ACL reconstruction~ paranoid!

[paperman]

So, I'm 6 weeks post-op ACLR (chronic) semitendonosis graft and partial medial meniscopy. My surgeon has a reputation for being ultra conservative (keeps warning me to not be too aggressive with rehab etc), I feel pretty good and I am now ambulating on one crutch, braced and little to no limp).

2 days ago I had a long day (office work, house cleaning, and out with a buddy after). Walking up my driveway I lost my balance slightly and stepped backwards onto my repaired leg , not enough to fully weight bear but awkward (no twisting, still braced). When I got home I fell right to sleep. In the AM I had an unusual pain (when walking) near the medial femoral condyle superior to the meniscus removal (could this be a strained MCL?!)...the knee also felt weaker than the day before, not completely unstable, but enough that I don't trust it completely.

Whew! My question is this, is there any indication when a graft fails? Is there concrete research done during the 6-12 week revascularization in terms of a T-1000 type of #? As I understand it 80-90% of early graft failures are a result of poor fiaxation (ie. poor bone tunnel alignment etc) But that still leaves 10% attributed to trauma.

I pray that I'm being PARANIOD and overly cautious and that I've just strained my atrophied muscles (noodleleg) and all will be better in a few days. Does anyone have any similar stories or information? I'd appreciate it! (hope you made it to the end of my novel).

[beaterdit]

Wow, you really ARE paranoid...
Two threads!

Seriously though, I've had both done and at various times during the rehab phase I've been sure that I've reinjured something but I never had. I would attribute your pain to muscle strain which can manifest as a sharp pain either medial or lateral posterior and it can make it seem like your knee is weaker due to involuntary guarding. I would recommend a lot of stretching of your calf and hamstrings. I'm no doctor though, if it doesn't resolve it can't hurt to talk to him/her.

[paperman]

Foxy, this sounds right to me...I think the surgeons conservative attitude is rubbing off on me! Thanks for the reassurance, it almost makes my knee feel better Anyhoo, slow and steady wins the race I guess *rolls eyes*

[beaterdit]

Don't mention it but...

*rolls eyes*

We've got a smiley for that here.

You can delete your other thread now.

JONG!

[0BernhardFranz]

mri would tell but the normal test may rip the graft out i heard they actually tore healthy acls etc.
you should be very careful ... move objects out of the way, relax, sleep early - grafts heal at night while you sleep take all the meds and therapies that help pray