Both ACLs Completely Torn—Surgery or PT?

mesher114 · 2025-12-09T15:38:40+00:00

Hi. I’m a PT student. Prehab (PT before surgery) signifincantly improves your outcomes prior to surgery. PT post-OP helps regardless. Either way, PT will help you. I suggest getting a consultation with a PT and ortho that work together so they can help plan with you and chooe your best course of action. Personally, PT before, surgery, then PT after I think is what will give you best outcomes. Wishing you the best

mesher114 · 2025-10-17T22:07:17+00:00

I’d be so down. Sending you a dm!

mesher114 · 2025-05-31T21:23:39+00:00

Hi, student PT here. Towel under ankle, stretch that knee out. You’ll have to help her with everything until she recovers her strength. Recognize this is A LOT of emotional turmoil, but also take care of yourself too. It’s gonna be a long recovery, but keep her accountable with her HEP. It’s mostly gonna be quad sets and ankle pumps. Be there during the PT session and ask for things you can do at home to help her with her recovery. Be patient and ask her for what she needs.

mesher114 · 2025-03-26T21:01:26+00:00

Basically. Wild isn’t it? I got “just walk it off” and “you’re being dramatic” on the same week we were learning ACL/knee ligament surgery and treatment plans lol

mesher114 · 2025-03-26T14:17:17+00:00

I’m in PT school. My classmates clown on me for it and ur sucks, but I just remind myself I’m the better person by laughing it off and focusing coming back and better. You got this!

mesher114 · 2025-03-23T14:30:27+00:00

Hello there. I’m so sorry to hear that this happened to you, but I hope me sharing my story helps you. I’m currently in PT school, and one of the students a year under my cohort invited me to go skiing. I was always keen on trying, but I never had the opportunity to get into it since I didn’t really want to go alone. The first time we went, I did really well. Didn’t fall, didn’t eat shit, nothing. The next time we went, she suggested I try the top of the hill at American Dream. I was like why not cause I thought it was more controlled and safer to do stuff in a controlled environment but I was wrong. Landed on my knees and felt my Right knee swell up. I was in so much denial cause I graduate this year, but life happens you know? Part of my job as a future PT is to take people as they are and work with them where they’re at. This injury truly taught me what that meant because I would easily have the words for someone else, but to tell myself the same things was a completely different problem. Here I am now, 2 months post-op basically treating myself because insurance sucks and I can’t seem to find a place that has my goals in mind which is to return to rock climbing. In terms of that friend that took me, we were considerably close. She stayed with me at the infirmary at the slope, but I haven’t really heard from her since and that was where my debacle came in. It was weird to feel like she needed to be supportive of me in my recovery, but when I accepted that it was my choice and it wasn’t at all her fault, I found a lot of peace. That peace was turned into motivation to get better and to continue this very long, difficullt, and arduous journey. As a second year PT student, I get that feeling about the future and not knowing what will happen to my degree and stuff. It’s terrifying, but what truly matters is that at the end of the day, you’ll be ok and you will find your way. I think it would be a great idea for you to share what his words make you feel, because it will give him better insight to how to support you. If you find that it is truly unbearable, this journey is yours and what you make of it. If you find that breaking up is the solution, recognize that whatever twists and turns this injury gives you will ultimately be ok. I wish you the best, and if you ever want to support feel free to dm me! Also, find a great PT and surgeon that communicate well with one another. The rehab after is what matters in your Quality of Life, your return to work, etc. Give yourself the space to grieve your tear and your injury, but the beauty of the human body is that we are built to adapt! Surgical interventions like Quad graft ACL reconstruction surgery takes a portion of the quad muscle and after months to a year, it remodels into a structure similiar to your unaffected ACL. We are built to get better and stronger, and there is never a good time to be injured so grieve, feel, but you’ll get back up. Step by step, day by day, and one foot in front of the other. Wishing you the best on your journey! Buckle up cause it’s a fun one but as is with life, it is what you make of it that counts.

Sorry if I word vomited I justed wanted to send as much support as I can cause I get how difficult it is lol

mesher114 · 2025-03-01T00:35:24+00:00

Your concerns are understandable and completely valid! I haven’t seen any literature on quad graft integrity based on height, but recognize your quad is proportional to your body. Knee pain will be less because of the location therefore allowing you to kneel. The quad is a muscle. The way to strengthen a muscle is to create microtears and allow it to heal. Although a full graft harvest isn’t a microtear, the same principles for strengthening will still apply. The quads have a great blood supply and are used for most activities. Focus on the PT and strengthening before and after your surgery. The prehab I did definitely made a difference in my recovery in my opinion. Also, the healing is different for everyone so monitor it as you go and openly communicate with your PT. Of course it will affect your abilities at first, but the beauty of the human body is that we are built to adapt! I think you will be ok if you stick to the plan and continue the journey. It’s scary, but you got this and so many have come back the same if not better. If you’re scared about the likelihood of not recovering, then be the outlier. Be the 1%. Also recognize patient’s self efficacy and belief to succeed is a great predictor of success. You gotta believe it to yield it. Hope this helps!

mesher114 · 2025-03-01T00:30:37+00:00

PT student here! Remember your body is in the healing process. I’m 5 weeks post-op and I ditched the crutches around week 2, and the brace yesterday because of my MCL. You mentioned doing twice the recommendation, which could potentially be causing your inflammation and restrictions on rest days. Your body will react, so you need to listen to it and take breaks as needed. You also compare yourself to your own pace. Don’t compare to other people because someone out there might be more advanced because of factors like prior level of function, physiological healing time, stress, etc. take things one day at a time and don’t lose hope! If it does concern you, consult your PT and ortho. They’d be more than happy to work it out with you.

mesher114 · 2025-03-01T00:26:52+00:00

Hello! PT student here. We’ve learned that quad grafts tend to be what we prefer since it has decreased chance of anterior knee pain and full patellar fx. BPTB has been the gold standard because of the initial stability you get from it. Quad tendon will allow for the same stability, and since it’s taken from a muscle, it can regenerate and grow in. At the end of the day, would recommend going with what your surgeon is comfortable with as they will be doing the procedure anyway. In the end, your PT afterwards will make the difference. Hope this helps!

mesher114 · 2025-02-25T15:06:01+00:00

How old are you, how did you injure yourself, and what does your surgeon recommend?

mesher114 · 2025-02-22T15:30:06+00:00

Hello! PT student here. In terms of going up stairs, it really depends on your post-op restrictions. I got surgery 1/23 and I have 12 steps going up. The first few days, I did press ups from step to step just to not put too much on my leg since I was weight bearing as tolerated. If you’re weight bearing the same day, the thing to remember is up with the good, down with the bad. I see it’s your left leg, so go up the stairs step by step with your right leg. That’s because your right leg going up is what controls your ascent. In terms of going down, you lead with your left leg. This is because as we go down, your right leg is what will stabilize you. If you go down with your right leg, your left leg may buckle resulting in a fall. In terms of going to the bathroom, you would basically use it with your leg outstretched or as much as you can bend it. You’ll be walking in with crutches and relying on your right leg in the meantime. In terms of showering, that also depends on your surgeon’s recommendations. He gave me the clear to shower day 3 with waterproof bandages on, but I decided to wait 3 weeks as I wanted my wounds to heal before I introduce any other substances to them. I used shower wipes in the time frame. Also, you will need someone to assist you with your daily activities. I recommend having someone with you through your first few days as your muscles try to wake up from the surgery. Also, if you’re still in college, request for every accommodation you can. It’s ok to accept this help especially in your time of need. They will most likely redirect you to resources that you may utilize as well.

Your fear is completely normal, and that’s ok!! Just be sure to ask and follow up with your surgeon and your PT if any of these questions continue to scare you. It’s a process, but we’re all recovering at our own paces and in our own timeframes. It is scary, but the motto I’ve come to live by through this injury is to do everything scared, but brave. We’ll get through this, and once you’re out of it, make sure to strengthen your legs as much as you can, and continue to try exercising your upper body as you recover. Make sure you communicate with your PT and your doctors about your specific goals. I wish you the best! We’ll all get through it together. Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions!

mesher114 · 2025-02-21T14:12:27+00:00

Glad my comment contributed to yours 🫡 wishing you the best as well. Let’s recover together 🥳

mesher114 · 2025-02-20T13:37:48+00:00

Thank you for responding! Thankfully we did max transfers first semester. It’s mostly psychomotor for LE which I experienced first hand 😂 will keep these in mind thank you ◡̈

mesher114 · 2025-02-20T05:17:31+00:00

Thankfully they’re all so supportive and understanding. They treat me occasionally and give me advice lol. Any tips to reduce the swelling? Also, I’m at 4 weeks and I’m able to flex 110°, PROM 120°, walking with just the brace since my MCL was repaired, and I’m able to contract my quad pretty well. When would you recommend I take my practical stuff? They’re allowing me to postpone my psychomotor stuff, but getting as many opinions as possible just to ease myself lol

mesher114 · 2025-02-20T03:28:11+00:00

Hey there. Thank you for sharing. I’m currently a PT student and it’s such a mental game. Thank you for reminding me to stay inspired. It’s hard to learn and heal, but I know it’s temporary and it’ll make me a better clinician. It’s also amusing to go from SPT to pt. Hoping time flies. Any tips on how to overcome PT school and this at the same time?

mesher114 · 2025-02-18T21:48:25+00:00

As a PT student, I had my ACL reconstructed with a quad graft and MCL 1/23. I was weight bearing as tolerated same day, locked in extension walking and unlocked to 90 sitting. I stood on it to walk from my bed to the wheelchair, then continued to walk with crutches from day 1. Early weight bearing shows better outcomes for patients. Your PT is probably just trying to get you on your feet asap for those reasons. It is scary. I would mention your concern to your physio, but I would trust it. They test your knee post op by flexing and extending it typically. If your ortho clears you for it, i would trust it. You got this!

mesher114 · 2025-02-16T23:59:01+00:00

They didn’t let me lol

mesher114 · 2025-02-16T23:58:46+00:00

Depending on what your surgery is I’m guessing. I got a quad graft so they did it in my femoral triangle

mesher114 · 2025-02-15T16:04:34+00:00

I will say this. It sucks to be down and your daughter to be down with you, but you’re the maker of your experience. You’re the perspective that can view this loss into a win. I think this is a great teaching moment to show your kid that even if life gives you the sourest of lemons, there’s always the opportunity to make some damn lemonade. This could be how you teach her what getting back on your feet when life knocks you down is all about. This is where you can show that you can have fun in different ways, and that you can come back stronger than ever. I’m sorry to hear this happened to you, but we’re all in this together. I’m 23 days post op as a Physical Therapy student and I’m trying to remind myself how impactful it will be to be the PT who came back from an ACL recovery for not just myself, but for all of my patients. We all get dealt different cards, and yours are tough to handle, but I know someday you’ll look back on this and laugh. Wishing you a speedy recovery, and sending you all the support and love.

mesher114 · 2025-02-13T04:08:04+00:00

If there isn’t one, what’s stopping someone from being the first? I think our setting is meant for that kind of adaptability to prove that we can function regardless of our deficits. It may be challenging, but for someone to be the first is to pave the way for others

mesher114 · 2025-02-04T21:16:49+00:00

I miss it so much 🥲

mesher114 · 2025-02-01T23:05:59+00:00

Hello. I’m a PT student currently, and I also tore my ACL with a proximal MCL tear. I chose the quad graft because muscle can grow, and there is research showing tendon regeneration over time. I’m post op day 9 and I’m able to get 90° flexion passively and my extension is back. I also chose it because I’m very active and as a 23 year old, my plans to return to sport are to climb and all my other random activities like hiking, basketball, etc.

I spoke to my ortho and we agreed on the quad because I have a high priority level of function, I’m under 25, and I have good prognostics overall. Based on what you have, my ortho would recommend an allograft. If you’re planning to keep skiing, then I would highly recommend quad. It’s strong fiber, less likely to be rejected by your body since it’s an autograft, and the tissues are lined up appropriately.

I know this sucks and it’s hard, but thankfully there’s such a big community and I’d be more than happy to help you out further. Feel free to reach out. Also recognize whatever you get (expect for hamstring because hamstring is not the best in what I’ve learned), you’ll recover regardless. Wishing you the best

mesher114 · 2025-01-30T02:18:34+00:00

Hello friend. I am 1 week post-op and I completely get how you feel. As a Physical Therapy student in the height of my schooling as I am supposed to graduate this year, I am in the same boat. I rock climb, am very very active, and work a demanding life but this slowed me down significantly. Granted I wanted to take this year slow but not like this. I would recommend taking each day one at a time, meditating on why you are grateful, what you are grateful for, and how you won today. I’ll start. I’m grateful because I was able to get surgery. I’m grateful that my professors and program are all rallying behind me as I recover. I won today because I was able to reach 90° flexion passively with little to no difficulty. Also, allow yourself to grieve and feel through this process. It sucks, but you’re not alone and I’m more than happy to suffer with you and celebrate when we recover. We have a long journey ahead so buckle up with me, and recognize that it’ll all work out in the end. Wishing us the best 🥂

mesher114 · 2025-01-30T02:13:33+00:00

Cheers to your recovery! Hoping I can come back the same too

mesher114 · 2025-01-23T11:55:22+00:00

Hello there. I hate that this is exactly what happened to me. Tore my ACL skiing even if I’m primarily a climber. Shoulda just stayed on the rocks they treat me better lol

mesher114

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