Torn ACL and lateral meniscus

[Gargantuan]

I tore both of mine playing football. My best advice is do plenty of stretching and work out on it everyday. It aids in recovery and doesn't allow scar tissue to build up causing stiffness

[jfain12]

Coming from an Athletic Trainer...if you plan on being active at all, get it fixed. Wait until you have 4-6 months that you don't HAVE to be active. if you aren't planning on being very active, get an ACL brace and continue on about your life.

[rtp]

Coming from an Athletic Trainer...if you plan on being active at all, get it fixed. Wait until you have 4-6 months that you don't HAVE to be active. if you aren't planning on being very active, get an ACL brace and continue on about your life.

Agreed, I got mine done about 3 weeks after deer season and was released to do whatever I wanted in July. I was recommended to continue wearing my brace around the ranch or when in a boat. I chose not to because of the hassle but did so at my own risk. Luckily nothing happened after that. I chose to forgo the spring and early summer golf and fishing so I would be good to go by the time Sept rolled around.

[Tommyh]

i say get in there with a hot iron and burn everything. screw the pain and be done with the hole process!

[SolocamShooter]

I tore my left ACL and meniscus and had surgery a month ago so I'm still on crutches. Im supposed to be on crutches another month and then 3 more months till normal activity. They did a cadaver graft rather than harvesting one of my own tendons. I would get it fixed as soon as you have the 4-6 months recovery time somewhat free. Its not really that bad of a recovery after the first week but just be sure and do all the physical therapy and stretches the doctor tells you. Its hard at the time but it WILL pay off in the long run! Feel free to PM if you have any questions. Good luck!

[Speedgoat]

I tore my left ACL and meniscus and had surgery a month ago so I'm still on crutches. Im supposed to be on crutches another month and then 3 more months till normal activity. They did a cadaver graft rather than harvesting one of my own tendons. I would get it fixed as soon as you have the 4-6 months recovery time somewhat free. Its not really that bad of a recovery after the first week but just be sure and do all the physical therapy and stretches the doctor tells you. Its hard at the time but it WILL pay off in the long run! Feel free to PM if you have any questions. Good luck!

Does your leg have a tendency to go right or left on its own now

[Reelz_n_Frillz]

I tore my ack in college and waited about 4 months before summer to have surgery. After a couple of weeks it stopped hurting all the time. I just had to be careful what I did, but I still worked carried things and climbed ladders ect.

Recovery sucks I used one of my hamstring muscles to repair the acl(bad idea). The hamstring pull hurt almost as bad as my knee during recovery. My suggestion is to go withe the cadaver muscle and recovery is a lot faster. Probably about a month. It took me a long time to get over my surgery and it sucked. But now it's about 4 years later and it is still weak sometimes.

x2....dont use the hamstring tendon for the repair which is what i did. I was back to full duty in 6 months with intense physical therapy and the assistance with a high end athletic "DONJOY" knee brace. The only thing that bothers me now is where they took the "graph" from my hamstring tendon when a cold snap comes through.

My other friends that used a cadaver for the "graph" ligament seemed to recover more pain free and faster than i did with minimal physical therapy.

[Catfish270]

Just got the call from the doctor. It is an ACL and Meniscus tear. I can jog and play basketball with my daughter and usually no problems. But if I step on an unever surface or turn a corner without lifting my foot all the way up my knee kinda slips out to the side and will make you dang near cry. I never would have thought you could run and jump with a torn ACL. I hope I can spring turkey hunt !!!

I had the same thing with torn ACL and meniscus tear. Before I had the surgery, it slipped out 3 times and I swear that hurt worse than the original injury. For me it took about a year to heal and a couple before I was not thinking about it while playing sports. Mine was the hamstring graft. Do the rehab they tell you to do. Some of the exercise seem silly, but they help the recovery process. Even when at home, do some while watching TV while sitting on the floor. Stretching it will only make the recovery easier. Hope it goes well.

[Birddog66]

Bummer - tore mine when I was in my 20's. It healed up great, it took a while (6-8 months). I waited a few months before getting it done. I wopuld tweak it from titme to time and it would hurt like heck and swell up again. Sooner the better.

[buxNdux]

Like someone above mentioned find the best ortho surgeon possible.. You will be possibly be put on a wait but it will be worth the wait...

[fishanhunt]

Luckily we have a great orthopedic here. He has done work on a bunch if well known pro football players, rodeo cowboys and olympic skiiers. luckily or unluckily, I have already had one knee surgery with him and was an established patient. He did great the first time. This first one was just a meniscus tear. I know this one will be a lot longer recovery but hopefully with as good results as my first surgery.