Cruciate ligaments :

should my ACL be reconstructed? - - Posted by rsv_daz (rsv_daz), 24 January 2005

on the 2nd Jan 2005 i had a nasty fall of my motorbike which resulted in :

minscus tear
snapped ACL
tib plat fracture

waiting for anthroscopy(sp)

os is suggesting physio first before ACL reconstruction

I'm 36 with an active life (gym every morning)  motorcross riding weekly, squash/football/badmington once a month
i have 2 young children and my job involves me working on a construction site for 50% of the time.

should i see how the physio goes or insist on the ACL reconstruction?


Posted by nas (nas), 24 January 2005

First off, do you have a significant loss in range of motion (extension, flexion of the knee)?  If so, that is probably why you will need physical therapy, even if you plan to get the ACL reconstructed.  According to my OS, he wouldn't operate on my knee unless I had full ROM back, because after surgery you will only recover your ROM up to your pre-surgery state.  So I would plan on starting that PT asap regardless.

Also, what information did your doctor use for your initial diagnosis?  I'm guessing MRI, since it seems like a pretty detailed diagnosis.  If you are sure the ACL is "snapped", or torn completely through, and you plan to continue to play all of those sports, then you will probably need the reconstruction.  I'd talk to a few doctors and discuss your case with them to make sure it's right for you, and that it's necessary.  Good luck!
Posted by rsv_daz (rsv_daz), 24 January 2005

hi nas,
thanks for your reply.

i had an MRI scan and currently in a hinged knee brace with PT starting this thursday.

I would like to continue with the same level of activity as before

what is ROM?

Posted by nas (nas), 24 January 2005

Sorry, ROM = Range of Motion.  So if you can kick your leg out until it is parallel to the ground, then that is full extension.  And if you can bend your injured leg as much as your non-injured leg, then that is full flexion.

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