Nivek wrote:Indu: Your information seems a bit...dated. Rehab starts on the same day as the ACL reconstruction surgery. Patients typically are on crutches for 7-10 days unless they also had mensicus repair or had another ligament reconstructed. In those cases, it might be 3-4 weeks on crutches.
Expectations nowadays are for people to return to sports approximately 6 months after reconstructive surgery. Maybe a little longer time if multiple ligaments need reconstruction.
Just before my 39th birthday, I tore my ACL, strained my MCL and partially tore my meniscus. I was able to stand on my leg in the Recovery Room after surgery. I shed my crutches in 2 days and could walk without a limp after 9. I played basketball again in 5 months (although my physical therapist wasn't happy with me). After about 9 months, I could play basketball with no noticeable difference from my pre-injury form. (I'm fortunate that I injured my right knee since I jump off my left.)
Currently, my only issue is that my hamstring is a bit weak (they did a hamstring graft rather than a cadaver since I had no need to maintain elite athleticism). On the hamstring curl machine at the gym, I can lift 55 pounds of plates with my reconstructed knee, and 65 with my good knee. The ACL itself feels fine. I can play ball with no brace and can run 10 miles with no knee soreness.