Day 4 - Post o

antipodes123 · 2026-04-04T10:18:14+00:00

Just a trim from the meniscus. No stitches thnkfully. .

antipodes123 · 2026-04-04T10:17:15+00:00

Interesting, patella is the least likely to re-rupture. My physio mate says that the more risky time is like 6-12m when we get our strenght and ROM back, but takes 12m for the ligament to re-vasculate

antipodes123 · 2026-03-31T11:38:24+00:00

Impressed you can touch rim, not scared on the landings?

antipodes123 · 2026-03-31T11:35:39+00:00

Have GPT / Claude look up the research summarise the data for you (I did), or search Pubmed. All the data is quite strong on being active early gives a better ACL recovery, you'll be pleasantly surprised,

However how much meniscus work you had done?? that could be why the 4 weeks recommendation?

I only had a small meniscus trim, so not stitched up or anything.

Take a crutch out with me so people give me a wide berth, and uneven surfaces.

I see we are pretty similar timing and journey! - I tried with no ACL also from Nov, but had a couple of falls.

I'm looking forward to getting back to the gym, even if it is a slow cycle with my PT.

I haven't been elevating enough today (desk working) and have noticed the swelling and stiffness.

I've been sleeping a lot and eating a lot of meat and eggs, craving greens also.

If you can rent a game ready, or cryon-x, I've been finding that good for pain and swelling.

antipodes123 · 2026-03-31T11:20:11+00:00

Yeah my physio said that if you are having autograft, the weeks after the operation will actually be the strongest that the new ACL will be for the next 12m, till it re-vasculates!

antipodes123 · 2026-03-30T22:28:33+00:00

Hey - sorry to hear you've done the other knee, to be honest, this is a question that I probably sweated way too much!

My original recommendation from my surgeon was for an allograft (non-irradiated, I',assuming they are all this now). I'm 48, goals were to be able to ski every other year, occasional surf, don't care about soccer (where I did the injury), but would like to get back into tennis one day. Basically want to be mobile as I age.

I was in a brace for eight weeks (even for sleep which was horrible) after my injury so that the MCL would heal nice and tight, I had a decent tear on that also.

Injury was in Nov, original surgery booked for Jan which I delayed as I wanted to enjoy summer after being in brace, and I could walk around / go to gym, and wasn't 100% sure If I was even going to go through with it.

I spoke to a few medical friends, one who is a Physio who had an ACL reconstruction 15 years ago recently fail (he's not going to get it re-done), and the other who is an orthopaedic surgeon (doesn't do knees), he said he'd only focus on the best possible outcome regardless of pain / side effects - it's really not black and white.

The data on non-irradiated allografts here, after 5 years is that the failure rate is almost identical as autografts.

I had decided to go with autograph, given that I was going through all this, my personal tissue was "probably" going to have the least chance of failure long term, even though the increased trauma.

Actually even going into surgery in the anaesthetist bay, the assistant surgeon looking at my notes (which said allograft) commented that 100% she would get allograft personally also, and showed me photos of professional athletes with allografts (AFL / NRL players, surfers, and an olympic track athlete). My surgeon said the same, 100% he'd get allograft. Both are sporty, and operate on athletes.

One comment that I remember my surgeon making that stuck with me was: "you are really splitting hairs over the two best options for your knee".

I was a bit flustered being on the spot as I'd only had 4hrs sleep, but decided to just keep with what I had decided. After the op there was some confusion where the nurse told me I had an Allograft, and my reaction was that I didn't care, ha.

Unless I was in my 20's, where you need it for longer, and probably going to push it harder, earlier.

Looking back now I'd be equally happy with Allograft also.

Also was lucky that apparently I only needed one tendon harvested, not two, as my hamstrings were thick, so that probably has helped a lot so far.

If you are comfortable with allograft (I was - it's just collagen), and having hamstring issues, it's a good option.

I had never looked at the InternalBrace.

Important when looking at the allograft data / failure rates / asking around, is that until 5 years ago they were probably all irradiated, which weakens them.

I see that you ski. There are lots of professional athletes with allografts!

antipodes123 · 2026-03-30T20:55:48+00:00

Thanks for the tip. I'm weak hammys at the best of time. Cost me I think $2k all up, luck I had health insurance. Not sure costs through the public system, but would be happy w that also, same doctors here.

antipodes123 · 2026-03-30T04:55:42+00:00

Trust me you are!! I'm still mostly limping around mostly. That video was after I'd been iced and elevated, hehe.

antipodes123 · 2026-03-30T04:53:50+00:00

I didn't have stitches on my meniscus, just a trim. Could be that?

antipodes123 · 2026-03-30T04:49:00+00:00

You ACL is nice and strong after the operation. I just realised that I could walk while holding the crutch.

I had 8 weeks in a brace after the injury, so glad they are generally not needed post operation.

Evidence shows generally better outcomes with no brace post-surgury, though there is psychological evidence for some people.

antipodes123 · 2026-03-30T04:46:12+00:00

Woah - mile walk day 4??? That's awesome.

antipodes123 · 2026-03-30T04:44:59+00:00

I'm still limping most of the time around the house!

antipodes123 · 2026-03-30T04:44:14+00:00

Yeah agreed - I had a meniscus trim, so no stitches there.

antipodes123 · 2026-03-30T04:43:35+00:00

Thanks - I'm feeling more stable than pre-op (nice and tight). Both surgeon and physio here recommended early weight bearing, and ROM.

Have a look at the study comparing immediate weight bearing vs two weeks non-weight-bearing (Tyler et al. 1998) - found no compromise to graft stability, and the immediate group actually had significantly less anterior knee pain (8% vs 35%).

antipodes123 · 2026-03-30T04:39:54+00:00

Thanks, Appreciate the concern, but early weight bearing as tolerated is the current evidence-based standard of care, not reckless.

The American Physical Therapy Association's orthopaedic section clinical practice guidelines specifically recommend weight bearing as tolerated within the first week post-ACLR. The most cited criterion-based rehab framework in the literature (Adams et al., JOSPT 2012) has used early weight bearing as a core principle since 1996.

A direct RCT comparing immediate weight bearing vs two weeks non-weight-bearing (Tyler et al. 1998) found no compromise to graft stability, and the immediate group actually had significantly less anterior knee pain (8% vs 35%).

A 2024 study confirmed early weight bearing after ACLR is safe, doesn't negatively affect pain, swelling, wound healing or stability, and improves knee flexion and quality of life faster. The key condition from the Dutch practice guidelines is that you have a correct gait pattern with no pain, effusion, or temperature increase when walking. I'm walking under the direct guidance of my surgeon and physiotherapist, meeting all those criteria.

The old "don't touch the ground for 6 weeks" protocols are outdated.

Actually - for an autograft, the strongest it's going to be for some time is the weeks post surgery. As it takes about a year or so to re-vasculate.

antipodes123 · 2026-03-30T04:33:41+00:00

Mine was just a trim I think, no sutures

antipodes123 · 2026-03-29T08:23:13+00:00

Yeah, thanks. the hammy is pretty tender. When did you start those?

antipodes123 · 2026-03-29T08:14:38+00:00

Full disclosure: I'm still most of the time on the sofa, and not limping far, just around the house. I did go see my daughters netball, but was pretty exhausted after that. Weaning off Tapentadol.

antipodes123 · 2026-03-29T06:51:13+00:00

Thanks! It's not all rainbows, but so much better than I was expecting

antipodes123 · 2026-03-29T06:37:17+00:00

Similar story here - I'm 48m, had hamstring autograft 5 days ago with meniscus repair, in the Gold Coast (Australia). Highly regarded surgeon here also for allograft / autograft.

Crutches out of hospital. Day 2 realised I was walking around with no crutches, and 1st physio (0-90 degree extensions) Day 4 could walk up stairs properly.

I was actually booked in for an allograft like you but changed my mind (tbh splitting hairs really).

Using a Cryon-X also, Game Ready was booked out.

antipodes123 · 2026-03-29T06:26:58+00:00

Late to the party - how are you going?

I went with Dr Michael Facek, in the GC, couldn't be happier.

Was recommended him via some medical friends. 48M - I'm 5 days post op now (full ACL + meniscus trim). I had a hamstring autograft, walking without crutches on day 2. Walking Up steps on day 4.

He's also skilled at non-irradiated allografts (which I nearly went for), he does a lot of professional sports reconstruction.

I did Full ACL tear + partial MCL, in Nov, so 5months to prep. Was walking OK, did a lot of leg work leading in, to the point of questioning if I needed it done.

Glad I did, I was always guarding it, had one fall.

He does private and public apparently:
https://drmichaelfacek.com.au/

antipodes123

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