I searched for this but couldnt find any info. I am 5 weeks past ACL reconstruction with a hamstring graft. Things are going great, I am way ahead in terms of ROM and stregnth. My PT, who is excellent, has me swimming with a pull buey so I dont kick as to not stress the repair. Does anyone have any info on when I can start to kick? I am trying to error on the side of caution which is way against my nature lol. Also, how long did you wait before riding outside as opposed to a trainer?
My last ACL surgery was 15 or so years ago. I’ve never liked swimming with a buoy, so I swam with custom ACL brace (plastic, neoprene, and some metal) my orthopod prescribed. I was definitely swimming and kicking gently 5 weeks post op.
ask your PT about this, but how 'bout fly kick? More hip action than leg action there… that would probably be much more gentle then, say, breaststroke kick.
Try asking your OS…he’ll be able to tell you. I had mine done in Feb 05 and they say the most critical time for the recon is in the 6 to 8 weeks after . After the 9th week i wouldn’t be to worried…but if there’s no rush to swim why push it…take it easy on the knee and it will be good!!!
I had surgery on September 15; so, I just passed the 6-month point.
I know that I was swimming by december sometime, but certainly not at 5 weeks. I think I started biking outside at around the same time… but since I’m in philly, the time I had to ride on a trainer coincided fairly well w/the bad weather. riding outside is risky - you really don’t want to fall at this point.
good work keeping up with the rehab, and having the mental strength to err on the side of caution. that’s hard. if you have an excellent PT, trust them. oh, and as you move toward outdoor running, make sure you work a lot on your proprioception. that’s really key.
i can also tell you that at 6 months out, the biggest issue for me isn’t my knee; it’s the time off i had to take and the slow ramping back up… i just ran 5 miles this morning, as far as I’ve gone since I tore it in the first place. and my legs still don’t fully match, but they’re close.
Talk to your ortho directly. “exercise on a bike is like an exercise bike” is probably an easier sell than kicking is. I know my knee hurt for months (even years) when kicking stuff. The hamstring graft should help you there, as mine was patellar.
Your ortho should be the first and last word on increased activity. It’s a structural thing, and I’d bet you aren’t ready for kicks yet. It just takes time to heal.