Re: Torn ACL - seeking advice

[Guest guest]

Hi ! While my son does not have CMT (at least he's not showing any

signs of CMT yet.. I was in my 30's when they dxed me), he has had 3 ACL

surgeries due to playing soccer. The third surgery was an accident and a

long story. He recuperated very quickly from the first surgery. I think he

was back on the field 6 weeks later to play but after about two weeks and

only three or four days in bed doing nothing immediately after surgery) he

was out and about.

He was about 15 at his first surgery and the second one was about 6 months

later. The day he went back on the field, he tore the other knee! The

surgeon said he had abnormally narrow passageways in his knees, probably

since birth. He now has " bionic " knees and can do just about everything but

ski.

At your age and as athletic as you are, I would definitely have the ACL

repaired because it will provide stability to your knee. The surgery is 100%

successful, unlike back surgeries, and it will keep you active and will

enable you to keep exercising. If you don't have the surgery, at least my son

was told, you will have to give up sports probably because the knee will

not be secure.

While I am no expert, by any means, I can relate to your dilemma since my

son went through the same thing. He has no regrets whatsoever AND it is an

outpatient surgery. As long as you follow through with the PT that is

required, I think you will be pleased. I know you have CMT but I don't think

that should stop you from having the ACL surgery.

Good luck!

Karon

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

 

I injured my knee playing soccer at the age of 14, due to the knee cap slipping

out of place.  I wore a brace for a month, but the knee continued to give out,

so I had a major reconstruction of the knee with a long 10 inch scar, from which

I recovered fully after a few months.

 

However, the cartilige was damaged pretty bad and it started to deteriorate,

causing pain over the years.  I had a second surgery about 10 years later to

clean things up in there.  It was just a small arthroscopic procedure, but I

never fully recovered the calf & quad muscles afterwards.  I ended up losing

half the muscle strength in that leg.

 

In my personal experience, I recovered much better from surgery when I was

younger. 

 

If it looks like you are going to need it at some point, I would say...the

earlier the better.  Also, keep up with the PT afterwards, it's really important

to retain your muscle strength.

 

[Guest guest]

, Seems knee issues like you've described happen all the time to

people, with or without CMT. Having CMT though, your nerves are what you

care about. My question would be how advanced is your nerve degeneration?

Anesthesiologists like to prevent pain and do nerve blocks to make you

comfortable during and after surgery. At age 50, with fairly advanced

neuropathy, I had a nerve block at my knee for a foot surgery. The nerves in

that leg never returned and remain numb. I've had subsequent surgeries on

both feet, each time refusing the nerve block at the knee. It makes things a

little more painful the first few hours after surgery, but no long term

negative result.

I would investigate where numbing would take place. Best of luck. O

Torn ACL - seeking advice

Hi all,

I'm not a big poster on this group but I had a question and hoped some of

you could maybe help me shed some light on the situation. I tried searching

through archives but couldn't finding specific inputs on surgery, mostly

just mentions of knee surgery here and there. Any information, related

stories or advice would be well appreciated.

So last October 2009 I tore my ACL going down a wet staircase at my dorm at

school. Basically all my weight shifted forward with my knee and my foot

stuck behind me. It was pretty bad. Anyway, after that I got it checked out

and started physical therapy there until winter break in December. I haven't

kept up with the PT sessions this semester for the past few months, but

still have exercised and worked my legs a good amount at the gym. I got a

knee brace which I wore a lot after the tear, but since January I haven't

worn it as much as I can get by without it more.

So since the tear in October the knee has given out about 4 or so times.

Once just randomly a couple weeks after the accident, Another time while

jumping down over some stairs, once just playing some basketball by myself,

and once it gave out badly while playing football.

The orthopedic doctor by my school recommended surgery, as well as the one

here in Boston (at MGH) and a Sports therapy doctor that works on athletes.

The question is, should I go through ACL reconstructive surgery to repair

the knee. I can get by now without it; however, for the past year PT for CMT

has really improved my activity level and now I can almost be as athletic as

a lot of the other kids (improved foot drop, strengthened legs and calves,

increased stability & balance, less falls). So now I'm closer to almost

being able to fully play some sports and run somewhat, though I cant really

get to into it without my knee failing on me. It used to be the same with my

ankles, though it seems I'm finally past that.

So if any of you know a similar situation to mine, or know anything about

the importance of the knee FOR CMTers, that would really help. I'm 19. They

say at my age with my activity level surgery is a no brainer, but the CMT

changes things. Also I'm not sure how the knee is needed for those of us

with foot drop and decreased sensation. I'm also going to try and contact

Shy for any CMT-related input.

Any advice about the ACL subject I'd appreciate

Thank you,