Hikin' without an ACL? Anybody

“Anybody out there opted not to have ACL reconstruction?

I recently tore the ACL in my right knee. I'm curious to know if anyone has opted not to have the surgery and how hiking without that ligament has been?”

“I think you'd find your ability to move over rugged terrain limited. You might learn to compensate with your other leg getting stronger, but I would recommend the surgery if you want to have your "old self" back.

Good luck - sorry to hear you got your self hurt!”

“I'm missing about 30% of my right medial meniscus since 1985.
There are good days and bad days.

ACL???
Yikes!!!

Does your knee try to hyper-extent without the ACL?”

“I'm scheduled for the surgery, 21 June.

I just keep thinking, "wonder if I can get by without it?" Being bullheaded I suppose.

I've read of a few runners who resume running without their acl..course I reckon they're on a semi flat surface most of the time.

Marko ..I've not been able to totally straighten like my left leg since this happened...and the doc has drained it 3 times since April...he claims to be my friend but..mmm..I'm not so sure.
last edited: 6/08/07 9:13:41 AM”

“Hmmmm, West Virginia would be a nice place to recuperate 28-29-30 June.

Maybe Gem would drive you up.

>8^]”

“I'd the spend time now and fix it. Not having it might lead to other problems that could have been easily avoided if you had gotten you knee fixed/repaired.”

“Yep. I think having all your parts fixed is the way to go. Choosing Who does the fixing would be my concern... and having more than one opinion before surgery. Maybe three! < G >

Good Luck!!”

“I tore something in my knee in a motorcycle crash 30 years ago. I never got it fixed. Sometimes it pops out on me at certain angles, but I've been able to do just about anything over the years. I do my best to keep my knee strong.”

“I smashed my knee into a concrete stair 40 years ago and split the meniscus. It broke loose in '84 and would move around. After hearing about arthroscopic I had the piece removed in '85.
That piece of meniscus is sorely missed now and then. Keeping the knees strong is the ticket.”

“What mine does is bend outward under certain conditions. It happens once in the while hiking, but just bends back and I keep going. I usually fall though when it does happen.”

“An Alabama punter tore his a couple years back and finished out his senior season. It was his kicking leg.”

“I have been blessed with good knees that have never been injured (whew!). I would think that people who have the most success continuing with activities without fixing a torn ACL would be when the knee motion is pretty consistent, like running on pavement or walking, cycling, etc. But, for me, I would want to have all of the knee parts in working order for backpacking or dayhiking, due to frequent uneven terrain, stepping on rocks, etc. The surgeries they do on this kind of thing, from what I hear, are usually pretty successful and lots of docs know how to do it right.”

“Couldn't tell you about an ACL...but I don't have a right knee anymore. They had to fuse my right leg straight. Going to do my left one in July. Hopefully I can walk again...just like a Penguin! :)”

“Good to hear from ya Mike --- and Good Luck with the surgerizin'!”

“Carlette, check out this website, and go the bulletin board. You might want to scroll down and look in the specialist's office for Cruciate ligaments, see if you can find someone who has asked the question. Or become a member and ask it yourself. Lots of good info here!

http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/”

“Thanks Tilt!

Pamela...I've seen that site before. I agree...lots of great into on that site!”