Acl surgery?

Is this my last option?I had an accident 2 weeks ago -I feel and tore my acl & lcl ligamenst in my knee & just recently started walking lightly a week ago-I thought it was healing & now the dctr is telling me I have to have surgery or eventually i will not be able to run or do sports!!!Is this my last option ????Is there any medcation i can take or therapy to fix this?

Look, I am in the process of scheduling my third ACL reconstruction since 1993. My right acl is currently torn, but I can still run, workout, and carry on with my life. However, I do not play any sports or ski because there is no support to my knee.

No medication will help. All you will do in Therapy is work to get your range of motion back, then its all about strengthening the muscles around your knee. You will be more at risk of doing an activity and having your knee 'slip" which may cause your cartilage to tear.

Go for the surgery, your knee will be stronger in the long run.

If you choose surgery, you will be faced with the decision of using your patella tendon for the replacement or a cadaver's ligament (Allograph).

I'm using an allograph this go around. I used the middle third of my petella tendon for the first one, my hamstrings for the second; I'm tired of cutting on myself. plus they would have to cut my good leg to get the replacement ligament.

have the surgery, work hard in rehab, and you will be as good as new.

I played college football and I came back bigger, faster, and stronger after my first acl surgery.

good luck.

You can consult a physiotherapist or sports therapist they are excellent with these types of injuries. Is your doctor a specialist orthopaedic surgeon, if not consult one of these. You can always try for a second opinion. I don't know exactly what you have done to your anterior cruciate ligament so surgery may well be your only otion.

Good Luck,

Chris- Registered Nurse

almost exactly 2 wks ago I completely tore my ACL, and tore my meniscus as well. after tons of research online, speaking with an orthopaedic Dr. and talking to many other friends who have torn their ACL, I will definitely have surgery. Being a very active young person that enjoys a lot of different "extreme" type sports, i see it as my only option. unless you want to "go easy" on your injured knee for the rest of your life, risk early onset arthritis, and risk tearing your meniscus (the cartlidge within your knee, i would suggest you look into surgery too. Have you had an MRI yet to determine if they are complete tears or only partial tears? Partials can be strengthened and somewhat healed, but complete tears leave the ligament useless.

I too started walking on my bad leg after 1 wk and thought I was getting better, but there is only so much strength you can build over time - the actual Anterior Crucial Ligament does not heal at all - it's a fact of science - it must be reconstructed if you ever want it to be normal again. Frustrating, i know, I am a snowboarder that is now out for the remainder of the season...and I live in colorado! but the sooner you get it reconstructed and rehabilitate and heal from the surgery, the sooner you can be active again. i don't know where you live, but around these parts it is one of the most common injuries, and tons of people have had the surgery. Just make sure you use a Dr. that has tons of experience in them. good luck!