ROM and ACL Surgery

Tore ACL on Nov 23 and I have surgery scheduled for April 7. I went to PT for a month and a half, 2x per week, but stopped to save the visits for after surgery. I have full extension in my knee, but never made it past 118-120 in flexion. Granted, I hadnt (and havnt) been doing the heel slides maybe as much as I should because they are boring. My knee just doesnt seem to want to bend more. My PT said there could be something blocking it and maybe they will discover that during surgery. My question is, will this possibly effect my rehab after surgery, if my ROM isnt good now? Should I be really pushing myself now--and trying to work through pain? Should I go back to PT? I'll admit, besides occassional alpine and cross country skiing, I have been a major lazy sloth since this happened to me. I plan to get back into the gym next week and really ramp up to get myself in as good of shape as I can before surgery. Some people have surgery right away, so i would imagine their ROM wouldnt be that good either.

I tore my ACL on Jan 2 and had surgery done on Feb 15. I went to PT for one week and continued to do the exercises at home for 3 weeks. Wanted to save the sessions for post-op. I regained full ROM before surgery. Heel slides are indeed very boring.

Now after 12 days of post-op, I have 120 degrees of flexion and 0 degree extension. (150 flexion and negative 3 extension on the good leg) Was on the bike on the 10th day. My PT says I am ahead of the curve and my quad strength is exceptional. Minimal bruising and swelling.

Considering this I am glad I did my exercises pre-op.

Did anything come up in your MRI? Other than a torn ACL? Speak to your ortho about this?

Another thing, my ortho didn't recommend using the CPM and said I had to 500x3 heel slides each day :eek: So far I have managed to do 800 on a good day.

I say keep doing the slides. Push through the pain. Get used to 'em slides!

No don't push it. Full extension is more important than full flexion, which for most people is around 140 +/-. Full rom isn't necessary to strengthen the squads and hamstrings, still work on continuing to strengthen the leg but not to the point of "working through the pain." I don't think I ever got much past 125-130 last year before surgery (5 months later) and that had no effect on my rehab. What did effect it was riding a stationary bike 7-10 hrs a week prior to surgery. I was back to 0-125 before two weeks.

Get on the stationary bike at least 30 min to an hour a day. Use ice liberally to minimize inflamation . If you lack self-motivation, then go back to PT.

Thanks for the advice!

I am busy in wintertime, so often work late. when its cold and dark in the am, I find it very difficult to get up and go to the gym--even though its a block from my house! between that, the injury and quitting smoking I am becoming quite the pudge!

I will back back in there hardcore next week and peddle my buns off!

Surgery was three weeks ago today. They used a hamstring graft. I'm currently doing heel slides and am at 120 degrees. working on building up the thigh again with leg lifts on my back and stomach.