SummitPost.org

Hi guys,

I did a search on "ACL" and it appears that a few of you guys have had torn ACLs and gotten back into climbing not long after your surgery. I have a surgery coming up on Friday Apr 9 and was wondering if you could talk a bit about the kind of rehab you did that had you climbing again?

Going in to the surgery, I have strong legs. For example, I was able to squat 245 lbs the week before. I have kept up with regular weight lifting (squats, deadlifts etc) so pre-op conditioning is not a problem.

What did you focus on for physio/rehab POST surgery? stationary bike? range of motion etc? I am going to a physio and will ask my surgeon for advice as well but I am looking at collecting info from all possible avenues and then tailoring my program as I see fit (without overdoing it and risking further injury of course).

Thanks

I had ACL surgery in June 2008 and spent that summer painfully working my way through rehab, bugging my PT to push me as hard as she could. I did everything she told me to, and worked my way from barely being able to walk to the end of the street without crutches to doing short hikes, then long hikes, hiking with weight, rock climbing and mountaineering. I'd say it took 6-9 months to feel "normal" again. Now my reconstructed knee gives me less pain than my other one. I'm climbing harder and hiking more miles now than I had before the surgery.

Listen to what your body is telling you, and try not to overdo it. The most challenging part of rehab for me was watching all my friends go out and climb volcanoes and go cragging and whatnot all summer while I was crossing my fingers that my heel would lift off the floor when contracting my withered quads. But I discovered some great little hikes that I always overlooked because they were "too short" or "too flat" for me to have bothered with otherwise.

And, bike, bike bike...

The big thing for me was to find the right PT. I spent a year after surgery never really recovering and very disappointed with the outcome. The PTs kept telling me thing were fine. Then I found a PT that was a climber and triathlete herself and really knew where I wanted to go. In about 30 seconds she showed me 4 things that were wrong with my knee. Then she put me on an exercise program that kicked my butt. Within 3 months of seeing her I was back to full activity.

I had mine in 2001 and my knee is as good or maybe better than before. The only thing that bothers me is the occasional twinge from my MCL (which I blew at the same time).

The PT is critical. Insist on a center that specializes in sports rehab. First you want to get full flexibility back. Especially extension is crucial. My doc wanted me to be able to fully extend my leg to the point that it would lift my heel off the ground and then fully flex, so I could get my heel to my butt. He wanted this before surgery and then have me get back to that about 6 weeks after surgery (you want to be careful, so you don't blow the graft). Then you learn to walk all over again - propriaception has gone down the tubes in the interim - and regain strength. Walking lunges, among other exercises, are great for this.

Most people lose about 1/4 to 1/2 inch off their quads during this time. I worked it so hard I gained 1/8th inch!

Still, it was over a year before it really was totally back.

stormwolf wrote:For example, I was able to squat 245 lbs the week before.

but I am looking at collecting info from all possible avenues and then tailoring my program as I see fit (without overdoing it and risking further injury of course).

Hopefully your surgery went well and you're rehabbing nicely. A couple of things: one, if you were squatting 245 with the injured knee, did you really need the surgery? That's likely a moot point by now. Two, don't micromanage your rehab, which it sounds like you're attempting to do. Definitely give your MD and PT feedback, as they'll need it, but let them prescribe an appropriate course. It's your knee but they've likely dealt with hundred of these in contrast to your one.

Hi all

Thanks for all the replies on the topic. A bit of an update.

The surgery went well. The doctor reconstructed the torn ACL with the hamstring tendon and there was a medial meniscus tear (which is the main reason I had the surgery). I am seeing a physio who specialises in sports medicine and is a rugby player as well. He is really good. However, the knee is not healing as quick as it should since it is still fairly sore and swollen. I am able to get almost a full extension on it though. Still working away on the exercise ball, stationary bike etc as they physio recommends. It looks like a long slow, journey ahead but I am committed to persevering and healing and getting back to the mountains.

Glad your surgery went well. Glad also to hear that you've got a PT who understands that the goal is to return to your former activities, not just get by.

From what I saw during rehab, extension is a big problem for lots of people. I never had a problem with it (the opposite actually) but I saw lots of others who did. Early on, I'd just be conservative and do what they prescribe. When it starts feeling better (and it will), let them know and they may be able to judge whether you're ready for more activity. You might have a couple of set backs. Lots of people do, just know that you'll eventually get better, but will come back far stronger if you're faithful to your PT.

Good luck.

fatdad wrote:Glad your surgery went well. Glad also to hear that you've got a PT who understands that the goal is to return to your former activities, not just get by.

From what I saw during rehab, extension is a big problem for lots of people. I never had a problem with it (the opposite actually) but I saw lots of others who did. Early on, I'd just be conservative and do what they prescribe. When it starts feeling better (and it will), let them know and they may be able to judge whether you're ready for more activity. You might have a couple of set backs. Lots of people do, just know that you'll eventually get better, but will come back far stronger if you're faithful to your PT.

Good luck.

Quick update 3 months post surgery. I have almost normal range of motion so to say....Full extension....Still a bit of soreness during climbing and descending and walking a little bit but seems to be getting better. I have been on the stationary bike almost every day for the last 2 months and am upto an hour per session at moderate resistance. I have also started doing leg presses and other exercises prescribed by the phsyio. A follow up appt with the surgeon is in September but he gave me the go ahead to start jogging ....he said I should be good to tackle some hikes by Sept but we will wait and see.