercises comfortably. Got a couple weird looks. When on crutches you are somewhat limited to machines. The worst thing is sweating under the freaking brace.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[Unity66]

killer.....youve offered me a wealth of info...i thank you for that----thank all four of you who replied (i need to reduce my dissonance that i think im unloved...lol).

F***** red-tape with the insurance company. the MRI was done on both my left shoulder and knee last thursday the 21st. since my last post, coming down a flight of stairs and hitting the grass my left crutch dipped into mud and i fell backwards heading for the concrete steps......

instinctively attempting to break my fall, i fractured my elbow doing so.....so now my left arm is in a sling. the shoulder i faked the injury so i could get the x-rays and MRI done as i have an old rotator-cuff injury and wanted to see what the ortho doc has to day when i see him this wednesday......

while getting the MRI....there was a starting B-ball player for my university and an assistant coach. after talking to the both of them, i spoke to the assistant coach for a bit. he told me the exercises and the rigourous rehab sessions that athletes do.....2-4+hrs/twice a day sessions.

we also spoke of procedures and im going to get the P****** (sp?) technique done, not the surgury that uses a part of your hamstring. the rehab is more difficult, yet it heals stronger and i want to be able to run, squat (even partials) and get well.....

i plan to work my ass off and.......looking at several new sources that have come my way....

looks like legit serostim 126iu kits are affordable @~$500 a kit......

would you, if you could afford it, use 4iu/day during your rehab....two kits would last me two months at that dose...

anyone have a take on HGH and its effect on ligaments/tendons at 4iu/day.....all i read is that it is the only substance that can strengthen ones soft-tissue(s)......

this will be a running post for those interested in my recovery.........if i can get my scanner drivers, ill post the scans of the results from the MRI.....

keep me in your thoughts as you lift......i am unable to and it really sucks!!

in solidarity,

Unity66

[archive_Bjaarki]

Yes, we all love you, Unity. Bad news, little brother. Really sorry to hear it. If it's any comfort to you, though, I was doing squats yesterday with a young guy, about your age, who was repping out 495, ass-to-grass, no problem, a couple of years after surgery just like you're facing.

Docs will sometimes prescribe nandrolone postop, to speed healing. Is that what you had in mind?

Killer: You are a hell of a resource for this board. Your detailed, thoughtful, and optimistic posts do not go unnoticed.

Bjaarki

" 'Til the weard of the world, stands, unforgotten,
high under Heaven, the Hero's name!"
Hrolff Krakki's Saga (Iceland)

BECOME SOMEONE'S HERO!

[Unity66]

thank you Bjaarki....that is good to hear.

my MRI scans were read today......

ive torn the anterior cruciate ligament and my meniscus has 'buckled'.....its a bad injury says the surgeon who works on the universities football team......speciailizes in knees.

i was thinking of using nandrolone and maybe 200mg/wk of during the rehab.....they told me they want me 2-3x a week and i said i want to go mon-friday!

also.........since it seems that 126iu kits of serostim are available from a few good sources at resonable prices...

does anyone think that using such substances will increase the time it takes my graph to heal....i will work my ass off as well!!!

this is a tremendous period of growth for me (not hypertrophy....lol). you dont realize how nice it is to be able to run and drive a standard till you cant.....

ill keep the board updated......the surgury is scheduled for next month. wish me luck and the strength to bleed, sweat and punish myself so that i may come back stronger.......

thank you........

[E2]

Pitboy what country are you in??

Unity, just so you know the best guy in north america is here in canada, he specializes in acl sugury and has invented new techniques! Email me and i'll send you his name and contact info. I don't know how it would work if you came up here for the sugury or how much it would cost you.

http://anabolicfitness.net/images/e2.jpg

[pitboy]

Alot if Rugby guys do their knees in down there. He really is VERY good. Bone tendon bone graft from the side of the patella. pin prick hole where he worked through and another where the camera went in. I believe this is a newish tech. too. People go down there to study under him. The day he did me he did a total of 5 ACL recons. Thats what he does. Rather well known.

[Unity66]

thank you E2 for sharing that with me......

ill shoot you an email.....ill use the addy included in your profile.....

i have my insurance picking up the tab and the best knee guy in the state.....working with all of the athletes at those fellas who won the sugar bowl.....heh!!! LSU...........

he has a great reputation and im having what is considered the 'gold' standard.

i will email brother and run the info you give me back to my doc on my appointment next weak to look at this lil' fracture. i can do one-legged push-ups and use my crutches, yet i can fully flexs my left tricept......

thanx for all who responded......much appreciated.


anyone have a take on an intelligent use of nandro/test and GH in helping the 'graph' to strengthen and the ligaments to heal quicker/stronger....

you really dont realize what its like to ride a bike, run, train.....have freaky sex untill you've been injured.

im in my middle 20's and this is the first time ive really injured myself.....

thanx again......E2, ill shoot you an email soon.

in solidarity,

Unity66

[archive_Killer]

Unity,

Just wait till you get to have freaky sex in your leg brace. You can get pretty inventive (ha ha)!

Good luck and stay positive! (Which it sounds like your are)

[helga]

well everyone has covered it all pretty well. I too have ruined my ACL....I did mine YEARS ago when I was a teenager. I had to go under the knife twice. The cool thing was my Dad got me to use the doc who was then the team doctor for the Dallas Cowboys. I got to meet Tony Dorset,Drew Pearson, Danny White ect..... it was fun. I was going for a track scholarship at the time and that blew that. (NO, it was NOT for English grammer or spelling hee...hee)My injury never healed or should I say was corrected as well as they can be these days and I LOVE to squat. It is my favorite exercise and for a small woman I go heavy and deep. I have noticed though that the hack squat is not friendly to me, and neither is the Smith Machine sometimes. You will be fine as stated in the previous posts.....just do what you are told and experiment some on your own. Every person's biomechanics is different, your rehab needs might vary a wee bit from someone elses...........

[Unity66]

heh....the knee is fine now though ive yet to squat. im limiting myself for a bit to extensions and the leg-press. oh yea, one legged lunges and hams/calves of course /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

a bit o' oxandrolone helped out...

Unity66

[Unity66]

heh....the knee is fine now though ive yet to squat. im limiting myself for a bit to extensions and the leg-press. oh yea, one legged lunges and hams/calves of course /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

a bit o' oxandrolone helped out...

Unity66

[SteelPreacher]

just to point out we have a rehab forum now.

http://www.anabolicfitness.net/images/kp.jpg
Don't be fooled by the muscles that I got, I'm still, I'm still Preacher from the block! I used to have a little now I have a lot, but I still know where I came from! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[SteelPreacher]

just to point out we have a rehab forum now. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

http://www.anabolicfitness.net/images/kp.jpg
Don't be fooled by the muscles that I got, I'm still, I'm still Preacher from the block! I used to have a little now I have a lot, but I still know where I came from! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif