anyone have had a torn acl?

[Zen]

This page gives a good overview
http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/acltears/ACL_have.html

[michelem]

My DH tore his acl and miniscus while playing basketball a few years ago. He let it go for a while, hoping it might repair itself (HA!), but finally gave in to surgery when his knee would pop out of place and he'd have to manually pop it back in every time he tried to do something as simple as get in or out of the car. I think the surgery itself took a couple of hours, under full anesthesia, and then he had to stay in the hospital overnight. He was laid up for a few days with this contraption that moved the leg so it wouldn't "lock up." He was also on some heavy pain meds, but didn't like how they made him feel so flushed them down the toilet after a day or two and just gritted his teeth. He had to wear a knee brace and be on crutches for a while as well. LOTS of painful physical therapy (which, after some time did include cycling). He finally got back to a point where he could play basketball and football and everything again -- his main goal. He REALLY pushed himself with p/t, envisioning his goal of playing again to get him through the pain. He still has to be diligent about stretching, but other than that everything is back to "normal."

P.S. He had the option of having the replacement done from a cadaver or his own hamstring and he chose to go with his own. If you have more specific questions, I can ask him for you.

[Brandi]

My DH tore his acl and miniscus while playing basketball a few years ago. He let it go for a while, hoping it might repair itself (HA!), but finally gave in to surgery when his knee would pop out of place and he'd have to manually pop it back in every time he tried to do something as simple as get in or out of the car. I think the surgery itself took a couple of hours, under full anesthesia, and then he had to stay in the hospital overnight. He was laid up for a few days with this contraption that moved the leg so it wouldn't "lock up." He was also on some heavy pain meds, but didn't like how they made him feel so flushed them down the toilet after a day or two and just gritted his teeth. He had to wear a knee brace and be on crutches for a while as well. LOTS of painful physical therapy (which, after some time did include cycling). He finally got back to a point where he could play basketball and football and everything again -- his main goal. He REALLY pushed himself with p/t, envisioning his goal of playing again to get him through the pain. He still has to be diligent about stretching, but other than that everything is back to "normal."

P.S. He had the option of having the replacement done from a cadaver or his own hamstring and he chose to go with his own. If you have more specific questions, I can ask him for you.

Was he in pain before he had the surgery? Could he walk? And How often did it pop out after he did it in the first place?