ACL repair and recovery

My Doctor just confirmed that I tore my ACL yesterday and says I will need surgery to repair it. He said he was going to use cadaver tissue because it heals faster than if he used my own tissue. My question is who has had ACL reconstructive surgery and how long before they were climbing/mountaineering again and if there were and lingering effects after they were fully recovered.

I was cleared to do any activity at the six month mark. I took my physical therapy very seriously and did the same exercises at home and in the gym several times a week. I had a cadaver graft too.

The only side effect I have is from two staples they used in my tibia to hold the graft in place. Every now and then they get a little inflamed, which causes my foot to get swollen, but it's not a big deal, ice pack on the staples, and next morning as good as new. They don't (or shouldn't) use staples anymore, so it shouldn't be an issue for you. My surgery was done in June of 2003 and I know refer to that knee as my "Good Knee" since the other one is hosed up with osteoarthritis now.

I have a friend who had his ACL replaced, and didn't listen to his doctor and physical therapists advice and resumed normal activities after three months. He has some complications with the knee now. So my advice, follow your doctors advice and wait until the bone/tunnel is fully healed because ACL Revision Surgeries are a lot worse than the ACL Reconstruction.

Hey Mike,

First off, don't worry too much. I tore my ACL at 18 and my knee is in near perfect shape at this point. I also had the cadaver tissue. Once in awhile after a big day hiking I'll get a little soreness in the tibia holes same as John, but no more than the general pain of long days hiking with heavy mountain packs.

Take your time getting back to the sports, but push hard in the therapy. I think that I waited too long to push with the Range of Motion machine and exercises, but I eventually gained back 100% strength and mobility.

My biggest effect was actually destruction of my other knee. From being on it with crutches for 6 weeks I feel like I damaged some of the cartilage in my good knee. My repaired knee actually feels 'cleaner' throughout range of motion. I would highly recommend some structural reintegration to re-balance your body after your physical therapy is mostly done. Otherwise your hip and entire body can suffer effects from the atrophy of your hip and leg muscles post-surgery. This can be done via chiropractic, Rolfing, psoas-centered core stuff, Elizabeth Gokhale's 8 step back program etc...

Message me if you have any other questions. I've been through a lot of injuries and come back every time, to do long snow climbs, alpine climbs and hard(ish) sport. Good luck Mike!

I had a shattered tibial plateau that complicated things because I had to let the bone heal first, then reconstructive surgery on the ACL, meniscus, and a little work on the MCL. I was 43 at the time. My rehab was a little longer. I also took my rehab very seriously. But I was climbing easy stuff within 5 months. Take it slow....work up to it gradually and always give it enough rest. It will most likely come back better than your other one. Oh, my doc grafted off my hamstring...said it would be stronger than a cadaver. That was his opinion when I told him I was a climber and would put some serious stress on it via knee-bars etc. Good luck and lay off the pain killers!!

It depends somewhat on how old you are (younger is faster). I've had both of mine done - patellar tendon and hamstring grafts. Mid 30's the first time mid 40's the second. I was back on a mountain bike both times within 3 months doing real rides. Climbing even earlier. Give it a few weeks then put on a brace and head to the climbing gym. Only use your good leg - don't even put the other leg on the wall. It will drastically improve your climbing technique and make you stronger. Top rope only though. Zero issues 17 and 7 years later. Everyone is different - age, physical condition, genetics all play a role. Listen to your surgeon and PT and let your body be the guide. Regardless though, you can still do the one legged gym routine to keep your sanity.