anyone have had a torn acl?

[Brandi]

I injured my ACL in college, back in the Middle Ages when they had no idea how to do knee surgery other than to repair a torn cartilage. (Which they offered to do for me... so glad I declined!) Rehab was also extremely minimal. It's been a while, but I remember my bad sprains (that knee, a shoulder and an ankle twice) as being EXCRUCIATINGLY painful for 3-4 days, and certainly no picnic for a couple of weeks after that. Did the doctor compare your hubby's pivot-shift to his other knee, to get an idea of how loose his knees are congenitally?

It was about three months post-injury before I decided (on my own) to start running again, because the inactivity was literally killing me and in those days the doctors didn't have anything better than "stay off it." By then it was snowy icy winter, so the way I remember it, it was a few months before I got back on the bike in any case.

It's loose, but it's never "popped out." My knees are congenitally loose (common in women, and definitely a contributing factor to the injury), and the one I injured is only a slight bit looser than the other one. The kneecap tracking problems I have are really avoidable with good body mechanics and maintaining strength. I'm pretty sure that if I'd had good rehab, I wouldn't have even the minimal trouble with it that I do now.

The last time my knee flared up (swelling and pain, no popping or giving way, and n.b., the "good" knee has flared up due to bad body mechanics too), I saw an ortho, who told me that at my age (mid 30s at the time) and activity level (anything short of a college or professional level athlete), surgery was not indicated. Rehab following surgery is 6-12 months. He prescribed a short course of PT for me, and by watching my body mechanics it's been fine ever since. That's been almost 15 years. There's been a lot I've had to learn on my own and am still learning though, so I'd suggest really doing his homework on finding a PT.

That's the rub, though. Your post isn't clear whether money or time is the reason he wants to avoid surgery now, but if it's time, he's kind of SOL, because he's going to really need to make a commitment to PT in either case.

Best wishes for a quick and full recovery, whatever he decides!

The Dr did do the pivot -shift thingy.
And no Money is not the issue. Even if we didn't have a lot we would figure it out so he could be better. Time right now is the issue because we are going to start our work season and he can not be out from it. So if he does have to have surgery it would have to wait till the fall if that is possible. He would do all the pt they ask of him no complaints. he is commited to keeping himself healthy. So as Long the surgery can wait then we will be fine. if he even needs it. By the sounds of it he has a pretty mild case compared to all the stories I have read here so far. So that is encouraging. and the fact the doc said he could go ahead and ride his bike.