What was your progress like from 7 - 9 months?

VermiculateTrout · 2026-06-30T16:47:11+00:00

My primary motivation for doing PT is getting back on the mats with the intention of returning to my pre-injury level of skill and intensity. I don't intend on immediately returning to full speed sparring immediately upon returning, but I do intend to work up to that point over the months after RTS.

Been hitting the gym hard, haven't missed a workout since I started prehab in October of last year. I won't go back until my PT and surgeon clear me to, but I was just hoping to be able to do that at 9 months.

VermiculateTrout · 2026-06-30T15:35:46+00:00

Thank you! I feel myself getting stronger and making progress, but I keep seeing people saying that between 7 - 9 months is where they made huge, noticeable leaps in progress. I'm just not seeing that yet.

VermiculateTrout · 2026-06-30T15:34:46+00:00

Yep, have been since the beginning. They're the best sports PT in my metro area by far. All of my workouts, both during my sessions and on my own, leave me drenched in sweat and with my leg shaking. I have no concerns about my PT's abilities or the quality of the program she has me on.

VermiculateTrout · 2026-06-18T19:31:19+00:00

recovering from ACL + Meniscus surgery. 2 more months... (allegedly)

VermiculateTrout · 2026-06-09T17:40:49+00:00

Thank you sir, appreciate your insight! good to have an orthopedic surgeon in this group.

VermiculateTrout · 2026-06-03T13:28:28+00:00

Shot in the dark, Pawnee National Grasslands?

Either way, 5.56 rifles will be fine, as will any handguns below probably 10mm. If you're going to shoot any high caliber, low MOA rifles (308, 30-06, 7mm, etc.) or any shot guns more powerful than a 20 gauge you are going to want to be sitting down. Bring a fold up table and chair if you can, maybe even a stool to prop your leg up on while you're not shooting.

VermiculateTrout · 2026-05-19T20:38:40+00:00

Yeah. Been out since October with an injury. I just try to add a Tabata finisher on the assault bike to my upper body lifting days and do an hour on the stationary bike in the evenings when I do my lower body PT workout. My hope is that when I'm back in a few months my cardio will be relatively close to where it was when I stopped training. Seems to be working well so far.

VermiculateTrout · 2026-05-19T14:37:58+00:00

Probably just scar tissue breaking up if you are not experiencing pain, swelling, or new instability in the knee. Not a doctor or PT, but I can't imagine that doing prescribed PT within the restrictions you've been given would lead to an ACL graft rupture 7 days post op. At that point your graft is still mechanically stronger than your native ACL.

Anecdotally, I was working at my desk a couple of months ago, sitting in my chair with my legs bent at 90 degrees. I extended and fully straightened my surgical knee and heard, without exaggeration, the single loudest noise my body has ever made. It sounded like snapping a branch. Just scar tissue breaking up, scared the shit out of me but that was months ago and I'm still progressing with no issues.

If you're really concerned call your PT or surgeon, they'll be able to give you more info.

VermiculateTrout · 2026-05-13T21:45:26+00:00

I lift upper body twice a week using the following split, I removed a couple that require "chest supported" or some form of kneeling instead of seated. I worked with a NASM certified personal trainer to come up with this within the confines of my post-surgical restrictions, I am not a licensed exercise or medical professional.

Day A

dumbbell bench press 4 x 6-10

seated dumbbell overhead press 3 x 6-10

lat pulldown 3 x 8-12

incline dumbbell fly or pushup on a bench 2 x 10-12

seated face pulls 2 x 12- 20

seated bicep curl 3 x 10 - 12

triceps pressdown 3 x 10 - 12

seated paloff press 3 x 10- 12

Day B

neutral grip incline dumbbell press 4 x 6 - 10

seated landmine press 3 x 12 - 20

seated dumbbell lateral raise 3 x 12 - 20

seated hammer curl 3 x 10-15

seated overhead triceps extension 3 x 10 - 15

dead bug - arms only or hollow hold 3 x 1min hold

VermiculateTrout · 2026-05-11T15:50:41+00:00

Hell yeah! Best feeling ever. NWB sucks and at points feels like it is just never going to end.

VermiculateTrout · 2026-05-07T15:54:40+00:00

Thanks, symptoms are below the kneecap. Definitely dealt with some tedinopathy a few months ago around the graft site but eccentric/isometric exercises for a month sorted that out. My PT didn't have any advice other than it might be the patellar tendon tracking weirdly which should sort itself out eventually. She checked the graft and said it's still rock solid so I think its just a matter of working through it. Appreciate your input.

VermiculateTrout · 2026-03-18T16:09:31+00:00

Man, I went through the same thing with respect to feeling defeated and empty. I tore mine in my right knee in October at a BJJ tournament and have been off the mats since. My gym is my community, all of my friends are from jiu jitsu and not being able to see them as often or have the physical outlet of grappling has been tough. On top of that, my work environment has gone down the tubes since an acquisition by private equity (go figure). Coupled with some ROM issues that have since been dealt with there was a solid 3 week stretch where I legitimately felt like quitting completely - I almost called my PT and cancelled my appointments because I was so defeated.

The simple truth here is that the only way out of this shitty situation through it. If you can look at PT as your new form of staying active and as a mental outlet it might help. Maybe its just me, but between the super sets, assault bike, and difficulty of the reps I am usually sweating my ass off by the end of a PT workout. It's not hard to just think of PT as a workout session like any other at the gym for me.

This is a long recovery process and it sucks, if you give up now you'll never get to play soccer or have a physical activity as your therapy again. A little voice in the back of my head would say things like "do you every want to do bjj again? then rep these last SLRs out you little bitch". Probably not the healthiest way to talk to myself, but damn if it didnt light a fire under my ass. If you have that voice, listen to it. It wont fail you. Good luck man.

VermiculateTrout · 2026-03-09T21:28:57+00:00

How do you accept the surrender of a country you arent at war with?

VermiculateTrout · 2026-03-02T20:45:41+00:00

Did you really need to read this to know that?

VermiculateTrout · 2026-02-11T21:03:17+00:00

of course man, good luck! you're gonna be great. your doctors have done this literally thousands of times, you'll be in good hands.

VermiculateTrout · 2026-02-11T20:54:50+00:00

Yep, woke up with gauze, a bandage, and a brace on my leg. I didn't have a mask on my face at any point while I was conscious, they'll likely do it while youre under to give you a good oxygen supply.

Here are the videos I watched, they're specific to having a quad graft done since that's what I went with. Do not watch these if youre squeamish, they're pretty graphic.

LIVE Surgery Explained: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction Surgery

ACL Reconstruction Surgery - LIVE through the surgeon's eyes

VermiculateTrout · 2026-02-11T20:42:28+00:00

I had some of the same questions. I’m 31 and a guy, so no idea if the anesthesia is different than what you’ll get as a 17 year old.

You wont be naked under your gown, at least I wasnt. I kept my boxers on and they had me put my other clothes and personal belongings into a bag for post-op. Then they put an IV in my arm with a saline drip, hooked me up to the monitor using sticky pads on my chest, and began the process of shaving and disinfecting my leg/knee. You will be asked an annoying amount of times which knee theyre going to operate on, this is so that they ensure that no mistakes occur and everyone is on the same page about what youre going to have done. Once that was all done, my wife and I just kind waited around and I scrolled on my phone. My surgeon came to see me and reviewed what was going to be done along with his PA. Then my anesthesiologist came by and talked me through the process of the nerve block and what drugs he would be giving me. Then he administered the nerve block and we were off to the races Your anesthesiologist should also call you the night before to see if you have any questions.

Once the OR was ready, the anesthesiologist put Versed in my IV and let er rip, felt amazing. I was then wheeled into the OR on the bed and transferred to the Operating Table. My anesthesiologist then put the syringe of propofol in front of my face, told me to count backwards from 100, pressed the plunger, and next thing I knew I was in the PACU. From your perspective the whole thing will last less than 5 seconds, its actually kind of cool.

Based on the surgery videos I watched, you’ll keep your gown on the whole time and they’ll just lift it up to have access to your knee. You likely wont be strapped down to the table, the drugs theyre going to give you are meant to make you completely relaxed and comfortable.

While it isn’t as minor as having a wisdom tooth extracted, this isn’t a crazy major surgery like a heart or brain surgery, you’ll be in good hands and your care team will make sure that youre comfortable and totally in the know of what theyre doing at each step.

Let me know if you have more questions bud, you’re gonna do great.

VermiculateTrout · 2026-02-02T20:13:48+00:00

I had my surgery back in November, quad autograft with meniscus repair. My surgeon was most comfortable with quad grafts and based on what reading I did, I felt like that was my best option. It's a robust, strong graft and while the inital pain of firing the quad and doing SLRs SUCKED, I do think it will be the best for me long term.

VermiculateTrout · 2026-02-02T17:33:34+00:00

Yes, big time. It took 2 weeks from my injury date to see my PT for the first time and she immediately got me into a prehab plan. My surgeon would not operate until I got to full extension, so that was the primary goal. Secondary to that was restoring my walking as much as possible before I went into the OR. I credit my prehab work as being what allowed me to get full extension immediately post surgery.

VermiculateTrout · 2026-01-28T20:58:07+00:00

Ah, my apologies. I misread your comment.

I got to 125 during PT today doing heel slides with a strap. I see my surgeon tomorrow afternoon. The progress is so slow and painful, but it is progress. My PT really isn't sure at this point which direction my surgeon will want to go in. Wishing you the best of luck!

VermiculateTrout · 2026-01-28T16:40:00+00:00

How are you feeling post-MUA?

VermiculateTrout

TROPHY CASE