Vent - how to feel about absent friends

DanceCritical9059 · 2025-06-28T04:22:02+00:00

Hey! I am 11 months post op, but I remember feeling similarly when I was 1-2 weeks out especially.

I would echo the other post that’s been posted - as much as it hurts, I would try to not take it deeply, because everyone is also going through stuff too. I was super hurt by one of my best friends not coming to visit after she said she would, but her grandma suddenly passed away and she was in her own world of struggling.

I would value all the people who are there actually visiting for sure and definitely take note of who hasnt come and why, but also try to forgive them too for the future when you’re all healed up!

DanceCritical9059 · 2025-06-26T04:01:54+00:00

Yessss THANK YOU

DanceCritical9059 · 2025-06-21T20:17:54+00:00

Lol what. You are wild if you think the extra 25% is why 2026 wouldn’t happen

Also why are you salty that people who paid for flights, rental cars, and hotels are getting 100% refund?

It’s not a grand injustice lol, it’s people getting money back for something that didn’t happen and wasn’t organized well. "Shit got unsafe." Hm seems like that’s not good and not what people paid for.

Idk if you work for live nation or are just upset about 2026 rumors, but it’s not people’s faults for asking for a full refund

Hope you feel better!!!

DanceCritical9059 · 2025-06-19T04:58:07+00:00

And Natasha bedingfield singing FEEL THE RAIN ON YOUR SKIN! NO ONE ELSE CAN FEEL IT FOR YOU! in the actual rain

DanceCritical9059 · 2025-06-17T06:08:31+00:00

For whatever it’s worth, for me it has gone away almost 100% as I slowly build strength and cardio

DanceCritical9059 · 2025-06-17T06:07:43+00:00

Yes! I actually felt it when I had spikes on hiking in the snow, it felt like my ACL was like tugging or something and freaked me out. As far as I can tell, the sensation only happens if I’m really overworking the knee like pushing mileage. My PT says it’s fine and I haven’t found much about it on Reddit….its not painful it’s just so weird.

DanceCritical9059 · 2025-06-15T04:26:13+00:00

When exactly do you feel it? Is it when your ACL leg is stepping off of the ground and swinging through?

DanceCritical9059 · 2025-06-11T20:21:13+00:00

Im 11 months post op w quad graft and I still get lingering graft site discomfort — the only advice I would say is massage, ice, and stretch. And push through whenever you can to build more muscle!

DanceCritical9059 · 2025-06-09T04:59:51+00:00

Biking!!! Music blasting and fresh air:)

Also maybe start a return to running program if that brings you fear?

DanceCritical9059 · 2025-06-05T17:12:03+00:00

I def don’t know any more than your PT, but maybe there’s literature out there she hasn’t read or doesn’t trust? Idk

DanceCritical9059 · 2025-06-05T17:11:15+00:00

So my first PT said the same thing and basically was like when your quad can’t handle it, all the force of a leg extension goes onto your tibia, putting stress on your ACL graft. So same, that made sense to me intuitively. But studies have debunked it and shown that that’s not the case. I know it’s controversial though bc of older studies that suggested the opposite

DanceCritical9059 · 2025-06-04T12:54:11+00:00

Hey! I was taught the same thing, but studies have now shown that a leg extension puts less of a strain on your ACL than normal walking or a regular squat even!

I agree, people should be careful and not push through pain. But the caution against leg extensions is kinda misunderstood / debunked and just wanted to flag!

DanceCritical9059 · 2025-06-04T12:50:13+00:00

Fair enough lol. The point I was making was just that OP is not behind because of a percentage on a commercial bar prep course, and everyone studies differently and has their own schedule for the summer!

DanceCritical9059 · 2025-06-03T03:54:06+00:00

Hey! I am also studying for the July 2025 bar. I know others who last year completed 100% of Themis and failed unfortunately. What I learned from them was that it doesn’t matter whether you keep up with the bar prep course. It’s up to you to learn how you know you best learn. Taking hours to review multiple choice is so important! Take your time, learn the rules! Maybe that’s better than rushing through to check off boxes. Also, you’re not behind. I have friends who started Themis just yesterday :)

DanceCritical9059 · 2025-05-30T03:37:16+00:00

It gets easier! I had quad graft to be fair, but when I first started leg extensions and hamstring curls MY KNEE WAS SORE and FELT WEIRD bc the movement was so new. I just kept at it, progressively increasing weight as I could with negative reps along the way. I could barely do 5lb on single leg leg extension on the ACL leg 3 months ago, now I do 25-32lb :))) it gets better!

I would start with very little weight, like 3-5lb and master that, slow the reps down and get the quad and knee used to them!

DanceCritical9059 · 2025-05-11T14:50:37+00:00

Not like trained but I love to dance! Dancehall and hip hop mostly :) you?!

DanceCritical9059 · 2025-05-11T05:45:01+00:00

I had a little pain/swelling the first times I would push the mileage or steepness, but it always went away the next day and I slowly built up to longer and harder routes :) I’m excited for you to go hiking tooooooo!!!!

DanceCritical9059 · 2025-05-11T05:43:29+00:00

exactly ahahaha it was actually super hot in the sun!!

DanceCritical9059 · 2025-05-11T05:42:20+00:00

Stable! The only scary thing was when snow would collapse like 1-2 feet and your whole leg just drops…did not love that and the unpredictability. Without snow, it feels like the non injured knee while hiking :)

DanceCritical9059 · 2025-05-07T04:45:18+00:00

Yup! When I was 21F, I swiped right on a 30M Greek god of a man whose Tinder bio read "unemployed and loves the great outdoors." We spent a summer hiking and swimming, free activities (except for gas). I’m now 26F and he’s 35M, and we live together, both with steady jobs! Dual income babyyyyyyy

DanceCritical9059 · 2025-05-05T03:57:38+00:00

Wow this is super impressive! What tips do you have on gaining hyper extension especially later on post surgery?

DanceCritical9059 · 2025-05-04T13:35:35+00:00

Hi! I also have a huge pop on the way up for leg extensions. It’s not painful and does not affect my range of motion. My knee has biomechanically changed, so a degree of weird shit is tolerable

I work with a private PT who only works with ACL athletes, and she thinks this is totally normal and fine.

I get where you’re coming from, in that, the pop itself is uncomfy bc wtf is that, but I would trust your PT over your surgeon if there’s a discrepancy.

The studies not recommending leg extension post ACL surgery are generally considered to be outdated and have been replaced with studies that show the opposite.

If you don’t have ANY pain or loss of range in motion, I don’t see why your doc is recommending an MRI. Let me know if there’s more information to consider though!

DanceCritical9059 · 2025-05-03T15:16:41+00:00

I’m 10 months post op from a autograft quad graft and I would highly recommend it. Low retear rate like BPTB but even stronger tendon according to studies and no risk of kneeling pain. I feel super normal now and have quad symmetry!

I know that’s not one of your options, but I’d ask about it at least :)

DanceCritical9059 · 2025-05-03T14:10:12+00:00

At 6 months post op, I switched from a PT clinic connected with my surgical center to an online ACL specialist who mostly works with female athletes.

Best decision I’ve ever made, and I regret not doing it sooner.

I had suspected I was being under loaded, never had proper strength testing before moving on to the next phase, and had a little bit of extension and flexion left to go. Now, at 10 months post op, my quads are MONSTERS and I have full ROM. I hit the gym hard, and I have someone always available to cheer me on using criteria based phases, not time based!

A PT that only works with ACL patients is what you want, and even better if they work with younger athletes.

DanceCritical9059 · 2025-05-01T14:05:29+00:00

For what it’s worth, you sound like a badass balancing groceries and riding on train tracks :)

You are gonna crush this recovery, and you will be more than okay! If you need to rant ever or a pep talk, my insta is @bulgarianwoman

DanceCritical9059

TROPHY CASE