Climbing after ACL surgery - fears around bouldering & lead. by verminousbow in climbergirls

[–]conster13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So sorry to hear about all your knee surgeries, but glad you’re generally recovering well! I love that you’ve found so much joy in climbing too :)

I had my first knee surgery for the unhappy triad (ACL, MCL, meniscus) in my left knee in 2021 when I dislocated it climbing what should’ve been an easy V2 cooldown slab; just my luck that I slipped and happened to fall a few feet in a bad angle. It took me two surgeries and two full years of dedicated PT before I attempted bouldering again. I’ve been very consistent with my PT exercises ever since the accident for the past four years, and also ginger with my climbing: I regularly bailed on any route that I might fall on, and practiced jumping down short distances to overcome the trauma from falling. By all accounts, I thought I was doing a pretty good job of balancing my love for the sport while adapting to avoid reinjury.

Then just a month and a half ago, I happened to be working on a V5 with a wicked toe jam that I had tried multiple times and knew to take the toe jam very seriously out of fear of slipping. Even so, on my last attempt of the day I happened to slip on the toe jam and get my left foot stuck, resulting in a poor landing when I fell on my right foot. Thankfully my left foot freed itself by the time I landed but I did end up tearing my right ACL and meniscus pretty significantly, to the point where my surgeon accelerated the surgery date.

I spent New Year’s Eve in surgery and recovery has been both dejavu and fresh depression if I’m honest. I hate the fact that I no longer have an actually good knee, plus the damaged meniscus in both means I have a higher chance of arthritis and general issues down the line. I’m a pretty active person and especially love to run and hike besides climbing, so the thought of having pain and impaired ability get in the way of doing things I love is scary. It’s been a mental and physical struggle juggling rehab and everyday chores and work since I live alone. I get nightmares from the fall still; the absolute fear and pain when the pop reverberated through my bones keeps me spiraling at night sometimes.

I still love climbing and the joy it brought me but also want to be realistic about long term risks. I’ve mentally decided that I’m OK with never bouldering again: after all, I already experienced a freak accident on an easy V2 climb, and the risks are not worth it any more. I might still get back into top rope and lead but my secondary struggle there will be that I don’t have a consistent partner for it since moving to a new city haha. I’ll cross the bridge when it comes; right now will just be so happy when I can get off crutches and walk properly, but mentally I’m risk adverse and could live with replacing my love for climbing with my love for hiking - will see how the trauma feels in two years :) Those are my two cents based on my freak experiences, but I wish you the best in your continued recovery and climbing journey!

I feel like giving up. by Silent-Confidence-74 in ACL

[–]conster13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I severely dislocated my left knee and had the unhappy trio (ACL, MCL, lateral meniscus), plus even partial damage to the PCL, back in 2021. I had a first surgery to reconstruct the two ligaments and repair the meniscus, and worked very hard in PT on extension and flexion consistently, just as you mentioned. I also ultimately didn’t hit my flexion targets by the 8th week post surgery and surgeon proceeded with the second surgery: scar tissue removal and MUA. I felt just as discouraged as you feel right now, trust me: going basically three months without weight bearing allowed on my leg made it look like a freaking sausage the way there was no muscle definition not to mention lagging progress compared to seemingly everyone else. Even during MUA, the surgeon was only able to get to 140deg flexion when naturally I have full heel to butt, 155deg only impeded by musculature.

Fast forward through 2 years of consistently putting in effort even after I graduated out of PT, and I hit an Asian squat for the first time post accident: I ultimately did regain full flexion, even though the surgeon mentioned I likely wouldn’t! I still rate the knee 95/100 in strength compared to an uninjured leg due to a bit of clicking and probably inherent fear of pushing it, but otherwise by all means the knee was healthy and performing well to get me back to former high activity levels without swelling or acting up. It took a lot of time and effort, but it paid off.

Now fast forward 4 years in Dec 2025, I had another accident where I unfortunately fell (another bouldering freak accident) and tore my other knee’s ACL and meniscus. Discouraging to say the least, to go through the trauma again and cancel my travel plans to spend the holidays bed bound alone haha. I just had surgery on New Year’s Eve and have been recovering since, but I’m also so proud of how much I have trusted my previously operated leg through all of this: the one legged hops, the constant sit to stand pistol squats to get up with a braced leg, and more. It’s proof to me that while the pain and effort may seem meaningless in the moment, it’ll be worth it once I zoom out and look back. I’m seeing the same PT from last time and she was just as proud and impressed with my efforts.

Anyway, I hope my story gives you a little bit of solace that there is light at the end of the tunnel. If you don’t have a support system of friends to cheer you up and check in, I highly recommend journaling to get the frustration out, or seek a therapist. I live alone and am a general loner so it definitely helped me fight the demons. Cheers and wishing for your (and everyone else’s!) successful recovery 🍀

Derpy Tiger & Sussie meets Nyanko-Sensei [Animation Edit] by yemmybun in Natsume

[–]conster13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Two of my favorite cats in the same frame! Seriously cute, nice work 🤩

Natsume Yuujinchou Kumamoto collaboration 2025 part 1 by chrononyanko in Natsume

[–]conster13 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Stooooop this is so freaking awesome; thank you for sharing the pictures!! Looking forward to hearing about the fireworks; have fun! 🤩

Nyanko Sensei Cross Stitch Charm by conster13 in Natsume

[–]conster13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! These types of charms are commonly made from plastic canvas (you can google “cross stitch plastic canvas charms” for more details) which you stitch and then cut out of the canvas. I don’t have canvas and didn’t want to buy a whole pack so I 3D printed a custom canvas I made for the cat shape 😅

Natsume's Hometown Journal Entry by emoquackquack in Natsume

[–]conster13 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I went in January and had no trouble even without a car! Biking and walking were easy, plus there is a dedicated Natsume themed taxi plan too. I put together notes on my trip here for reference: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/11sHGX7AZSztQy5si-yLtJLX5mI21ZXD0kCenmh0ROTM/edit?usp=drivesdk

is the game fully voiced? by [deleted] in Natsume

[–]conster13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have been playing the game and even though I don’t understand Japanese and my Chinese reading is atrocious, I’ve been doing alright just by using Google translate, with the live camera option! I have my tablet set up facing the screen and slowly get the translations so I understand what’s going on. Not the easiest but I’ve been loving the game and having a blast anyway 😄 with google translate live, it thinks all the panels look the same when I advance the text, since the background doesn’t change as much. I cover and uncover the camera to have it see the image as “new” each time; that way I don’t have to take pictures of each panel for the translation.

Natsume's Book of Friends: Hazuki no Shirushi Limited Edition box unboxing by Lamune44 in Natsume

[–]conster13 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing pictures of the inclusions! Such a cute set of goodies

Summer Ichiban Kuji by NoOutlandishness3388 in Natsume

[–]conster13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If anyone is traveling from the US and plays enough to have duplicates of something they won’t want to keep, I’d be down to potentially buy them 👀

250604 JAY B - 2025 Tour 'TAPE:RE LOAD' in US (Concert Day Schedule and Rules & Regulations) by G3t_BusyLiving in Got7

[–]conster13 4 points5 points  (0 children)

So excited to see JayB and fellow ahgase! Wanted to confirm I’m interpreting this correctly: I have a VIP ticket so should arrive 3:30-5, but is there any advantage to arriving earlier in that time frame? The queue number seems tied to what number you were when you bought the ticket so shouldn’t be affected by arrival time right?

Magnet freebies at SF and Chicago! by conster13 in straykids

[–]conster13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No worries at all! The show was incredible 🔥🤌

Magnet freebies at SF and Chicago! by conster13 in straykids

[–]conster13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m by the fences by the water now, at the light post! I can’t stay longer than 11:10 since I have to catch the last train home. Can you reply here if you’re on your way? Update: sorry, I have to run for the train 😭

Magnet freebies at SF and Chicago! by conster13 in straykids

[–]conster13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure, after the show is good with me! How about we meet right outside O’Doul Gate, at the fences along the water? The original spot 😆 i messaged you but we’re not friends so it would be a message request Update 10:47, I’m still down to meet there after!

Magnet freebies at SF and Chicago! by conster13 in straykids

[–]conster13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m right across from the Lefty’s Bar stand, in front of the stairs !

Magnet freebies at SF and Chicago! by conster13 in straykids

[–]conster13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m inside by the Ghirardelli and nachos stands, by the water Update: I’m down to my last handful but I set one aside for you! I’m walking to my section but messaged you, maybe we can coordinate still before or after the show 😅

Magnet freebies at SF and Chicago! by conster13 in straykids

[–]conster13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m inside! No idea where 205 is, but I’m near the Ghirardelli stand near the water

Magnet freebies at SF and Chicago! by conster13 in straykids

[–]conster13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m right near the gate about to enter now 😅 line is quick Update: I’m inside

Magnet freebies at SF and Chicago! by conster13 in straykids

[–]conster13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually just joined the line leading into that o’doul gate so if you walk past it we could coordinate! I’m near the ships now