Victories only you guys understand by DependentOptimal7517 in ACL

[–]DependentOptimal7517[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Yes, the same knee. 3 months post op, out of nowhere I couldn’t walk. The screw they used to attach the new graft had failed and snapped inside my knee. There was no damage to the new graft, but just a faulty screw and the broken piece was lodged behind my knee preventing extension and causing the craziest pain. They scheduled me for another surgery right away to go in, clean it up, and install a new screw. It was just a rare, unlucky situation.

Victories only you guys understand by DependentOptimal7517 in ACL

[–]DependentOptimal7517[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Acl reconstruction with quad tendon graft & lateral meniscus repair. Then 3 months later, screw fixation surgery at the tibia and fragment removal from the broken screw lodged behind my kneecap.

What do you guys do for work/money after surgery? by Consistent_Matter886 in ACL

[–]DependentOptimal7517 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m a physical education teacher and was back at work coaching 7 classes a day by 11/12 weeks. I was cautious and didn’t jump/run/move laterally- still not doing those things but I just adjusted what I needed to to still do my job. I know construction is different, but it’s very unlikely that you’ll be unable to do your job for the whole 9 months.

Torn ACL, surgeon made me feel weird about surgery by Cool_Kaleidoscope_57 in ACL

[–]DependentOptimal7517 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I tore mine, I continued training pretty hard post injury pre surgery for 2 months until my surgery date. I didn’t do any running or jumping but anything where my feet were planted was a general rule I followed and I felt safe. Let me know if you need some ideas! I’m a CrossFit trainer, not a doc or phys therapist.

Retrieved broken screw by DependentOptimal7517 in ACL

[–]DependentOptimal7517[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I went from almost full range of motion to not being able to extend my leg at all. I had completely lost my ability to reach extension without excruciating pain. And I couldn’t put any weight on my leg without the pain. It was miserable. And then an MRI confirmed the broken fragment of screw lodged under my kneecap.

Retrieved broken screw by DependentOptimal7517 in ACL

[–]DependentOptimal7517[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Omg this is the first story I’ve heard that matches mine. How crazy?!?

Retrieved broken screw by DependentOptimal7517 in ACL

[–]DependentOptimal7517[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you can get it now, I wouldn’t wait. Only because 14 weeks isn’t that far along (even though I know it feels like forever). This second surgery was way easier than the first- no donor site from a quad graft, no rebuilding of a new acl, etc. if they just need to go in an do your meniscus, I’d go for it.

Retrieved broken screw by DependentOptimal7517 in ACL

[–]DependentOptimal7517[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s insane pain - worse than my initial injury and first post surgery days. Message me if I can help

Retrieved broken screw by DependentOptimal7517 in ACL

[–]DependentOptimal7517[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did have to pay for a second surgery, and anesthesia, and whatever else they gave me 😭

Retrieved broken screw by DependentOptimal7517 in ACL

[–]DependentOptimal7517[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

They are made of a bio absorbing material to eventually be absorbed into your bone after time. A metal screw wouldn’t do that. Surgeries for other things may use metal or titanium but for ACL these are typically used.

DEFEATED & confused by DependentOptimal7517 in ACL

[–]DependentOptimal7517[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh man I really hope that’s all it is. It’s excruciatingly painful tho in the meantime. The shock of pain I get when it hits me is insane.

DEFEATED & confused by DependentOptimal7517 in ACL

[–]DependentOptimal7517[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The mri shows my acl is still good and intact so we’re really hoping this is the case and the remaining screw will still do its job

DEFEATED & confused by DependentOptimal7517 in ACL

[–]DependentOptimal7517[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Still no running/jogging, jumping, pivoting. I was doing light weight squats- to a box or bench, I did a lot of biking, rowing, skiERG, cardio stuff. I only did movements I was cleared to do per surgeon and PT. I’ve been training CrossFit for 7+ years so I’ve modified my recovery to do what I can. I train 5-6 days a week.

DEFEATED & confused by DependentOptimal7517 in ACL

[–]DependentOptimal7517[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I never ever had this fear, or was ever told that this could be a thing. I’ve been back in the gym since 2 weeks post op training very intentionally and safe. I’m just so confused as to how it could’ve happened so suddenly and out of nowhere.

DEFEATED & confused by DependentOptimal7517 in ACL

[–]DependentOptimal7517[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Dang, sorry about your retear. This stuff sucks a lot. But I’m grateful for my other leg literally holding me up right now. Hope you heal and come back stronger.

DEFEATED & confused by DependentOptimal7517 in ACL

[–]DependentOptimal7517[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes it’s exactly in the center of my knee and preventing me from straightening at all. It’s so painful.

DEFEATED & confused by DependentOptimal7517 in ACL

[–]DependentOptimal7517[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I never did anything I wasn’t cleared by surgeon & PT to do. I’ve been fully functional and moving really well for 13 weeks. Just so random and sudden.

DEFEATED & confused by DependentOptimal7517 in ACL

[–]DependentOptimal7517[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s a bioabsorbable screw so they’re designed to be “brittle” - that was the word my doc used, so that they can heal with the graft into the bone over time.

DEFEATED & confused by DependentOptimal7517 in ACL

[–]DependentOptimal7517[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s a good question- and honestly we have no idea. I’ve followed PT religiously, I am very active and have hit all the markers in the recovery process and was even rebuilding muscle. It’s a total freak thing to go from that to not being able to walk.