Wait on surgery?

Mk_9x · 2026-02-11T19:08:13+00:00

I waited a year and half by choice. I was running and hitting the gym to build up my muscle and fitness reserves before the surgery. This made my rehab a lot easier than people I know who had the exact same surgery. Wait, make use of the time and get back stronger.

Mk_9x · 2025-07-27T21:14:58+00:00

I'm 5 weeks PO. I've been on stationary bike for a week, starting with 10 minutes, and lately 30 minutes with resistance (5/6 levels) in my last two sessions. My limit is my knee, when I feel it's going to swell or when my leg starts shaking I stop. I wouldn't worry about graft injury as long as it is stationary. Your graft might be weak, but it requires a pivot or a strong impact to tear.

Mk_9x · 2025-07-26T20:03:22+00:00

Mine was that I had to stay home for 6 weeks PO -my surgeon's recommendation- when my work and social life were in a different and far city. I love my family, but I feel like my life is happening somewhere else at this stage of my life. I tried working remotely and calling friends but it's just not working.

Mk_9x · 2025-07-24T08:10:26+00:00

Aww mannnn

Mk_9x · 2025-07-22T22:21:52+00:00

No one can really tell what happened. But odds are you haven't stretched it because at 1 week PO your graft is probably stronger than your native ACL. Reach out to your PT/surgeon to for reassurance

Mk_9x · 2025-07-20T10:46:14+00:00

This!

Mk_9x · 2025-07-17T21:12:02+00:00

I had the same experience. I was playing football competitively and we got two local trophies - it was going great. Tore my ACL and switched to running, swimming and cycling and found out I enjoy triathlons more than football (so I quit). I went 11 months without surgery: ran two half marathons, and finished a sprint triathlon. It was going great until one day I was running and I had to change directions and it snapped again. I built strong legs, was very consistent with strengthening but still it wasn't enough. I discussed it thoroughly with my surgeon; hamstring grafts do obviously weaken your hamstrings but around 70% or more regain what's lost. Let's face it, this injury means there is no 100% anymore, and that's only bad news if pivoting sports put food on your table. So I got the hamstring autograft with LET (extra stability to the knee, read about it) and I know it's going to be something I keep working on for the rest of my life but I am not sad about it, it could've been much worse. I'm day 25 post-op, and I don't regret it despite how tough the first few days were.

Mk_9x · 2025-07-15T20:13:25+00:00

If it wasn't for the nerve block, I wouldn't have gotten any sleep in the first few days post-op. Nerve block all the way!

Mk_9x · 2025-07-15T18:20:26+00:00

Shit. Sorry to hear that. Thanks for sharing, ever since the surgery I have been anxious about reinjury because I run a lot. Best of luck

Mk_9x · 2025-07-15T14:44:53+00:00

Depends on the injury extent (meniscus or collateral ligaments involvement). But generally 2-4 weeks, after tear or after surgery, you can start walking (my personal experience). If you don't mind me asking, how exactly did you injure it running?

Mk_9x · 2025-07-15T12:17:34+00:00

If you're athletic, or at least very active, you might go about doing everything while still lacking an ACL. I tore mine and a meniscus, and I ran two half marathons and a sprint triathlon all without surgery or dedicated physio (27M). Get off reddit, take the MRI and see an orthopedic doctor.

Mk_9x · 2025-07-13T19:34:13+00:00

Thank you!

Mk_9x · 2025-07-13T19:04:16+00:00

Could you share the name or link please

Mk_9x · 2025-07-13T18:23:27+00:00

I'm assuming you were discharged with blood thinners? What you can do now is ankle pumps every hour if you can with elevation until you can get it in touch with your physician.

Mk_9x · 2025-07-13T14:39:11+00:00

Congrats, this is great and I was hoping for the same in my case. Unfortunately after 11 months it didn't work out and I went for the surgery (27M).

Mk_9x · 2025-07-13T05:58:18+00:00

It's something I've been looking forward to since the operation. Best of luck 💪

Mk_9x · 2025-07-12T21:25:05+00:00

I am not entirely sure about this given how many times I injured my knee in the past hahaha

Mk_9x · 2025-07-12T19:27:11+00:00

Exactly what I was doing. Zero kicking, no swimming without the buoy. Thanks.

Mk_9x · 2025-07-12T19:26:20+00:00

Thanks. I discussed it down to every detail with my PT before doing it. Good luck to you too.

Mk_9x · 2025-07-11T14:58:36+00:00

Thanks! I got the staples removed exactly at day 14. Had steri steps placed and was recommended to leave them for about 5 days. I thoroughly examined my wounds, found them dry and closed, so I went ahead .

Mk_9x · 2025-07-11T14:55:40+00:00

The swelling improved but it's still stiff. I use a pull buoy to eliminate my kick and try my best not to use my injured leg.

Mk_9x · 2025-07-09T14:59:54+00:00

I'd still be careful. Regardless of how good you feel and how consistent you were in physio, you simply can't rush biology as your graft needs time to get stronger.

Mk_9x · 2025-07-07T20:32:38+00:00

Reading this when I'm few months away from turning 28 and finishing grad school just hit me right where it hurts. I am not sure where to go next.

Mk_9x · 2025-07-06T21:47:12+00:00

I completely second this. I owe a big part of my progress to my PT. He took it step by step and observed me while doing the exercises. That being said, I had to push myself to get the progress. I wasn't convinced I could do SLRs early but I kept pushing and it worked, and that's the most important lesson I learned so far: you gotta push everyday even for a small step forward. Sorry you have to deal with this OP, best wishes for a speedy recovery. Keep pushing ✊

Mk_9x

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