ACL reconstruction after ACL tear while playing overhead smash.

Discussion in 'Injuries' started by agdwh, Jan 20, 2014.

  1. agdwh

    agdwh Regular Member

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    Hi,
    Around 4 years back, I had a serious knee injury while playing overhead shot.As soon as I landed on left leg , there was cracking noise from knee and I fell the worst pain of my life.Finally ended up in Knee ACL surgery and it took 1 year for me to do slow jogging.

    I want to start playing badminton again but scared like that it may not repeat.
    I have bought a high end knee braces with vertical plates and hinge

    http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71nrsHRez5L._SL1500_.jpg

    Please guide if I can be sure that this knee brace will protect my knee if I again play overhead shot and enjoy the game without tension.
    Arvind
     
  2. Cheung

    Cheung Moderator

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    Did you suffer complications from the surgery? Slow jogging after a year is pretty prolonged. Professional footballers are ready in 6 months.

    As for whether the brace will prevent a re-rupture, there are no guarantees. An ACL may rupture in a normal knee and ACL reconstructions can rupture as well.

    But, many, many people with ACL reconstruction go back to an active lifestyle. So it goes back to the question, were there any problems with the surgery or the progress after surgery?

    I know one Forum member, after having ACL reconstruction, is doing even more exercise than before! Badminton and triathlon.
     
  3. mindfields

    mindfields Regular Member

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    There's nothing in life that is sure but you can get an idea or what to expect from other's experiences.
    I ruptured my ACL about 15 years ago and have NOT had the surgery to correct it yet (I'll probably opt for it at some point soon now that it's keyhole and the recovery time is much shorter)
    It took me about a year of Physio to strengthen the muscles around my knee and I use the same type of knee brace that your suggesting & I haven't had any issues playing competitively.

    If you've had the surgery then you shouldn't really need the brace but with it on I doubt you'll have many problems.

    Caveat: That's just based on my experience & my circumstances may be different from yours.
     
  4. colekwok

    colekwok Regular Member

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    I waited exactly 1yr for my key hole surgery due to loads of bulls from the useless GPs. And I wore various knee brace (not really suggested by my surgeon and my physiotherapists) for another year when I got back to badminton. I have one which has got heavy duty metal rods and hinges, then another one with bendy plastic inserts on the side, and finally one which is just simple a neoprene support. The metal one does help as it really limits your knee movement from side to side, the others are just giving me a peace of mind I guess. I do not play competitions these days and I am will not force a jump smash while I am moving backward like when I was younger. Plus I go to the gym every week to strengthen my once injured leg, I guess that is the most important thing after all.

    I am quite curious mindfield, you knee does not feel lose when doing sports or going down the stairs? I know that the old way of ACL resconstruction needed a 6 inch excision, but these day keyhole is just simple. (Well, Theo Walcott has just done it last week). My experience was, with the very lose knee, I just could not even run fast, or go on hiking, especially when going down hill. That was why I went for the operation.
     
  5. agdwh

    agdwh Regular Member

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    No Complications. I was responsible for slow progress because of my hectic job schedule
     
  6. agdwh

    agdwh Regular Member

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    Hi,
    I run on treadmill at a speed of 9 mph without any brace. I use brace only when I play badminton.
     
  7. Cheung

    Cheung Moderator

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    I think the most impressive example of somebody functioning with a torn ACL is a Brazilian ju-jitsu master. Still actively teaching (related to the Gracie brothers no less!). He told me he refused ACL recontruction surgery because the knee doesn't feel loose. Mind you, his leg had muscles twice the size of mine.

    There are quite a few people in the community with ACL tears but not having repairs. Less so if the person would like to enjoy a physical lifestyle - those persons tend to go for reconstruction.
     
  8. Renmazuo27

    Renmazuo27 Regular Member

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    I am 1 year post ACL reconstructive surgery and am pretty much able to everything i did before the rupture. I play badminton with a neoprene knee brace but have been able to play touch rugby without a brace, can run, sprint and jump as normal. The only thing I'm not able to do, or can do but it some pain is kneel.

    I think it depends on the rehab you put yourself through post surgery. I avoided a lot of dynamic movements for 4-5 months post surgery but did a lot of strengthening and cycle work. I ruptured mine going for an ambitious and overly extended backhand.
     
  9. mindfields

    mindfields Regular Member

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    I always wear a knee brace when playing sports and haven't had a problem. As long as I keep my leg muscles strong then everything's ok.
    I've been trekking/orienteering over a few days and been fine for the first few days but when my muscles get tired they are no longer able to support my knee even with my brace and then it starts to hurt. Yep, Uphill is fine but downhill is horrible as the impact goes straight through the knee.
    I know at some point I need the surgery as when I get older I will lose muscle mass so need to judge when I do it.
     
  10. agdwh

    agdwh Regular Member

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    Will it be better if I avoid overhead shots and improve my backhand. It was while playing overhead when I broke the ligament at the time of landing on left leg.
     
  11. colekwok

    colekwok Regular Member

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    Well, if so happen you are living in South London, I recommend this place for serious knee operations. http://www.nhs.uk/Services/clinics/Overview/DefaultView.aspx?id=1623

    The surgeons and the services are excellent. I believe some surgeons also routinely operates for injured professional football players as well.
     
  12. mindfields

    mindfields Regular Member

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    Cheers, but I have my own contacts in the medical world.
    My Mum was a nurse at the Cromwell and worked with Henry V Crock who trained/mentored quite a few of the top current orthapedic specialists. They'll often make time/schedule an extra appointment if she pulls a few strings.

    Extremely useful as I've managed to fast track quite a few friends to surgeons & Ophthalmologist's with badminton injuries. . .:(
     
  13. mindfields

    mindfields Regular Member

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    Again I'd hesitate on giving/taking advice from a forum over a professionals opinion though I doubt a doctor would be able to give a medical opinion on what kind of badminton shots to play. . .
    For what it's worth though I would get a qualified coach to review your footwork to make sure your not doing anything dangerous. Proper footwork dogma has evolved over time based on effectivenes, speed and safety.
     
  14. visor

    visor Regular Member

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    For sure yes, this is how I injured mine too and I've now adapted by improving my backhand over the yrs... plus me pushing age 50 may be a factor too in avoiding the extreme overhead forehand shots.
     
  15. fookimean

    fookimean Regular Member

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    Yup me too. ACL popped when executing an overhead shot. Looks like many got injured this way....
     
  16. fookimean

    fookimean Regular Member

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    Am curious, most ACL injury here are caused by overhead shot. Anyone else tore their ACL in other manner? Trying to know the mechanism that causes it. Tx
     
  17. colekwok

    colekwok Regular Member

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    Agree, especially when moving a bit sideway or backward, and not angling out your landing foot to counter balance the weight.
     
  18. fookimean

    fookimean Regular Member

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    I am six weeks post ACL op now. Doing rehab like twice a week now. Just wanna ask, how long did you guys do the rehab before gaining confidence to play again?

    And is rehab alone enough? Do I need any gym work?
     
  19. Renmazuo27

    Renmazuo27 Regular Member

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    I started playing, albeit very very VERY lightly after about 3 months. I was doing weekly sessions with the physio, plenty of strengthening work and lots of bike riding (on an exercise bike) on a daily basis before my physio cleared me for light hit ups.

    Really it comes down to what your physio says and how your knee reacts to post surgery rehab and exercise.
     
  20. fookimean

    fookimean Regular Member

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    I guess you had daily access to yr physio sessions?
    I wonder if just doing twice a week is enough coz going more often would really kill my pocket!!
     

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