u/Iron-Quill

This is my first post on this site ever. I have been lurking for a few weeks trying to learn about ACL surgery and now want to post my own questions and hear experiences from others.

49F taekwondo martial artist. Chose allograft after very strongly considering BEAR due to some feedback from my surgeon over limited flexibility and a more truer 18 months + to return to sport with the BEAR amongst other reasons. I am not interested in an autograft due to donor site issues affecting my legs. I train hard but realize I will need to slow down for the next year.

Here are my questions/concerns in no particular order:

1. My biggest concern is post op pain. I had a medically induced labor with my son with horrific back labor that failed two epidurals and all IV pains meds. It was a traumatizing experience and I am nervous the nerve block won’t work for me. I do understand it’s different but I have also read several accounts from people where their nerve blocks didn’t work. I am trying to get an extended one to last hopefully 2-3 days. Did anyone get an extended nerve block? Did it help w the pain? How soon after surgery did your start layering in your oral meds? If your nerve block failed, what was the back up plan?

2. I told my dr I get nauseated w pain meds so he LOWERED my dose of Norco from 10 to 7.5 and also rx me journavx which is not an opioid. Anyone have experience w this pain med and did it help? Wondering if this is enough w Norco 7.5. Wondering if I should have him increase the Norco back to 10. I am reading horror stories about post - op pain from this surgery that has me scared to death.

3. Has anyone used a cold/hot/compression therapy machine? Did it help a lot w managing pain?

4. My dr didn’t rx me ibuprofen. I’m worried about the swelling. He gave me a higher dose aspirin for DVT prevention but I’m wondering if that’s enough for swelling. I know this is a question for my doctor but wondering if anyone didn’t use ibuprofen and was ok w the swelling on aspirin alone. Since increased swelling increases pain levels, this is a concern for me.

5. Tell me about your immediate post op experience days 1-3. How bad was your pain honestly? There are horror stories here. I realize most people post when it’s bad and maybe less when it’s good. I would love to hear the good stories. I prehabbed for 2 months and got my quad strength back to 85+% and already have a very strong athletic baseline in my legs as a martial artist. I really hope this helps!

6. If you are a martial artist and had an allograft, tell me about how soon you returned to your sport and were you ever able to get back to your prior performance level? Did you return to your studio in a modified way before full re turn to sport and if so, how soon was that?

7. When did you ditch crutches, walk, drive? It’s my right leg. Assume no meniscus involvement. We won’t know till surgery but functionally don’t suspect it. 10 weeks post injury I am walking 2 miles a day; single leg pressing 120 lbs and single knee extensions at 40-50 lbs. I don’t have any popping or catching or joint line pain so really hoping no meniscus involvement. 🙏

8. What things helped you the most post op and what advice would you give?

Please share your allograft surgery experiences—the good/bad/ugly all welcome.

Thank you in advance.

Surgery is in 8 days.

Hi! This is my first post ever to this site. I’m a 40+F martial artist (TKD) with a full ACL tear maybe possible meniscus involvement (3 different surgeons had 3 diff opinions that all differed from MRI report). I am 16 days away from my scheduled surgery date. I am planning to do the BEAR implant if my ACL is in good enough shape when my surgeon gets in there, or default is to an allograph.

I am choosing the BEAR implant after extensive research for my particular situation. As a martial artist, I’m particularly interested in keeping my native tissue to maintain my proprioception and mechanoreceptors. My sport has high pivoting and impact demands and we do a lot of single leg rotational pivoting in hyperextension while sliding on the pivoting foot. I am really hoping to return to sparring at the end of this recovery process. That said, I’m a recreational athlete. I don’t compete but I do train hard and intensely. Autographs do not appeal to me because I am concerned the trade offs for the donor site may weaken my leg in some way and impact my performance (80% kicking sport). This is not medical advice and anyone seeking ACL surgery options should consult with their physician for the best option that suits their particular situation and return to sport goals.

I am looking for stories and experiences from others who have had the BEAR implant in general, and more specifically those returning to high impact and pivoting sports.

How is your knee holding up now? Do you feel like you were able to fully return to your sport? Do you trust your knee? How was recovery? How was pain post - op days 1-3? When did you get off crutches and walk? Drive? Did you follow the conservative MIACH protocol and stay on your crutches for 6 weeks (I know some do not). How bad was your muscle atrophy after 6 weeks on crutches (I have strong legs, i’m most sad for the atrophy part). How long did it take you to return to sport? Did you also do an internal brace and if so, can you share how that may have changed your recovery? Do you have any tips/pros/cons? Please share.
ALL stories and experiences are welcome.
Thank you! 🙏