Torn ACL in the parks

[SA mom]

I have new questions.

I just found out my little accident 2 months ago is a torn ACL. We have a trip planned in July. Right now I have no pain and I'm walking 2 1/2 to 3 miles every morning just fine. No limp, no swelling. The only problem is that I've had one incident of an unstable knee.

Questions:

How long after having ACL reconstruction did you hit WDW?

Is there such a thing as a "summer weight" brace? Mine is so hot.



I'm hoping I can rehab the knee without surgery.


UPDATE: I've had the surgery with a new technique and doing well. Two weeks out and I have 105 degrees. Doc says I should be jogging in 4 weeks (vacation is in 6 weeks and 4 days). Funny he says that because I haven't jogged in about 30 years. Anyway...

How does one stay cool with this big brace on?

What about water parks? Will they let me on the slides with this brace when they even make you take your shoes off?

 

[lustergirl]

I just found out my little accident 2 months ago is a torn ACL. We have a trip planned in July. Right now I have no pain and I'm walking 2 1/2 to 3 miles every morning just fine. No limp, no swelling. The only problem is that I've had one incident of an unstable knee.

Questions:

How long after having ACL reconstruction did you hit WDW?

Is there such a thing as a "summer weight" brace? Mine is so hot.



I'm hoping I can rehab the knee without surgery.

Wow: you are doing great. I have meniscus damage and find walking very difficult at times. I am waiting for surgery and changing doctors because my old one is stalling big time, I have had this injury since last November. He seems to think it is going away on its own. Not going to happen. I am surprised that you are able to get around that much. A torn ACL is way worse than a torn meniscus. Good Luck

 

[smi727]

Discuss your surgical vs nonsurgical options with your doctor prior to making any decisions.

With that being said, you should be able to do Disney with lots of breaks approx 10-12 weeks post-op. Make sure you don't over do it and keep an eye out for swelling. You can always grab an ice pack at the First Aid Centers.

There is no such thing as a "summer weight" brace. It is what it is but they are hot and tend to slide down esp when sweaty.

You very well may be able to rehab without surgery as long as you're not having too many incidences of instability. Again, discuss pros and cons with your surgeon as you run an increased risk of developing arthritis without surgery.

 

[lustergirl]

Discuss your surgical vs nonsurgical options with your doctor prior to making any decisions.

With that being said, you should be able to do Disney with lots of breaks approx 10-12 weeks post-op. Make sure you don't over do it and keep an eye out for swelling. You can always grab an ice pack at the First Aid Centers.

There is no such thing as a "summer weight" brace. It is what it is but they are hot and tend to slide down esp when sweaty.

You very well may be able to rehab without surgery as long as you're not having too many incidences of instability. Again, discuss pros and cons with your surgeon as you run an increased risk of developing arthritis without surgery.

SMI: sending you a private message.

 

[JediMasterMatt]

I'm a proud member of the ACL reconstruction crowd. Had reconstruction using a graft from my patellar tendon. The most important part of any surgery on a joint is to make sure you have full range of motion. The issue with my surgery was that the ligament wedged under my kneecap after it tore and limited my range of motion pre-op. The school of thought at the time was to go through 6 weeks pre-op physcial therapy and then 6 weeks post-op. I was very athletic at the time of the tear and didn't really need pre-op PT, but went along with it. Unfortunately, since the tendon went under my kneecap when it exploded, I had about 98 degrees motion instead of the 110 you should have. After they removed the tendon in surgery, I had signifcant issues with walking because I had 6 weeks worth of PT muscle memory training for only 98 degrees extension. It made taking very step a virtual free fall for the last few degrees. Unfortuately, I ended up doing more damage post-op to my knee because of this. So, my 2 cents - make sure you have the full range of motion before surgery to make life easier post op.

In regards to Disney life after surgery, I don't really have issues with ligament stability thankfully. All of my issues are due to patellar tendinosis. If I'm walking a lot (like at Disney) my knee will get swelling and cause the knee cap to float out of place (which then gives me the fun job of realigning it). Once the swelling starts, the only thing you can do is ice and stay off it. Unfortunately, that isn't possible on a Disney vacation (other than when you are back at the room). The only thing you can do at that point is try to keep the knee cap aligned by wearing a brace/sleeve that will hold it (or tape will work too). Unfortunately, the braces are all hot and there is no combatting that. I've gotten good at moving the brace down my leg when I'm off my feet for a period of time (like eating or at a show). My last trip to Disneyland in February was unfortunately hard on me since we forgot my brace. I had to resort to using tape.

After surgery, I did switch to wearing as light of a shoe as possible as it made it easier moving around. A good pair of running shoes is what I usually have while at Disney.

Of course, my Disney knee issues would be simplified if I didn't carry around 30lbs of camera equipment - but then if I did that, I wouldn't have thousands of pictures to process when I get home.

Good luck with your knee.

 

[SA mom]

Thanks, all. I finally got an appointment with an very well recommended orthopedists... In two weeks. I'll definitely ask about nonsurgical options.

Has anyone used those moisture wicking leg sleeves under their brace?

I think I will just have to take lots not afternoon breaks by the pool with a cool drink.

 

[ElizabethG]

That really stinks! I tore my ACL in college. I was covered under the athletics program of a Big 10 school. So, my surgery was about one week after the injury. I had daily rehab for four months. That was 20 years ago (ouch!). I rarely have problems with my knee. I don't even own a brace for it. That said, I wouldn't attempt a Disney trip only a couple of months post op. If you are doing alright, and you doctor thinks it would work, I would wait to have surgery until after the trip.

 

[wuzzy6]

I had a complete tear of the ACL with reconstructive surgery (double bundle hamstring tendon autograph) and partial meniscectomy after a skiing accident in 2010. I had a month of PT prior to the surgery, and I had about 3 months of PT afterward. Personally, I would not have tried to do Disney within 3-4 months post op, but it varies between individuals. Regardless of what anyone says, definitely clear everything with your doctor. Good luck!!!

 

[csmith041177]

You are definately a trooper. I don't have any first hand experience, but did want to say good luck!

 

[rwdavis2]

A friend has a torn ACL and his doctor said he does not need surgery. I think the only real issue with an ACL is stability. Hines Ward played football with no ACL at all in his left knee.

 

[SA mom]

I have 13 year old twin girls that are totally psyched for this trip. The idea of cancelling is completely unfathomable. I'm really hoping I can rehab the knee because I don't like the idea of renting a scooter either. I walked over SeaWorld on Saturday. My feet and back hurt, but my knee felt fine.

 

[ZoZo]

I have 13 year old twin girls that are totally psyched for this trip. The idea of cancelling is completely unfathomable. I'm really hoping I can rehab the knee because I don't like the idea of renting a scooter either. I walked over SeaWorld on Saturday. My feet and back hurt, but my knee felt fine.

Please consider using a scooter if you can. It would sure be a shame to re-injure the knee or set back your recovery by trying to tough it out.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

I tore my ACL when I was 17 (In May) but the MRIs were inconclusive and they thought it was just a contusion so the doctor gave me the ok to continue playing after a month of PT.

Fast forward to September and my knee is STILL bothering me. Anytime I did a jump stop my knee would just give out and I'd sit the rest of the game. I went back to the doctor and did another set of MRIs-sure enough there was a complete tear along with meniscus damage. The doctor felt like an idiot and scheduled the surgery the following week in October. I rehabbed for 3 months and got back to playing basketball in January. It was my senior year and I had no other choice. (I may have cheated on the strength test that allowed me to go back to playing basketball)

I still have knee problems today probably because I came back too soon. However, I have a fairly strenuous job (I'm a massage therapist). Going to Disney shouldn't be a problem a few months after surgery. A couple weeks is one thing but months I think you're good. In fact, the doctor made me walk the same day I had surgery.

With all that said, if it's just a partial tear I'd check about just rehabbing. If it's a complete tear I'd have surgery and work your butt off to get it back in shape!

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

I have 13 year old twin girls that are totally psyched for this trip. The idea of cancelling is completely unfathomable. I'm really hoping I can rehab the knee because I don't like the idea of renting a scooter either. I walked over SeaWorld on Saturday. My feet and back hurt, but my knee felt fine.

Your feet and back hurt because you were compensating for your knee. Will there be other adults going with you? They can take over whenever you need a break?

 

[Dizduke]

If you go nonsurgical you need to strengthen the muscles above and below the joint to stabilize the knee. I'd suggest knee extensions, hamstring curls and calf raises. Braces are great for support but without strength training the weak knee will get worse over time.

 

[bwang123]

I just found out my little accident 2 months ago is a torn ACL. We have a trip planned in July. Right now I have no pain and I'm walking 2 1/2 to 3 miles every morning just fine. No limp, no swelling. The only problem is that I've had one incident of an unstable knee.

Questions:

How long after having ACL reconstruction did you hit WDW?

Is there such a thing as a "summer weight" brace? Mine is so hot.



I'm hoping I can rehab the knee without surgery.

i had a torn ACL and meniscus (didnt know it at the time). it was swollen for a few days and i thought it was better and was at the gym and even ran a 5k. eventually, the meniscus started rolling up and locking up my leg. that's when i went to the doctor and told me about the tear. so, i would say that I could have done a disney trip with no problem. i would wear a brace since you know.

but after surgery, i could not have gone for probably at least 2 months, maybe longer. i had crutches and a brace, then rehab. part of it was also mental where i thought i would re-injure it even after having the brace off. i would have probably worried about my knee too much as it was bumped around on certain rides.