Cruciate ligaments :

ACL Reconstruction and PLC Reconstruction - - Posted by Rossignol (Rossignol), 13 November 2004

Hi guys,

I had a nasty accident in August, I totally ruptured my Lateral Collateral via the Post Lateral Corner and totally ruptured both the Anterior and Posterior Cruciates. In August my LCL and PLC were repaired after which I spent about 6 weeks in plaster before starting post op rehab. Over the past four weeks I have been walking around without crutches and without a limp. My range of movement had improved to 126 degrees and -1 degree. On Wednesday I had the Op to reconstruct my ACL. I had a graft taken from the Bone Patella Tendon for the reconstruction. I am now at home weight bearing with crutches. I was just wondering if anyone out there has experienced a similar injury to myself and if you have, how are you getting on. My aim for the future is to return to skiing although I know this may never happen. Is there anyone out there who has had ligaments reconstructed and you are now skiing? It would be great to hear from you.

Happy Rehab.
Posted by grudier (grudier), 14 November 2004

If you look below you'll see we have similar injuries, I had all my surgeries at once and had some complications, but at a year post op, I feel I'm doing well. I bike 5-7 times a week about 10 miles a day, no limp, little pain, I'm sprinting again, can touch a 10' rim again, and I am confident in my knee, and not thinking about it all the time. I'm ready for everything but the most dangerous sports, and my right leg is back to about 90% of the size of my left leg. I had all hamstring grafts, so let me know how the patella graft is working out. My harvest sites although painless, really set my strength back. Hope this helps, and stay positive. You can do it.
Posted by Philip (Philip), 24 November 2004

Hey Rossignol (skiing accident??)

I did not rip my PCL - merely stretched it heavily, but managed to rip my ACL, LCL, and with it the whole Postlateral corner - there are some postings of mine an Grudier you might find helpful.

I am now 7 months post-op. I can touch with my heel my bumm again, and back to 140 ROM (active) while my uninvolved knee is at 145. I started plyometrics that is jumping around a month ago and apart from the one leg jumping I am doing fine. After 4 months I was back biking loads, and less than 6 months after my op I went for a 6 hours hike in the hills without my knee swelling up. I can also do 5km runs without much problem and back into climbing - with a brace though. All in all I am getting there although I can't touch the rim yet - but also haven't tried (and my uninvoled leg is juming leg so... )

My knee bothers me still sometimes but I take it as a motivation for it to get better. The recovery is a bit of a rollercoster and progress comes in stages and sometimes you do too much and you need to step back. You can do it - just listen to your body and don't too much to quickly.

All the best if you have any questions let us know,

Take care,
Philip


Posted by Rossignol (Rossignol), 24 November 2004

Phillip,

I am now walking around the house fairly well without my crutches and don't have too much swelling although I do get the odd pain now and then. The main pain though has been from where the graft was taken. I am getting the dressing off on Friday so that will be something to look forward to! My knee is still quite stiff, If I sit down on a chair and go to straighten my leg it takes a while before it will straighten properly. It's the same when I lie down in bed. I seem to remember though when I had my cast removed following mw LCL, PLC Op that it was stiff for a while until I started to mobilize a bit better.

Cheers.

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