Highs and lows

Writing this so others can learn from my mistake. And hoping others that have had a similar experience can shed light on the end of the tunnel.

I had a fully torn ACL after a skiing injury (should’ve stayed on the bunny slopes) in late February. I’m highly active and was a high rise window cleaner so the doc recommended surgery. We set the surgery date approx. 3 weeks after injury. The doc asked if I wanted to do prehab and I said no. I had work obligations and I didn’t think I needed it. First mistake.

Walked into surgery without crutches and 90 degrees of flexion. Hamstring graft and no meniscus issues. Had the surgery and was sent home with a list of exercises to do. The next day I tried a quad set and was shocked at my lifeless quad. The swelling was severe and I was terrified to move. I elevated a little but in hindsight not enough. Second mistake. Over your heart. Tried icing but couldn’t even tolerate an ice pad. Third mistake. The first week was hell, could barely sleep and get comfortable. Tried the exercises again, quad was AWOL. The other exercises were painful so I stopped trying. Fourth mistake.

I didn’t start rehab until 2 weeks after surgery. The stitches were out and I should have been walking by now according to the doctors. The rehab place followed a very conservative protocol that they found on internet and did not match my doctor’s. Fifth mistake. We spent the next 4 weeks trying to get my quad to fire and some strengthening exercises. We got to 90 degrees of flexion and extension was still good.

By my second follow up I was barely at 90 degrees and still using crutches. Doctors told me to switch rehab place and what a world of difference. I had a joint effusion and a somewhat working quad. It still wasn’t firing properly and had significantly atrophied along with my calf. The very first session she pushed my leg into flexion and I heard a pop, releasing scar tissue.

I’m now 4 months post op and have gotten to 128 degrees of flexion and lost extension 3-5 degrees. I can’t fully extend my knee and my gait has suffered. My surgical leg muscles are constantly tightening up and stretching helps but always comes back. The “good” leg has taken a beating over the last few months. Doctor might do an MUA and arthroscopic surgery to remove scar tissue. I can’t wait.

Thank you for listening. This subreddit has been my lifeline through recovery. Y’all are amazing folks.