1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Knee Problems

Partial ACL tear, no surgery, should i trust my doctor?

Posted , 3 users are following.

cans
cans

Hi, i'm 23 years old, i play basketball and tennis often, couple of times a week, and really love sports, especially basketball and 3 months ago i partially torn my acl, at first doctor wasn't sure what is it but after MRI i was diagnosed with a partially torn acl, i don't know how bad the tear is, but after examination a month ago doctor said that he thinks i should be alright just with working out and strenthening my legs(muscles such as quads that surround my knee) and after i work out and make my legs stronger in 2-3 months i could slowly go back to playing basketball.

I took it seriously because i really love sports and it's tough for me to spend so much time without it so i really work hard, i go to the gym every other day(i do squats, leg extensions, i ride a bike in the gym) i even do yoga sometimes as i heard it could make my knee more stable etc. I've been working for around a month and i am trying to test myself from time to time, i try to run, switch directions etc and i feel a big fear when i am doing it so i do it really lightly but i am still not sure if i will be able to go back to the old level of playing basketball where i was before the injury, i mean, my legs will be stronger, but i am not sure if my knee will be well enough.

My question is, do you think is it what i am doing right now ok, and do you think people who play sports very actively and oftenly should go for surgeries when they injure their acl? Actually any experience of people who play sports actively and had partial acl tears would be nice, so, thanks in advance

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • mary12001
    mary12001 cans

    Posted

    Don't go for any surgery

    I was told I would feel better after a new knee.

    Instead seven weeks post op I feel CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP and it's been like that since the op!!

  • Oldfatguy1
    Oldfatguy1 cans

    Posted

    Careful of the pressure you are putting on it with the squats. Be gentle but very controlled with the twisting. Sounds like you are on the right track. Are you working with a sports medicine trained professional?. I guess having spent as much time in rehab and having visited with as many jocks in rehab as I have, I feel the these pros are worth their weight in gold when it comes to advice.
    • cans
      cans Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      No, i am working out on my own, there was a trainer that showed me a couple of excercises the first time i was on the gym and i took it from there and now i do it alone. I know a lot of people in sports so i use every chance to find out something from them, i ask them stuff about working out, i search the internet on how to do it correctly and i hope i'll manage to come back in sports in a time. I set myself a routine(10 min bike ride, 3x15 or 5x10 (squats with kettlebell, leg extensions, leg curls, leg press(but i really do leg presses gently and slowly with a little amount of weight)) i also do 3x20 or 4x15 crunches, 2x20 leg raises and 4x10 lunges.

      I do it every other day and i hope it'll work out

    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 cans

      Posted

      Just be very careful with squats and lunges. These can be overdone without you knowing it and in overdoing can be setting the entire process in a backside.
    • cans
      cans Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      Thank you very much, but what do you mean exactly, i should listen to my body when i feel i am doing it too much right?
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 cans

      Posted

      Correct......there seems to be a gym mentality that says if a little is good a lot is that much better when in fact it's much better to do fewer reps, less weight etc and do them slowly and correctly. I'm sure you've seen the guy doing some of these excercises and you know they are jerking and tugging instead of slow and smooth. Like in driving on the freeway, speed isn't going to get you there much faster and maybe not at all. One of the most difficult things in getting back to walking properly after surgery Is pace. I've always used the heel, then toe then complete bend approach. It slows you Dow and forces you tostride completely and correctly
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.