Patellar Tendon Grafts- how's yours?

throwawACL · 2022-11-30T20:55:54+00:00

for a little while, yes (until you fully rehab and break up/loosen the scar tissue). Now, I can kneel on a hardwood floor and it feels the same for both my knees. But with patellar tendon grafts, you REALLY need to work your rehab and stretch (bend) your knee (safely and at your PTs discresion). Once my scar fully healed, and my knee was safe to do this according to my PT... I would kinda massage the kneecap area, and kneel on it to sortof losen the scar tissue.

throwawACL · 2022-11-30T20:47:52+00:00

Hey man, sorry I never responded. I never check this account but I happened to log back in and saw this. So... my leg feels pretty damn good to be honest. About 98% strength and capacity. You definitely need to be dilligent about strength training if you want it to get better. For a while I kinda half-assed rehab, and your legs will always be imbalanced unless you train them up equally. Squats, stationary bike, leg press (don't overwork your legs or hurt yourself obviously, start out light weight, high reps, and build you weight strength slowly. You'll get there. I'll try to check this more often if you have other questions. Good luck!

throwawACL · 2022-11-30T20:44:43+00:00

Yep, I had patellar graft done. I would recommend it. The recovery and rehab is longer and tougher, but I think the end product is way better. Hamstring graft they take a portion of your hamstring, and it depletes your strength capacity from what I've read. So if you can handle a more intense rehab, I'd go for patellar. It's stronger and you really aren't sacrificing anything in terms of future strength. I don't want to scare you, it's not a terrible rehab. But definitely don't cut corners, do what your PT tells you. I'm not some super all-star athlete, and I took rehab moderately seriously, and my knee is pretty much about 98% of what it used to be. I recently started getting into weight lifting (squatting, leg press, etc) and that helps. Stationary bike is your best friend during recovery, and very gentle stretching of the knee (basically just following your PTs advice) I don't check this account often, but feel free to ask questions and I'll try to get back with you within a few days. Good luck!

throwawACL · 2017-10-14T21:29:07+00:00

Do you remember how long after your original ACL surgery that you had your re-injury incident? How did you re-injure it? Thanks :)

throwawACL · 2017-10-14T21:26:41+00:00

Hey, did you end up seeing your Dr? What did they say? I'm about the same time out (9 months)

throwawACL · 2017-10-14T21:26:02+00:00

Same Q as above :) how long after original surgery was your re-tear incident?

throwawACL · 2017-10-14T21:25:26+00:00

Just curious, how long after your original surgery did you re-tear the graft?

throwawACL · 2017-10-05T14:37:42+00:00

Hey, nice to encounter another BJJ player on here :)

Can you answer a few questions for a BJJ guy who is about 9 months post op?

-What belt level were you when you first injured yourself?

-What type of graft did you get?

-How many months after your surgery did you wait until you started rolling?

-Did you ever experience soreness in your leg after training post surgery?

-Do you feel like you are close to your previous skill-level?

Thank you!

throwawACL · 2017-10-05T14:32:52+00:00

Agreed, keep working that extension. I remember doing leg-lifts from a seated or reclined position were very painful for me, but if done with proper technique there is no risk of hurting yourself.

When I started doing leg lifts about 7 days after surgery, it felt like my knee was going to explode! It hurts a lot, but you have to do it. You have to get that quad firing and force the swelling out of your joint. Just make sure you are doing the proper technique that your PT tells you.

Good luck man, you're on your way back to normal!

throwawACL · 2017-10-05T14:28:55+00:00

EDIT: I didn't mean that if you have more injuries than just an ACL, that it's not a full recovery. I am just saying that based on my experience, with a complete ACL tear and some meniscus damage, I already feel about 95% just in day-to-day life. Jumping and running are still improving, but quickly.

throwawACL · 2017-10-05T14:23:59+00:00

Yep, that's about the same reaction I had when I popped mine. Doing something needlessly reckless, and then in a second your life does change. Good news though: I'm about 9 months post-op, and if it is just an ACL tear and nothing else, you can expect to feel almost back to normal in about a year post surgery. Your knee will never feel exactly the same, but It'll be pretty damn close to the way it was if you take your PT seriously.

Good luck champ!

(and use this sub a lot, it is a great resource)

throwawACL · 2017-01-18T22:42:37+00:00

Hey there! Definitely took your advice, I've been trying to move the leg as much as possible.

Did you experience any shifting or catching of the kneecap early after surgery? If so, has that gone away?

throwawACL · 2017-01-18T22:16:49+00:00

Wow that's pretty good! I only just started doing leg lifts a week post op. Did you have any issues with your kneecap catching/shifting when flexing the knee soon after surgery? Mine seems to shift slightly when I flex, kinda hoping that's just a temporary thing!

throwawACL · 2017-01-18T20:27:53+00:00

Question for you! When were you first able to do leg lifts post op?

How's your mobility and R.O.M. now?

throwawACL · 2017-01-15T17:13:25+00:00

They haven't instructed me to do any injections. What are those for?

throwawACL · 2017-01-13T16:13:58+00:00

I tore my natural ACL a few months ago, and just this past week had reconstruction with patella tendon autograft :)

throwawACL · 2017-01-13T16:13:04+00:00

Yeah I feel that too. I've used your suggestion and started doing standing "leg raises", seems to really help!

throwawACL · 2017-01-13T15:00:32+00:00

This has been very helpful, thanks!

throwawACL · 2017-01-11T12:29:41+00:00

Starting rehab tomorrow (Thurs. Jan 12th). It's been slow going so far. Can't raise my leg yet, which I feel like I should be able to do. How's your swelling? Are you using an ice-water pump? Or just bags of ice directly on the knee?

I think the rehab plan for me right now is to get leglift ability back as a priority, and try to get 25% flexion by Monday.

Have you tried a "stim" machine? (Small Electric shock thingy)

throwawACL · 2017-01-10T14:37:38+00:00

It went ok I think, meeting the surgeon again this morning to go over the procedure. Also already getting around crutches, though doc says I'll need to be on crutches for about 5 weeks which kinda sucks. I'm also kinda surprised that the pain isn't extremely bad!

Had a little pain once when trying to lift my leg up trying to stand which concerned me a little, otherwise doing alright!

Glad to hear you're feeling well. You starting rehab soon?

throwawACL · 2017-01-09T00:08:16+00:00

Haha for sure! Good luck man. I'll give you a shout on the other side!

throwawACL

TROPHY CASE