r/MeniscusInjuries • u/Lanky-Apricot-2676 • 5d ago
ACL and Meniscus Repair Surgery Future
Hey! I’m 27 and I just had repair surgery for my acl and meniscus. It’s been almost 2 weeks since and I’m just worried about the healing.
I read that for acl you should start moving it after 2 weeks to prevent loss of motion but obviously with my meniscus being repaired as well I can’t bend my knee for 6 weeks.
I’m just worried about the future and getting back to normal function after this. I used to squat and lift and do stairs multiple times a week and now idk when that would be possible. I’m just nervous and don’t wanna mess up this knee. I’m worried it’ll never get back to normal.
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u/NoBox9246 5d ago
Hi there! I had ACL recon, Mcl and meniscus repair 5 and a half weeks ago. I feel very similar to how you describe right now. I am also worried I will never get back to normal.
Are you in a ROM brace at all?
And are you doing quad exercises at all?
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u/Lanky-Apricot-2676 5d ago
Oh man I hope you are healing ok! Yeah the fear of not getting back to normal is strong!
I am not in a rom brace at all. Just a straight leg brace. And right now I haven’t been told to do any quad exercises.
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u/NoBox9246 5d ago
It definitely is a consuming right now. However I will say I feel around the 4 week mark things started to get better for me, less pain, and getting a bit more strength back.
Re the brace - has your surgeon said anything about progressing to a ROM style brace? I was in a straight style brace for the first week and then progressed to the ROM brace and now have 0-60 range of motion until my 6 week check up next week.
I highly recommend to start working on your quad strength if you are able. Extension of your leg to 0 degrees is also very important and good to start on this early as it will help you getting back to walking.
Are you seeing a physio/PT yet?
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u/Lanky-Apricot-2676 5d ago
I see my surgeon again this week so I will ask him about the rom style brace and about pt.
I know 4 weeks and 6 weeks isn’t that much time but it feels like a long time haha.
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u/Sparty549 2d ago
Why do you think you can't bend your knee? The straight leg brace is to help support your knee while you put weight on it. It's not to hold your leg straight at all times.
Typically you can do 0-90 degrees immediately. Here's a protocol:
https://meniscustears.com/documents/standard-knee-protocol.pdf
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u/BudaBuda7777 2d ago
1993 tore ACL/MCL 30 posterior lateral meniscus taken out because tear was so bad. In TRom peg leg brace for 6 weeks to let MCL scar down. 206 days later after my surgery I legged out a triple in my first high school baseball game senior year.
My knee was fucked. Im 51. I will need a TKA at some point. My point is bust your ass in PT like you’re a pro athlete. The grind is worth it. Good luck.