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March, 2024

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ACL surgery next week.

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Travapple.
Posts: 6787 - Karma: 88
i need ++++ vibes, i totally fucked up my knee on new years eve, completely tore my ACL, partial tears on my MCL and meniscus. they're gonna do a hamstring graft (for those of you who know what that is). i know a bunch of you have had this surgery, sometimes multiple times. i dont know what to expect. i know im gonna be out for awhile, any ideas for my downtime? the doctor told me i would most likely be getting either vicodin or oxycontin or something afterwards to contol the pain, so i got that going for me. i'm also wondering what i can expect as far as what i can do during the recovey/ rehab period.

thanks NS.
Jan 12 2010 7:56PM
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Hoover
Posts: 1432 - Karma: 52
+++k hope you have a speedy recovery
Jan 12 2010 8:03PM
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CANNON^
Posts: 1609 - Karma: 23
good luck man. my mom had it done. she tore he acl, mcl, pcl and minsicus. she was down for a while but she pretty good now (for having 3 surgeys on the same knee). The good part about taking part of the hamstring instead of a  cadavor is that it last longer (cadavor having to be replaced about every 5 years). idk how your rrecovery will be cause u are younger and u havent have 3 surgeys. my mom saw some trippy shit tthough on the meds. hahaha bonus!!! (ex. she thought she saw a money in her bed and thought she saw a herd of rainbow zebras from the stripes gum get attacked by a tractor trailer.)
Jan 12 2010 8:04PM
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Travapple.
Posts: 6787 - Karma: 88
shit dude. PCL is heavy shit. thats a pretty risky surgey too, with all the nerves and arteries in the back of the knee.
Jan 12 2010 8:06PM
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ghosfacekilla
Posts: 533 - Karma: 72
I had the same surgery last year, like everyone says about acl repairs try to kill it at rehabbing, the stronger you are the easier it will be to come back to skiing. As for downlime learn to knit, find a new tv show to watch, just stuff to keep ur mind occupied.
++ vibes and i hope ur recovery goes well
Jan 12 2010 8:06PM
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KramerC
Posts: 619 - Karma: 21
YOu dont have to replace a donor graft. I got this done this summer with my acl and tore my minicus. In 13 months the graft is 95% your own dna already. It gets stronger with time. And im only 5 months out and already can do big mountian cliff drops and get the biggest jumps in parks and throw it down.
Jan 12 2010 8:19PM
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gbirrd
Posts: 1475 - Karma: 20

Heres what my buddy tyler did when he got his acl surgery. It was deffently not as bad as yours.

He parked himself infront of a tv and xbox. Took his T3 and played video games all the time. It doesnt sounds fun really , but when i had surgery on my foot i was out for 3 weeks. thats what i did really. I never smoked weed by then because it was a long time ago but i wish i had. Makes everything better.

 Honestly though its gunna suck for the first bit, but everyday will get better!

Jan 12 2010 8:23PM
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Travapple.
Posts: 6787 - Karma: 88
thats so releiving to hear.
Jan 12 2010 8:27PM
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dave44
Posts: 11052 - Karma: 113
Hey man, I'm 3 weeks 2 days out of ACL surgery, exactly the same as you. Torn ACL, MCL and meniscus, but they let my MCL heal on its own and just did ACL reconstruction with meniscus repair.

First day - you'll feel fine straight out of surgery - you may even feel like you can walk, and I did, but I'd take it easy for a while. You'll still have anesthetic in your system, plus the oxy, so pain is non-existant. When I woke up in recovery I was so keen to get on the road to recovery that I started doing leg raises and ankle pumps, before a nurse came over and told me to take it easy haha.

IMO the pain was the worst at 2-3 days, but even then I wouldn't say it was intolerable. I took it easy on the pills, and only really took them at night, cause it was pretty uncomfortable trying to sleep. Your hamstring/back of leg will feel SO tight after surgery, not much you can do there - with a week to go I guess the most you can do is stretch your hamstring between now and the op.

Just keep that leg elevated and iced (and STRAIGHT!) - if you can get a cryo-cuff I'd invest in one, I kept mine on whenever I was lying down and that really helped with the swelling. You'll wanna get that swelling down because it can limit how much rehab you can do. Keep your leg straight, extension is important and much easier to regain than flexion (bending). I had full extension by about a week after and I'm at full flexion now too (3 weeks) - keep at the physio and you'll have no problem doing the same. Basically the first weeks of recovery is getting the range of motion back, as well as getting your quads firing again.

Don't fret, you'll be in the surgery room staring at the ceiling and the next thing you know you'll be waking up in recovery. Best of luck, let me know if there's anything else you wanna know.
Jan 12 2010 8:28PM
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Travapple.
Posts: 6787 - Karma: 88
thanks so much dude. theyre letting my MCL heal on its own as well. im gonna get a cryo-cuff on friday too. ive been doing streches for a while now. ive got full extension right now, flexion is getting there. did you have full range of motion before the operation?

the brace that i currently have is going to be used as my post-op brace. it locks at the knee joint, but i was told that i shouldn't lock it. ill have to double check on that one.
Jan 12 2010 8:34PM
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Scott0_robot0
Posts: 3291 - Karma: 212
new years resolution good vibes ha
Jan 12 2010 8:36PM
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Travapple.
Posts: 6787 - Karma: 88
yeah dude. deff gonna spark some bowls in my off time. running pretty dry though. fack.
Jan 12 2010 8:43PM
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dave44
Posts: 11052 - Karma: 113
Nearly full range of motion going into surgery, my flexion wasn't quite full either, it would get pretty uncomfortable in the last 5-10 degrees.

My doctor didn't make me use a post-op brace, my brace is mainly for the 3-5 month range when I start getting active again. Every doctor is different when it comes to post-operative bracing though, so check up with yours.
Jan 12 2010 8:45PM
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casual
Posts: 6712 - Karma: 6,746
http://brobomb.com/2010/01/disabled-list-casual-gets-cut/

Jan 12 2010 8:46PM
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twayne
Posts: 540 - Karma: 26
Just had mine done back in the beginning of december. Not gonna lie it sucks hearing everyone talking about all the features that are in the park and how there day on the mountain was. Just overcome that shit bro. what endless ski vids. Kick that stationary bikes ass and you'll be back before you no it.
Jan 12 2010 8:53PM
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Travapple.
Posts: 6787 - Karma: 88
yeah dude, im gonna rehab the shit outta it.


Jan 12 2010 9:10PM
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quixotic
Posts: 6937 - Karma: 2,978
That totally bites man. Hopefully you heal you quick and are back out there given'r real soon!
Jan 12 2010 9:13PM
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twayne
Posts: 540 - Karma: 26
i mean rehab as hard as the physical therapist lets you don't over do it and strain your muscles.. thats the worst thing that you could do.. 
Jan 12 2010 9:24PM
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Travapple.
Posts: 6787 - Karma: 88
yeah dude. im gonna rehab the shit outta it and hopefully be back in time for summer skiing. deff gonna shred like no other next year.
Jan 12 2010 10:38PM
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kevkols40
Posts: 27 - Karma: 11
After getting an MRI on his right leg they compared the two knees and discovered my uncle has been missing his acl in his left knee. says he never has any knee pain in his left knee. the stronger you were going into the injury the better off you are.
Jan 12 2010 11:34PM
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Travapple.
Posts: 6787 - Karma: 88
i'm going in early tomorrow morning. what should i expect for tomorrow?
Jan 21 2010 10:56PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,385
expect to be drowsy as fuck, passing in and out of consciousness for a long time. You will probably sleep pretty well the first night, depending on how fast your body processes all the drugs.

you might feel sick, eat whatever food your body is asking you for. Not too much sugar though because that will likely make you feel like shit. If you want sweets suck on some juice. Mild cookies are good. Most people say you should eat mild foods but after surgeries I'm always on the hunt for fruit and spicy/salty/rich/greasy foods. I had cheesy chicken pasta and a hamburger with some odwalla drinks the night after my surgery.
Jan 21 2010 11:42PM
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Travapple.
Posts: 6787 - Karma: 88
the operation went well. my leg isnt feeling too bad right now, but the femoral nerve block is still working. just took some oxycontin for the night, the block is supposed to wear off while im sleeping tonight. will the oxycontin be enough to keep me alseep tonight? if not, should i just pop in a percoset if it does wake me up from the pain?
Jan 23 2010 12:11AM
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jeremy.g
Posts: 4931 - Karma: 459
i had surgery this morning on my collarbone got a plate and screws. i had never had surgery before and was a little nervous but luckily it turned out fine. i got a block too. its still pretty numb and i had surgery at like 7 this morning and its still fairly numb which is really good. i felt way better today than i thought i would. if you have a lady friend she will do wonders for passing the time. good luck on the recovery man! there are i imagine lots of other nsers including myself recovering from surgery. you arent alone!
Jan 23 2010 12:52AM
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panojibber
Posts: 3382 - Karma: 216
Not too sure about painkillers, but when you're recovering really stay on top of things. Do tons and tons and tons of stretching, and then more stretching, do your physio exactly as much as they tell you to, and no less, and just don't lose your focus. When you're out its tough to stay motivated, but you can do it. Glad to hear the surgery went well, hope you have a smooth recovery.
Jan 23 2010 12:55AM
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Lemuel
Posts: 14477 - Karma: 10,515
I'm going to the ER tomorrow morning to gt my knee checked out.  The ski patrol said it wasn't as bad as it could be, so I'm hoping that is right.  Alcohol does make it feel better though haha (probably shouldn't use it [esp youngyins] but w/e). 
Jan 23 2010 1:18AM
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CakedWiddit
Posts: 268 - Karma: 13
+++++ haha....I had the same shit happen to me, switchin up after a butter caught an edge, ski didnt pop and boom goes my ACL..surgery in spring..good luck man
Jan 23 2010 1:38AM
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Travapple.
Posts: 6787 - Karma: 88
hahah its been like 27 hours since i got the block and its still going strong. the only pain i can feel is just below my knee, deff not as bad as id though it'd be. all ive really been doing is playing madden 06 since i got home yesterday. haha that and stretching. ive heard of a lot of other NSers that are getting surgey, more than i can remember in years past. ++++ vibes and good luck to you all!

Jan 23 2010 12:10PM
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Alkyy
Posts: 2839 - Karma: 149
damn on my first i was in soo much pain right after the surgery, like 10x the pain of the injury.  I wouldnt take percocet and oxycontin (make sure its contin not codone) oxycontin is synthetic heroin, basically under deloded and morphine the strongest pain killer legal.  Im having the same surgery on the 19th of febuary on my other knee.  two seasons of no riding is killing me
Jan 23 2010 12:20PM
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srwinnsuco
Posts: 2943 - Karma: 1,472
I did the same thing.  Pre op Physical therapy is key to come back strong.  Take your time and dont rush coming back to soon.  last thing you want to do is re injure yourself.  good luck and stay positive and do lots of physical therapy and you'll be back in no time.  Probably wouldnt recommend skiing till next season though.
Jan 23 2010 12:20PM
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Lemuel
Posts: 14477 - Karma: 10,515
I get my surgery on Thursday.  Not really looking forward to it. 

I actually have a question.  I slipped in the snow yesterday and I felt a pop in my knee with the torn ACL.  Now, this is 5 weeks after I tore it, and it is swollen up again.  What was that pop?  It didn't really hurt when I did it, but I could tell something happened.  I did not hear or feel the pop in the initial injury.  I am not sure what the pop was when I slipped.
Feb 27 2010 2:42PM
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Alex_G
Posts: 11902 - Karma: 1,018
that sounds terrible, but at least they are gonna see it and be able to fix it when they go into surgery so you should probably be okay. i know some kids that throw switch dubs without ACL's, so after surgery you will be more than alright for skiing. it's gonna be a rough road especially for the first few months out of surgery but you will be fine. get good at something else like guitar or something you can do without your leg and your time will be much easier. and STICK TO YOUR PT, the more work you do on your leg after surgery the easier everything will be when you get back to normal, and the less worrisome you will be about your leg when you get back on skis. oh and buy skate 2 and try to session every part of San Van and you won't get bored. I still barely have seen most the spots in skate 2 and i spent most of my life playing that game when i had surgery, and its almost been a year after surgery. and although its pretty tough sometimes don't let your injury get to your head. many people get this injury so its not uncommon and it's pretty easy to bounce back from it.
Feb 27 2010 3:09PM
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Travapple.
Posts: 6787 - Karma: 88
rehab is going great, apparently im hella ahead of schedule, just over a month out and i can run!
Feb 28 2010 11:55PM
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SweatyBallShack
Posts: 2857 - Karma: 58
Change your name to speedy
Mar 1 2010 12:06AM
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ike.
Posts: 2292 - Karma: 93
vibes for a quick rehab bro, sounds like it's goin good. my only advice is although physio is borin as shit, dig deep and keep doin it , it'll pay off when you can ski that much sooner!!
Mar 1 2010 1:13AM
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christianallen2
Posts: 5 - Karma: 56
Dog I just got mine done and did patella tendon graft. I don't think you want to do hamstring it's a much weaker graft.  I have heard this from many people i'd look into it.
Mar 1 2010 1:34AM
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Alex_G
Posts: 11902 - Karma: 1,018
no patella and hamstring are about the same strength. i got hammy done and mine is fine. plus i dont have a gigantic scar and 1/3 of my patellar tendon gone, which can bother you when youre older.
Mar 1 2010 2:32AM
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skithe49th
Posts: 2487 - Karma: 14
I had to get 4 surgeries done in late december for a broken tibia (27 places) where they had to put in a rod and 4 screws. The first one I was hella nervous cause I've never had surgery before but like someone said above your basically laying on the table then you wake up after the surgery, haha the nurse was real confused cause I guess the first thing I said when I woke up was "did I win the snowball fight?"

I still can't put ay weight on my leg though which blows so ive resorted to skate2, weed, LOST, ski edits, and kendama.

Glad OP's experience went well and props on the quick recovery and to everyone else who's gotta get surgery done and whatnot just remember what Martini's two goals were after his surgery- Stay Positive, and stay in the ski "scene". Everyday makes me wanna ski but then I just think to myself that once i can get back on snow I gotta come back even stronger than before and with a vengeance.
Mar 1 2010 5:31AM
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bluenuts
Posts: 34 - Karma: 29
i had surgery on my ACL in november and was jog/running/side steps abouts 14 days after surgery. and now im coming up2 4 months and bouncing on the tramp, water skiing and all that. but i still have work to do cause this is when the tendons just starting to heal.
dont just go to the gym and do your leg work outs, make sure your doing back, ab and shoulder (whole body stuff too) it will help hugely on the slopes next season and if u get really into it, it will make it so much easier.
Mar 1 2010 6:00AM
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christianallen2
Posts: 5 - Karma: 56
ya but you gotta wonder why all the big names do patella, martini, schlopy, ahmet, tj, THall.  I heard patella was stronger from the man him self stedman hawkins.  Not to worried about my patella tendon in the future either, i've talked to people with no problems.
Mar 1 2010 10:45PM
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JGord
Posts: 31 - Karma: 1,214
do patella. just got mine done in january. talked to many people including the surgeon (whos daughter is a professional big mountain skiier and did patella) and all didnt seem to keen on hamstring. Much higher chance of reinjury with hamstring.
Mar 1 2010 10:50PM
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ike.
Posts: 2292 - Karma: 93
damn bro vibes, get welll soon man, just came off an injury, broke me arm 65% displacement needed surgery.
Mar 2 2010 1:35AM
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