5-6 month post full ACL reconstruction + meniscus surgery update
Hi guys, just thought id make a post talking about my current condition as I'm nearing 6 months since my surgery and I wanted to talk about some struggles I've faced and currently facing as someone trying to get back to sports.
5.7 months post operation and I'm able to walk normally and have full extension and retraction. its been a long journey to get here with the hardest part mainly being the mental aspect due to the fact i use to be a very active person before my ACL tear often taking part in multiple sports like boxing and volleyball. This combined with the feeling of zero progress sometimes would feed my paranoia about being able to get back into sport as at times it feels like I am making 0 progress with my PT, but luckily that isn't the case as like i have mentioned previously i have gained most of my mobility back and currently on the process of learning how to run again.
I have been been able to get back in the gym again, although I still have to be mindful about my knee, which meant I could work on trying to get a summer bod haha. On better news I have been able to start going back on the punching bag for cardio. I know to some it seems absurd but i make sure my sessions on the heavy bag doesn't include any fast lower body movement like pivoting just to ease it up on the knee.
Outside of all the great achievements so far there is still room for a lot of improvement before I get back to sports fully, IF I get back. For example, getting back to running has been a tough process that I'm still going through as my PT pointed out I've developed a "hip drop" due to my glute on the surgery side becoming weaker making it hard to stabilize as I switch legs while running. this resulted in doing some exercises I find difficult and the process is slow and often feeling stagnant which makes me feel I'm making 0 progress. other than that, I have days where my knee feels weaker than usual, mild soreness while bending, kneecap slightly shifting. And despite being able to deep squat My hips still are unbalanced while squatting and lowering but I feel like that is related to my "hip drop" issue. Often these negatives play with my mind when it comes to the possibility returning to sports. important to note I've been keeping track of my PT often doing the assigned exercises 3 times weekly.
If I had to advise someone who would be going through the same surgery I did, id suggest starting prehab ASAP as it helped me progress faster in terms of regaining strength and muscle back in my leg. another piece of advice would be to come terms with the fact that your knee will never be 100% again so if you do plan on returning to sport there is a chance u have to change up your play style. I use to see those posts saying that after acl surgery their knee is better than before but personally i dont see how that is possible after a full reconstruction AND meniscus. I feel like no matter how recovered my knee gets i will always feel it.
ok that's all I have to say for now sorry for the incoherent rambling lol. if anyone has any questions or stories of their own or even suggestions, feel free to share!