ACL reconstruction

[1Boysie]

My surgeon tells me I need the op as I have a grade 3 rupture on my right acl, but no other damage and I am a v keen skier and tennis player. Two questions: how soon can I get back to driving my car post op and how painful is the hamstring graft site? :-/

[tazmanian_devil]

Hi, so which knee is the surgery on? Which side of the road do you drive on, USA or UK if you know what I mean. Is the car automatic or stick shift? Whatever the answers are you can't drive until you are off the strong pain pills or you could cause an accident and be charged with driving under the influence of drugs. Don't forget the huge brace you will be wearing for awhile, don't take it off to get in the car. As to the question of how painful will it be, no-one knows, everyone is different. But you are a bit of a athlete so you should be able to handle a little pain. One of the worst things for me was getting the staples out. Theresa

[koala]

I was told that experiments in NZ show that the earliest one should get back to driving is 6 weeks.  I did some at just over 5 post-recon which wasn't a nice experience and I don't recommend it.  Some people seem to notice pain in the graft site but I never had any.

Don't let anyone put you in a brace!   Your muscles will only waste away faster.  

Good Luck,
Jo

[adam]

6 weeks sure sounds like a long time!  I was back in the driver's seat in 2 weeks, I'm now 5 weeks post-op and I've experienced little or no pain when driving.  I had the patella tendon graft.  Perhaps the hamstring option leads to more pain on the underside of the leg while sitting - in which case a longer wait to drive might be a good thing.

[Marek_Bowman]

I left it at least 6 weeks before getting into the drivers seat, it was my left leg so getting in an out of the drivers seat was/is a bit of a bind without twisting.  Also on a manual it took a little while to get used to using the clutch again.

[Chris M.]

A lot is going to depend on
A) Where to you live
B) Automatic or Standard car
c) Your use of pain meds

I drive a standard in the US. Lucky for me, my BF has an automatic that he let me use til I was allowed to drive me car again. I had a left ACL recon (hammy) on 11/18/03. I was driving on December 1 (almost 2 weeks). I didn't get rid of my brace for another 2 weeks. I guess I was lucky because I never had the need to take anything stronger than an advil. I was allowed to drive my car again when I was able to lose the crutches, at 6 weeks.

Remember that each OS has their own policy as far as this stuff goes Best of luck!

[Adriana]

I had an ACL reconstruction on January 20th. Artificial Ligament (LARS). I could drive two weeks from surgery. I rode my horse three weeks after surgery, though it hurt a little. I feel pretty well, just a little stiff sometimes but I understand recovery with this type of ligament is faster.

[byantis]

Hi,
In the middle of March, I am having my ACL repaired.  I was rollerblading and I fell.  My left knee went outward and I want down.  I never fell on my knee but I hurt myself very badly.  So the outcome from that was I completely tore my ACL and partially tore my MCL.  I am only 26 years old and have never had anything like this happen before.  Now I need to have surgery to repair my ACL, the problem that I am up against is if I want the doctor to use a cadaver ligament or use one from my hamstring or my knee cap.  I don't know and I hope that someone can give me some information on this subject.  Thank you!
Brandi

[JOSEY_WALES]

Hi,

I had an ACL recon (Hamstring) in my R.knee 13/02/04.

I am now 2weeks post op and have been told 6weels from date of op before I can drive.  (I live in England and drive a Manual car)

I belive this is a standard waiting time.  I certainly wouldnt feel too confident at the moment.

I had cartlidge repaired at the same time so I cant distinguish the pian in my knee being one procedure or the other.

The Hamstring is sore/weak but pain negligable, I can aggravate it by massagingthe area.

best of luck

Ade

[dawnb1968]

I am 4 weeks post op ACL recon (patella tendon) been driving for 2 weeks and I go back to work on Monday (I work in a restaurant and am on my feet for 10 to 14 hours a day). Only problems I seem to be having now is swelling still which I do the ice and elevation thing, and pain across the top of my kneecap which has improved with time. Stairs hurt ! I have a lot of trouble walking up and down stairs. I am doing the one step at a time thing stepping up with my good leg and following with my recovering leg, going down I step down with the recovering leg and then follow with the good leg. I do do as many as I can normally, but thats only a couple. I know that too will improve with time and strengthening.

Dawn

[Beauzer]

I actually went back to work (driving and standing all day - no crutches) 6 days after my hammy ACL recon.  At the time, I didn't have a choice.  That being said, while it is possible to do this, DON'T.  I spent a whole lot of time wishing for death because the pain and swelling was really bad and it held up my rehab somewhat.

I had hammy pain for a long time (months) but it was probably related to the fact I was on it all the time.  My hamstring, however, has never regained its original strength, even after all these years

[1Boysie]

Thanks for all your comments.

Now 5 weeks post op and doing well. Normal gait, no crutches. Surgeon advises no driving until 6 weeks (my right, brake leg)

Significant nervous loss across the whole shin area- really dead but they say it will improve. Ankle and shin swell when I sit down or stand for long periods. Knee generally good, though.

Hammy site still sore and weak. Anyone any advice on a) how fast to push the rehab on this and b) what curl to expext? E.g. I can get about 60 degrees (heel lift) when I am standing. Beyond that I don't feel I can achieve as it's so weak and sore.

Many thanks agin for wishes and tips. Amazed than some of you drove so soon after op!


Julian

[slowmo]

hi i didn't drive for around 6 weeks but probably could have before just give the knee the best chance to settle down although on crutches for a month which was a pain i had no problems with the knee but did get jip from hamstring as scarring went in to my calf and caused acheing and discomfort for around a week (14-21 days) but would recommend the op as this was the only problem i really got hope it goes well for you also did notice the hamstring a couple of time later when sat down but nothing major also i didn't have a brace post op