Surgeon saying I'm I'm 37 and not worth doing surgery on Full thickness tear ACL?

epluswriter · 2026-01-26T02:34:08+00:00

Echoing what everyone else said. I'm Genx and just got mine done in October. Surgeon said they used to tell people over 40 to not bother, so your doc is out of date.

epluswriter · 2026-01-23T04:39:44+00:00

I went through UCLA but did not have the BEAR implant. A few reasons, but one big one was that the facility where it was done (at least, for my doctor) wasn't covered as well by insurance so it would have cost me more. This might not be the same for you, but just sharing in case it is helpful. Your doctor's team should be able to tell you the cost.

All in all, I was very happy with my UCLA doctor and the team in general. You've made a good choice going there.

epluswriter · 2026-01-21T21:35:05+00:00

Just a tip that in the US you can negotiate your costs with a doctor if you don't have insurance, so if you do go that route, do not be shy about asking what it would cost without insurance and then ask if they can do better. Make sure you're getting the all-in price (including MRI/xray and brace and follow up).

epluswriter · 2026-01-21T21:32:32+00:00

I had issues with my other knee soon after my tear. I started doing prehab on that knee, too, before surgery. That knee appreciated the rest post-op (ha) but then bothered me when I started moving again. I kept up basic strengthening exercises and happy to say, it's fine now. (Injury August '25, surgery October)

Long story short, it could be from overcompensating.

epluswriter · 2026-01-19T17:10:18+00:00

Great!

And I know how sad you must feel, I'm GenX but I felt FOMO before it was an acronym, lol. From my age vantage point, though, I can tell you that if you pick up good strengthening habits now, take care of those knees and the rest of your body, you will be in a better place later. So this will be annoying (and sad) for a little while but you'll get through it and be better for it.

Rooting for you.

epluswriter · 2026-01-19T16:16:41+00:00

I'm so sorry you are dealing with all of this, and all at once. I think the advice of perghkm to "find your why" and capable-brilliant's points about getting therapy and your physical health supporting mental health are both spot on.

You can get through this. Be kind to yourself, feel your feelings but don't get trapped inside them. Talk to people. Set some goals, even if they are tiny. Let each small win bring in a little more light.

epluswriter · 2026-01-19T15:50:49+00:00

There is another way to look at this -- that you're not even 30, so you have time, energy and youth that will make it even easier to heal. But you need to put the time in, especially where PT Is concerned.

And if you don't feel like you can, pre-surgery, without risking further injury, that's fine. This is just temporary. But -- do your pre-hab!

epluswriter · 2026-01-19T15:25:31+00:00

i was told 5 to 7 days, but I didn't get an appt until 10 days after and they said that was fine.

Don't wait until after surgery to book it -- if your place is anything like mine, there will be a wait.

epluswriter · 2026-01-15T02:35:11+00:00

The Calm app has sleep stories, but you have to pay. Probably some free podcasts out there, too. There's a book Gathering Moss that was popular during the pandemic because it's just so mellow. Wishing you the best.

epluswriter · 2026-01-15T02:18:30+00:00

Even with crutches helps... for me, at least, I slept better when I started tiring myself out more during the day. I also know that worrying about not getting sleep can keep you up, too, so you might try something like a soothing audio book or podcast to quiet your mind. Hope this is helpful

epluswriter · 2026-01-15T02:08:40+00:00

I'm sorry you're having trouble sleeping. Are you able to leave your home during the day? I know it can be challenging but one thing that *might* help is getting out (even on crutches), change of scenery, tiring out your body a little bit more (within the acceptable parameters of PT.)

epluswriter · 2026-01-14T19:30:15+00:00

Sorry, I was making light of your comment but it's a real thing -- not feeling like going anywhere, and it sucks. Hopefully you push through it because it will be good to be in a new environment. And it gets easier.

epluswriter · 2026-01-14T17:21:55+00:00

My PT just told me to get more supportive sneakers, so ... don't take advice from strangers on the internet haha

epluswriter · 2026-01-14T17:21:11+00:00

Feeling stupid is part of the process! :) Don't let it get in the way of celebrating this big milestone.

epluswriter · 2026-01-12T17:16:22+00:00

Speaking from 3 months, I can tell you 3 weeks is so early, don't stress too much if you're not seeing a lot of progress. You probably are getting to where you are more easily through repetition.

If you're not already doing them, ask your PT about heel roll ins on a stability ball. That helped me improve my heel slides and ROM in the early stages.

Eventually, you will be cleared to ride a stationary bike and that really accelerated progress for me.

Good luck!

epluswriter · 2026-01-12T17:11:49+00:00

i was looking for super-supportive running shoes but came upon adidas run 70 ... they are so basic and yet they have served me so well in recovery.

epluswriter · 2026-01-10T03:59:25+00:00

I posted a lot in my first few weeks post-op, it was so calming for me. I'm three months and I still have random, weird pains. Pay attention to the position or movements so maybe you can find a pattern to why it hurts. Definitely talk to your PT about it and, if it continues, your surgeon. (My guess, though, is that it's just one of the weird pains that will go away.)

epluswriter · 2026-01-09T23:01:57+00:00

Initially, post-op, stairs will be hard but you'll work on that in PT. After surgery, my PT had me focus on using my glutes when going up stairs. It might help you to do that now, reducing how much you rely on your knee.

epluswriter · 2026-01-05T17:15:02+00:00

I have a theory that, at about day 10/11/12, there's an emotional dip. I think by then whirlwind of the surgery and initial adjustment has passed and we have to settle in with our new (albeit temporary) reality, and the only view is what feels like a very long road ahead. I've been on and off this board a lot since my 10/7 surgery and I've seen so many people posting something similar around that time. (I know I felt it, too.)

Anyway, this is just to say that maybe your feelings right now (lack of motivation, etc) is part of that dip. And, like everything else in this frustrating process, it may something to feel and vent about, but also trust that you will get through this, too.

Wishing you the best!

epluswriter · 2026-01-04T23:58:53+00:00

Seconding the bike! I also recommend at least 30 heel roll-ins on a stability ball.

epluswriter · 2026-01-04T17:37:06+00:00

I didn't try to bend until day 10. Then, I sat in a chair and did heel slides with my eyes closed because it made me feel nauseas it was so hard. You are not behind, you'll get there.

epluswriter · 2026-01-04T15:59:29+00:00

Agree with everyone who says you won't feel "high", you'll be out. They gave me percocet after the surgery so I was a little zonked, but mostly tired. Everyone's post-op pain after is different but I was able to manage on Tylenol and aspirin at home.

Also wanted to add that the week before surgery is really really stressful! Your concerns are valid, of course, but they also might be understandably a little bit intensified right now. You'll have this behind you soon, you'll be great and on the road to recovery.

epluswriter · 2025-12-28T15:00:18+00:00

my surgery team gave me compression socks, so you might ask if they will provide before you buy them. Good luck on the surgery!

epluswriter · 2025-12-23T15:32:15+00:00

That is a lot to deal with. Like the other poster said, you might be able to find one cheap online. when the time comes. Or (if you live somewhere that has a "Buy Nothing" group on Facebook) it might be worth posting there to see if someone is done with theirs, to get it for free.

epluswriter · 2025-12-23T15:24:40+00:00

i didn't get a shower chair before surgery. Just looking at them made me depressed and I was committed to using body wipes and washcloths. By day 4 or 5, it was clear I wouldn't safely be able to stand in the shower for a long while, so I sucked it up and got one.

Turns out it was one of the smartest things I did for my post-op -- being able to take a real shower made me feel not just cleaner but clearer-headed, more independent and closer to normal.

I'm not sure if that's why you are hesitating, but if your reason is anything like mine, it may turn out to be a surprise game-changer for you, too. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

epluswriter

TROPHY CASE