wife having ACL surgery - Doc gave her recovery plan

[blion72]

my wife is 73 but in very good shape, and competes n her age group for triathlon for the last thirty years. she usually does at least one bike race a year as well as senior swim meet. very active and fit person. I cannot come remotely close to her. however, she got an ACL tear screwing around in family activities. it looks like there is also some meniscus tear on medial side. today, she got the plan from her surgeon. he gave her the following timeline based on the latest surgical techniques.

• 0-3 month window on crutches and very limited activity
• 3-6 month window she will have light recovery and PT starting.
• 6-9 month window progressively increased PT and training - but no intense running
• 9-12 month window begin light running and continue PT and strength training
• 12-18 month window work up to full running and strength training
• 18-24 month window should reach full strength but mobility and agility will not be back to normal - or as good as it is going to get.
• after 24 months should be ready to return to competing in triathlons if she still wants to.
• Summer of 2024 she should be back to where she was - but given her age at that point, doubtful she will be competing in anything.

the doc told us that she is in great shape, and this timeline would resemble what they would tell someone 40 years old. He also said, the healing process is the same for a pro athlete or a weekend warrior. The healing is based on the person more than any factor. Some people just heal better, but trying to return to activities prematurely can create a bigger setback. He does a lot of surgery repairs on former athletes who made this mistake - so he has to clean up their joints or replace them.

anyone have ACL repair and how does this compare to what you experienced?

 

[91Joe95]

"She's got a knee."

I can't offer any insight on recovery, just wanted to wish your wife good luck in her recovery. From what I know about knee injuries, what you described clearly appears to be a repetitive injury caused by kicking your butt too much. I'm sure she will be well motivated to get back to it.

 

[Nittany92]

my wife is 73 but in very good shape, and competes n her age group for triathlon for the last thirty years. she usually does at least one bike race a year as well as senior swim meet. very active and fit person. I cannot come remotely close to her. however, she got an ACL tear screwing around in family activities. it looks like there is also some meniscus tear on medial side. today, she got the plan from her surgeon. he gave her the following timeline based on the latest surgical techniques.

• 0-3 month window on crutches and very limited activity
• 3-6 month window she will have light recovery and PT starting.
• 6-9 month window progressively increased PT and training - but no intense running
• 9-12 month window begin light running and continue PT and strength training
• 12-18 month window work up to full running and strength training
• 18-24 month window should reach full strength but mobility and agility will not be back to normal - or as good as it is going to get.
• after 24 months should be ready to return to competing in triathlons if she still wants to.
• Summer of 2024 she should be back to where she was - but given her age at that point, doubtful she will be competing in anything.

the doc told us that she is in great shape, and this timeline would resemble what they would tell someone 40 years old. He also said, the healing process is the same for a pro athlete or a weekend warrior. The healing is based on the person more than any factor. Some people just heal better, but trying to return to activities prematurely can create a bigger setback. He does a lot of surgery repairs on former athletes who made this mistake - so he has to clean up their joints or replace them.

anyone have ACL repair and how does this compare to what you experienced?

I had reconstructive surgery 19 years ago now and of course things have advanced quite a bit since then so keep that in mind. That said, I think the general timeline outlined makes sense…although 2 years might be a bit long to be at full strength.

One huge aspect I don’t see mentioned, and which should not be underestimated, is the mental aspect of trusting that knee again. Took me a few years to no longer wear a brace or sleeve of any kind…most of that stemmed from me not feeling confident vs anything physically holding me back. I was very conscious of quickly cutting or planting on the repaired knee if I were say playing basketball or tennis. This thankfully dissipated over time and today I don’t even think about it nearly at all.

The surgery and recovery is no doubt challenging and there are days when it’s going to be very difficult, but the key is to be consistent with the physical therapy. Getting the knee straight or “flat” as soon as possible can also expedite the healing process. The physical therapist most certainly will explain this aspect along the way.

Hope this helps a bit and best of luck to her on the surgery and recovery.

 

[Tgar]

Since she is so athletic she should have no problem pushing through in PT. Given the double damage and her age, has there been any discussion to just have a knee replacement? Yes, I get they always want to have as much natural parts of your body intact as possible but given again, her athleticism, and desire to get back to competing a full replacement May hasten her time line significantly.

Typically they base a lot of this on available cartilage in the knee. If there is any wear and tear there at all it may be an option.

Just a thought if you are looking for a potential different path to speed things up. Having had both knees replaced from athletic injuries involving ACL and meniscus damage I am glad I was able to take those routes. The first six months are challenging but as you push through it you can do so much more. The one thing a replacement limits is the ability to run ( or cut while running ) although my one knee responds better than my other to a run.

I had a full knee and partial knee and would recommend full knee to anyone considering the process. Your wife has 10 years on me and I am still very active and hope to be doing everything I do 10, 15, 20 years from now.

Good luck to her. Obviously whatever path she takes she can view recovery as a new form of competition.

 

[RochLion]

Sorry to hear that. I just went for an MRI yesterday and found that I have a medial meniscus tear in my left knee. Tweaked it getting an Xmas tree, and then did more damage by following up with tennis. I had already had a tear in the right knee earlier in the year. The radiologist reading indicated that there was slight tear to the ACL in addition with Synovial fluid building up and possible small Baker's Cyst.

I know with my right knee minesectomy earlier this year it was pretty mild and still have plenty of cartilage cushion. I was able to get back to running and working out after 3 mo. If the cartilage tear is repaired, as opposed to removed, then there is longer recovery time because of the sutures that are placed there. To me it seems that may be what they are planning for your wife given the lengthy timeline. In any case, the doctor said that it can take up to 8 months before the knee is feeling back to normal after a minesectomy. Longer for meniscus repair.

Regarding the ACL tear I know a tennis buddy of mine had a tear where it was only hanging on by a thread and he said he could barely down the street. He had it repaired and he was back to playing like never before in under 8 months. He's in his mid 30s and little over weight, but I was amazed at how he was able to come back.

In any case I'd listen to the doctor and physical therapist. Most importantly let pain be the guide (that was my mistake). Good luck to her and keep us posted on the progress. I can imagine she's feeling pretty down but given her good baseline health she should recover nicely.

 

[psu31trap]

Fingers crossed . I hope all goes well with your wife’s recovery.

 

[GregInPitt]

my wife is 73 but in very good shape, and competes n her age group for triathlon for the last thirty years. she usually does at least one bike race a year as well as senior swim meet. very active and fit person. I cannot come remotely close to her. however, she got an ACL tear screwing around in family activities. it looks like there is also some meniscus tear on medial side. today, she got the plan from her surgeon. he gave her the following timeline based on the latest surgical techniques.

• 0-3 month window on crutches and very limited activity
• 3-6 month window she will have light recovery and PT starting.
• 6-9 month window progressively increased PT and training - but no intense running
• 9-12 month window begin light running and continue PT and strength training
• 12-18 month window work up to full running and strength training
• 18-24 month window should reach full strength but mobility and agility will not be back to normal - or as good as it is going to get.
• after 24 months should be ready to return to competing in triathlons if she still wants to.
• Summer of 2024 she should be back to where she was - but given her age at that point, doubtful she will be competing in anything.

the doc told us that she is in great shape, and this timeline would resemble what they would tell someone 40 years old. He also said, the healing process is the same for a pro athlete or a weekend warrior. The healing is based on the person more than any factor. Some people just heal better, but trying to return to activities prematurely can create a bigger setback. He does a lot of surgery repairs on former athletes who made this mistake - so he has to clean up their joints or replace them.

anyone have ACL repair and how does this compare to what you experienced?

That seems pretty conservative based upon how far post ACL surgery therapy and recovery methods have progressed over the years. Likely due to your wife's age, but could also be due to her particular surgeon.

My first ACL surgery, on my left knee when I was 34 was performed early in 1989 by Dr. Freddie Fu, who at that time was one of the premier knee surgeons in the country, Dr. Fu used a piece of my patella tendon for the graft. I was on crutches for approximately 11 weeks, visited his clinic on Baum Blvd 2-3 times per week for about 9 months (sometimes less as I was traveling for work at the time), and was playing basketball again in just over a year. He performed my surgery at Presby, which was about a POS, in that the orthopedic rooms were not very conducive to post orthopedic trauma.

Dr. Brian Jewel of the group that treats the Steelers performed my second ACL, on my right knee around 10 years later. The surgery was performed at Ohio Valley Hospital in McKee's Rocks. I don't really remember if I was even there over night, but I do remember that OVH was much more efficient and patient friendly that what I experienced at Presby. He used an ACL from a cadaver. I was only on crutches around 5-6 weeks as I remember. The therapy, including extensive use of a range of motion machine delivered to our house, was begun quicker and was more aggressive, and I was back on the BB court in less than a year.

It would seem that even today each surgeon has some specific parts of their therapy and recovery protocols that are different than other surgeons. So if you trust your surgeon, and he gets great results with the others he treats and operate on, you just have to listen to him......

Hope this helps. Good luck to her, but when individuals have great recovery's it's not luck. Those driven to recover and get back to their former activities are those that fully recover and are able to resume those activities. In my case I went back to playing BB each time against former college and low level professional players until I reached 47 yrs old, at which time the pain from the bone on bone thumping made it just too painful to continue. So I had to resort to golf, with about zero cardio, realizing that I would never be in the shape I was in before going forward...... Sadly.

 

[SkiLion2]

my wife is 73 but in very good shape, and competes n her age group for triathlon for the last thirty years. she usually does at least one bike race a year as well as senior swim meet. very active and fit person. I cannot come remotely close to her. however, she got an ACL tear screwing around in family activities. it looks like there is also some meniscus tear on medial side. today, she got the plan from her surgeon. he gave her the following timeline based on the latest surgical techniques.

• 0-3 month window on crutches and very limited activity
• 3-6 month window she will have light recovery and PT starting.
• 6-9 month window progressively increased PT and training - but no intense running
• 9-12 month window begin light running and continue PT and strength training
• 12-18 month window work up to full running and strength training
• 18-24 month window should reach full strength but mobility and agility will not be back to normal - or as good as it is going to get.
• after 24 months should be ready to return to competing in triathlons if she still wants to.
• Summer of 2024 she should be back to where she was - but given her age at that point, doubtful she will be competing in anything.

the doc told us that she is in great shape, and this timeline would resemble what they would tell someone 40 years old. He also said, the healing process is the same for a pro athlete or a weekend warrior. The healing is based on the person more than any factor. Some people just heal better, but trying to return to activities prematurely can create a bigger setback. He does a lot of surgery repairs on former athletes who made this mistake - so he has to clean up their joints or replace them.

anyone have ACL repair and how does this compare to what you experienced?

Not sure about the timeline equals "what they would tell a 40 year old". 10 Years ago, when I was 40 my timeline was - day after surgery go to PT. I was on crutches for a couple of weeks but they were working on range of motion immediately and I was constantly being worked off crutches. Maybe range of motion was "very limited activity" but I was also given the carrot that as soon as I had 110 degrees ROM motion I could get on a bike again. I worked my *** of to get on a bike again (although I couldn't use clip in pedals) and I would not call that "light recovery". I assume that with your wife's age she is having a cadaver replacement? My surgery was more complicated given I choose a petallar tendon replacement. I also had very limited meniscus damage. I am not trying to question her doctor but that timeline does not equate to my timeline. Also, for reference, my surgery was (I believe) April 17th. I skied right around christmas of that year.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Also, for reference, my surgery was (I believe) April 17th. I skied right around christmas of that year.

Not much can keep @SkiLion2 off the slopes; I salute you.

 

[Tom_PSU]

my wife is 73 but in very good shape, and competes n her age group for triathlon for the last thirty years. she usually does at least one bike race a year as well as senior swim meet. very active and fit person. I cannot come remotely close to her. however, she got an ACL tear screwing around in family activities. it looks like there is also some meniscus tear on medial side. today, she got the plan from her surgeon. he gave her the following timeline based on the latest surgical techniques.

• 0-3 month window on crutches and very limited activity
• 3-6 month window she will have light recovery and PT starting.
• 6-9 month window progressively increased PT and training - but no intense running
• 9-12 month window begin light running and continue PT and strength training
• 12-18 month window work up to full running and strength training
• 18-24 month window should reach full strength but mobility and agility will not be back to normal - or as good as it is going to get.
• after 24 months should be ready to return to competing in triathlons if she still wants to.
• Summer of 2024 she should be back to where she was - but given her age at that point, doubtful she will be competing in anything.

the doc told us that she is in great shape, and this timeline would resemble what they would tell someone 40 years old. He also said, the healing process is the same for a pro athlete or a weekend warrior. The healing is based on the person more than any factor. Some people just heal better, but trying to return to activities prematurely can create a bigger setback. He does a lot of surgery repairs on former athletes who made this mistake - so he has to clean up their joints or replace them.

anyone have ACL repair and how does this compare to what you experienced?

First off, best of luck to your wife on a complete recovery. Now the best thing that you can do to help her is to find yourself a girlfriend. Actually I give that advice to everyone no matter what the situation.

 

[Catch1lion]

That seems pretty conservative based upon how far post ACL surgery therapy and recovery methods have progressed over the years. Likely due to your wife's age, but could also be due to her particular surgeon.

My first ACL surgery, on my left knee when I was 34 was performed early in 1989 by Dr. Freddie Fu, who at that time was one of the premier knee surgeons in the country, Dr. Fu used a piece of my patella tendon for the graft. I was on crutches for approximately 11 weeks, visited his clinic on Baum Blvd 2-3 times per week for about 9 months (sometimes less as I was traveling for work at the time), and was playing basketball again in just over a year. He performed my surgery at Presby, which was about a POS, in that the orthopedic rooms were not very conducive to post orthopedic trauma.

Dr. Brian Jewel of the group that treats the Steelers performed my second ACL, on my right knee around 10 years later. The surgery was performed at Ohio Valley Hospital in McKee's Rocks. I don't really remember if I was even there over night, but I do remember that OVH was much more efficient and patient friendly that what I experienced at Presby. He used an ACL from a cadaver. I was only on crutches around 5-6 weeks as I remember. The therapy, including extensive use of a range of motion machine delivered to our house, was begun quicker and was more aggressive, and I was back on the BB court in less than a year.

It would seem that even today each surgeon has some specific parts of their therapy and recovery protocols that are different than other surgeons. So if you trust your surgeon, and he gets great results with the others he treats and operate on, you just have to listen to him......

Hope this helps. Good luck to her, but when individuals have great recovery's it's not luck. Those driven to recover and get back to their former activities are those that fully recover and are able to resume those activities. In my case I went back to playing BB each time against former college and low level professional players until I reached 47 yrs old, at which time the pain from the bone on bone thumping made it just too painful to continue. So I had to resort to golf, with about zero cardio, realizing that I would never be in the shape I was in before going forward...... Sadly.

Swimming

 

[OuiRPSU]

I know she’s 73, but based on blion72’s description, I feel like maybe there should be a flag on this (which, I’d like to add, is meant as a compliment).

 

[Tom McAndrew]

I know she’s 73, but based on blion72’s description, I feel like maybe there should be a flag on this (which, I’d like to add, is meant as a compliment).

just a reminder that wives, GFs, and family members are always excluded from the post-a-picture rule.

 

[blion72]

Since she is so athletic she should have no problem pushing through in PT. Given the double damage and her age, has there been any discussion to just have a knee replacement? Yes, I get they always want to have as much natural parts of your body intact as possible but given again, her athleticism, and desire to get back to competing a full replacement May hasten her time line significantly.

Typically they base a lot of this on available cartilage in the knee. If there is any wear and tear there at all it may be an option.

Just a thought if you are looking for a potential different path to speed things up. Having had both knees replaced from athletic injuries involving ACL and meniscus damage I am glad I was able to take those routes. The first six months are challenging but as you push through it you can do so much more. The one thing a replacement limits is the ability to run ( or cut while running ) although my one knee responds better than my other to a run.

I had a full knee and partial knee and would recommend full knee to anyone considering the process. Your wife has 10 years on me and I am still very active and hope to be doing everything I do 10, 15, 20 years from now.

Good luck to her. Obviously whatever path she takes she can view recovery as a new form of competition.

thanks for that input. I had a hip replacement, which went well, but cannot run or do yoga. When we asked about replacement, her doc said for sure faster recovery, but her running days would be over. No more triathlons, but she could do the biking and swimming stuff. I am not sure if she is getting the advice regrading replacement due to her age. It does appear that she has adequate meniscus - unlike me who is bone on bone. We may push the replacement discussion a bit more. If she thought it was possible to continue running on the joint, no question replacement would be on her list.

 

[GregInPitt]

Swimming

Yep, swimming is great cardio. But it doesn't interest me as their is no competitiveness to just forcing yourself to push yourself in a pool. Also no camaraderie, like I had with the BB players I hung with.

But for those that get into it, swimming sure is a great exercise routine.

 

[OuiRPSU]

just a reminder that wives, GFs, and family members are always excluded from the post-a-picture rule.

Duly noted.

 

[laKavosiey-st lion]

I know she’s 73, but based on blion72’s description, I feel like maybe there should be a flag on this (which, I’d like to add, is meant as a compliment).

This is known as non flaggable.

 

[Catch1lion]

Yep, swimming is great cardio. But it doesn't interest me as their is no competitiveness to just forcing yourself to push yourself in a pool. Also no camaraderie, like I had with the BB players I hung with.

But for those that get into it, swimming sure is a great exercise routine.

My business partner is a pretty big swimmer . He has great camaraderie with swim groups . And he also competes in open water events . Masters swim clubs are popular . I’m too inefficient of a swimmmer to partake . Light weights and golf have to do it for me . Resting heart rate around 58-60 so
Hanging in there .

 

[PSU87]

my wife is 73 but in very good shape, and competes n her age group for triathlon for the last thirty years. she usually does at least one bike race a year as well as senior swim meet. very active and fit person. I cannot come remotely close to her. however, she got an ACL tear screwing around in family activities. it looks like there is also some meniscus tear on medial side. today, she got the plan from her surgeon. he gave her the following timeline based on the latest surgical techniques.

• 0-3 month window on crutches and very limited activity
• 3-6 month window she will have light recovery and PT starting.
• 6-9 month window progressively increased PT and training - but no intense running
• 9-12 month window begin light running and continue PT and strength training
• 12-18 month window work up to full running and strength training
• 18-24 month window should reach full strength but mobility and agility will not be back to normal - or as good as it is going to get.
• after 24 months should be ready to return to competing in triathlons if she still wants to.
• Summer of 2024 she should be back to where she was - but given her age at that point, doubtful she will be competing in anything.

the doc told us that she is in great shape, and this timeline would resemble what they would tell someone 40 years old. He also said, the healing process is the same for a pro athlete or a weekend warrior. The healing is based on the person more than any factor. Some people just heal better, but trying to return to activities prematurely can create a bigger setback. He does a lot of surgery repairs on former athletes who made this mistake - so he has to clean up their joints or replace them.

anyone have ACL repair and how does this compare to what you experienced?

My daughter just had ACL surgery. Luckily no meniscus tear which is a very common combination.

You did not mention the repair technique....cadaver, patellar tendon, hamstring, etc.

Granted my daughter is 17, but 24 months seems very conservative. My daughter has been told 8-9 months for full contact soccer. So even at 73, for events like triathlon where you are not planting and cutting, that seems awfully conservative.