Should I attend camp 5 months after ACL surgery?

**Redtiger** · 05-27-2007, 12:03 PM

Am I pushing the envelope by going to High Cascade Snowboard Camp 5 months to the day after my surgery?

What does everyone think? Will I blow out my knee again before winter?

Any advise would mean allot.

**Vinman** · 05-29-2007, 06:02 AM

5 months is pretty quick. That question should be asked to your surgeon.

Also what is the rush? If you are a pro athlete than maybe I could see why you want to be back so fast. But if you are just a regular joe then there is no need to rush your recovery.

**skimasterflex** · 05-31-2007, 01:14 PM

how does your leg feel? Not just the knee but the entire leg? Are you strong and confident enough to get back on your board? The thing is is that it takes longer for the new tissue to become assimilated into the body, recieve normal bloodflow and be at full working condition, than it does for your muscles to return to full strength. So even if you feel your legs are up to it your acl isn't.

**altagirl** · 05-31-2007, 01:18 PM

I'd say definitely no. That's the point at which your doc is probably just barely going to be letting you back on snow - you still have to build up from there. You're not going to jump back into it right where you left off. Yeah, it might be a good idea to start with a lesson or two to get your form back right, but a full camp? Why waste the money? Even if your muscles are back strong enough to handle consecutive full days, it's not a good idea, IMO.

**FrankZappa** · 05-31-2007, 01:58 PM

I suggest you trade the Snowboard camp ticket for one to Band camp. Have you heard the memorable stories the come outa that place?

**Mofro261** · 05-31-2007, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by FrankZappa

I suggest you trade the Snowboard camp ticket for one to Band camp. Have you heard the memorable stories the come outa that place?

This is excellent advice.

I could see a return to snow sliding at 5 months, but not for going to jib-camp.

**mtnbikerskierchick** · 05-31-2007, 02:53 PM

You will be able to snowboard 5 months after surgery for sure, but the kind of snowboarding you'd do at a camp is not what you should be doing. You need to ease into it. You would not be able to get your full moneys-worth out of the camp if you went only 5 months after surgery. Wait until next year

**Redtiger** · 06-01-2007, 11:01 PM

Thanks for all the responses. I just bagged my trip till next June. I think it is a smart choice. What fun is camp when you can't run with the big dogs (or small ones as well)?

**Laurene** · 06-02-2007, 11:42 AM

Red Tiger,

I'm by far no expert, but my vote is look to the future and take it easy for right now. I think we have to change our way of thinking. Yes, you feel better but you will be putting stress on your knee like there was nothing wrong, because you feel good, and you forget ,in your excitment. But if you reinjured your knee you would be really mad at yourself.. Go easier for now and look forward to ski season to make your comeback.

good luck!

**drmark** · 06-02-2007, 01:30 PM

It takes about three months for an auto. patella graft from the opposite leg to be good to go.

It takes about six months for an auto. patella graft from the same knee to be good to go.

It takes about eight months for an auto. hamstring to be good to go.

It takes a minimum of one year, and maybe as many as three years for a cadaver graft to be good to go. (this is because of the slowness of revascularizing a dead graft that has been treated which chemical disinfectants)