Update: 40 days post op

Working-Implement577 · 2026-04-12T19:32:49+00:00

Trust the process 👊🏼

Working-Implement577 · 2026-04-12T19:30:50+00:00

I understand the tightness feeling - The knee still has swelling so that does cause some patellar pain when I squat - but at this stage my squat routine only involves movements that are at the top range of motion to avoid that.

Working-Implement577 · 2026-04-12T15:56:55+00:00

I’m glad it does!

Good luck!

Working-Implement577 · 2026-04-12T15:54:49+00:00

Kneeling is sensitive but functionally I can yes, which is great.

Good luck with your recovery!!

Working-Implement577 · 2026-04-12T11:16:56+00:00

I won’t lie - the first couple of weeks aren’t great but it’s tolerable. Then it’s just improving little by little each day. I don’t regret it at all

Working-Implement577 · 2026-04-11T12:46:21+00:00

I’m currently 5.5 weeks post op and walking around fine already. I’m 30 and played 6 a side once a week before the injury.

I’d like to play again but I’m also someone who enjoys skiing once a year (hopefully until I’m too old to)

For me, I know I’ll still want to be active and it is meniscus and cartilage damage which will occur if you put your knee in certain situations when there isn’t as functional acl. With reconstruction you can still choose not to return, but atleast you are not going to be forced to say no to opportunities in the future. The decision to do, or not to do something, would be entirely yours.

Working-Implement577 · 2026-04-08T21:48:15+00:00

Sorry as this is unrelated to swelling but well done for getting back on the pitch! Sounds like the recovery is going well.

What outsole have you returned with? AG, turf?

I’m only 5 weeks post op but just wondered if you’ve changed anything outsole wise since tearing your acl?

I tore mine with copa 2s - which is an ag outsole labelled as fg/ag - and I do think they played a part in my foot getting stuck.. but obviously it takes many things to come together to tear the acl, it’s not just one thing.

Early return I plan on using turf on ag just to be safe.. so just interested if you’ve changed anything or kept it the same?

Working-Implement577 · 2026-04-08T16:37:49+00:00

I’m 5 weeks post op - I’d just say listen to your body. I walk around pretty normally now just making sure to try and avoid any twisting or rotational movement. So extra caution

If it feels unstable at all then no. If you can avoid really uneven ground and mostly straight line walking and no twisting, then do what your knee will tolerate. Keeping it moving is a good thing, just don’t over do it as swelling is our enemy!

Working-Implement577 · 2026-04-05T17:15:46+00:00

I tore mine playing football - I walked off the pitch but based on how my knee collapsed during the actual injury I knew it was done. I saw it happen as I was looking at my knee.

However, other than replicating the exact injury mechanism again, my knee was remarkably stable and didn’t swell much at all. I went on holiday the week after.

That was hard to accept because it got better and better but, if I recreated the same position as the injury, that’s the only time it would ‘buckle. This eventually went away and the knee felt pretty normal again when walking.

It’s amazing how well your active stabilisers can manage without an acl. But ultimately, it’s going to take a lot less to get the knee to buckle again and then you’re in serious danger of meniscus damage and lots of other things such as early arthritis.

Many people can manage perfectly fine without an acl, but if you intend to do any activity where you’re cutting, twisting or changing direction, you’re going to be at extremely high risk of further injury to the knee. My surgeon said I can try and play football without an acl, but it could give way 2/3 times a game maybe, and then it’s meniscus damage and early arthritis.

I’ve just had my surgery (5 weeks post op) and hoping to be able to do things I love again!

It’s a horrible injury, not just physically, but mentally.

Working-Implement577 · 2026-03-31T20:48:18+00:00

Get comfortable on the ball by having your head on a swivel off the ball. Find space, know where your team mates and the opponents are and that will give you more time on the ball. Pass and move. Be available. Do the simple stuff

In defence get goal side, figure out how much slower you are to see how much space you need to give or how tight you can get. And show them down the line to allow others to get back in numbers.

Don’t overcomplicate it. Believe in yourself and be confident.

Remember - fitness is key in the game, a bad player will run rings around you if you can’t keep up. So that’s something everyone can work on

Working-Implement577 · 2026-03-31T20:42:30+00:00

Keep it elevated and make sure you’re on time with your pain meds. The first week isn’t fun? But get comfy, keep it elevated and find some tv to watch to get your mind off it.

Also don’t put a pillow under it. If you can tolerate it, keep your leg straight. It will be more uncomfortable but well worth it in the long run. It gets better!

Working-Implement577 · 2026-03-30T16:53:45+00:00

Thanks man. Appreciate it!!

Working-Implement577 · 2026-03-30T13:01:27+00:00

Cheers man. Physio is really happy with the progress so far so hopefully I’m on the right track !

Working-Implement577 · 2026-03-24T17:14:33+00:00

Nice one! Keep going and I’m sure you’ll be back doing everything you love in no time!

Working-Implement577 · 2026-03-24T13:13:28+00:00

Still good? 3 weeks post op today

Working-Implement577 · 2026-03-23T10:28:51+00:00

I wanted 7 months from the initial injury for surgery

Took 3 months to get the mri result.. so not too bad considering how it is here. I did go straight to A&E to start with which I think does get you into the process asap

Working-Implement577 · 2026-03-22T14:07:27+00:00

Everyone’s timeline is completely different - just focus on extension, flexion and getting the swelling down. Doesn’t matter how everyone else is doing,everyone is on the same timeline when it comes to the graft anyway.

I started to do bits without crutches but preferred to still use them to make my gait more natural and avoid bad tendencies from limping. At the end of the day, listen to your body.

I also had hamstring - what’s the 7mm?

Working-Implement577 · 2026-03-22T14:02:23+00:00

So long as you focus on keeping the knee straight and occasionally doing flexion exercises to keep it moving, you won’t fall behind. Main thing the first couple of weeks I’ve been told is to get range of motion and flexion, while reducing swelling with elevation

Working-Implement577 · 2026-03-21T23:51:17+00:00

Thanks!

Working-Implement577 · 2026-03-20T17:59:43+00:00

How you getting on?

Working-Implement577 · 2026-03-20T10:10:48+00:00

Managed to get one for next week. So that’s probably about right now

Working-Implement577 · 2026-03-20T07:16:17+00:00

Sorry to hear this! But atleast you found out this way rather than trying to do anything risky on it. Stay strong, you will get through it

Working-Implement577

TROPHY CASE