4+ years after non-surgical rehab
I tore my ACL at age 39 playing beach volleyball in Costa Rica four years ago (top gun, smh). I consulted 9 different docs, and it was 5-4 surgery v no surgery. I elected for no surgery because I had a little kid and another on the way and was going back to grad school full time for a few years. I didn’t want to be incapacitated for a few months and I could walk and jog and lift without much discomfort. And also because I drove to Syracuse and spent time with a surgeon and his PT who both said that surgery wouldn’t guarantee my knee would be more stable than just good rehab.
I rehabbed hard for a few months at Zarrett in Philly. Read a bunch about how the ACL could heal on its own. Four years later I’ve had no issues with it. I don’t do anything crazy explosive off it, but I will play hoops and soccer with my kids. I bike, lift, and run without issue. Rode a century a few weeks ago.
If you’re not a competitive athlete and are wondering about surgery, hopefully my story helps.