ACL reconstructed today!

[Branden]

Today was my ACL surgery. everyone may not know, but I tore my ACL in June inline skating with Dave Bloom, Kirk Thompson, C-Smitty and Paul Orr. I then went active duty for 2 month for the Air Force witha turn ACL which was annoying to say the least.

Today I had surgery using my patellar as a donor. Luckily I have amazing insurance, so I had a custom made brace by Breg made for me. A guy came to my house measured my leg like a hundred times then sent out the measurements to a place to construct it. Then he came back and fit it to me. Also my insurance provided me with a CPM machine for rehab. (video link included).

My doctors were amazing, they did my metal plate in the leg, and pins in the elbow surgeries. They are the doctors for the New York Knicks, and New York Rangers.

4 hours after surgery I have 0-40 degree movement. and am doing great.


I was told I should be back in april for a day or two of groomers. I do plan on making it out to some junk show meets to film/take pictures if my knee is feeling up for it. If there is another US Open I will be there judging and partying for sure!

I wish everyone a killer season and I hope to see you all soon.

-B

[slow]

Sorry to hear of your injury, but it is good that you have a positive outlook with the whole situation. I wish you a speedy recovery!

[vener3]

Glad to hear your surgery went well. Just important to keep positive(which it seems like you're doing) and to keep up with your rehab and PT program. I also just went under the knife a few months back. I broke my spine in 4 places and need one of my vertebrae to be put back together with screws. I recently got clearance and started going to PT. One of my problems at PT is my doc says I push myself a lil too hard, which you may want to watch out for doing too. Like you I'm hoping to get in a late spring run. Hope your healing goes well.

[slow]

...............I broke my spine in 4 places and need one of my vertebrae to be put back together with screws. ..............

Yikes! Sounds like you are lucky. Good luck with your rehab vener3.

[valmorel]

Although I am anti the no insurance no help culture, I sure can see how it works when things are right. I tore my ACL in a motorcycle accident years ago, and our (UK) National Health System basically just said 'get used to it'. I now carry it as a lifelong injury which flares up every so often leaving me unable to walk without pain. I have to sleep with a knee support and spend at least two hours a week working on keeping all the leg muscles strong to support the knee. God knows how it will be when I am old(er).

[mctwist311]

gotta have the gimpy judge lol

[mahatma]

Branden and vener3,

First, very glad to hear that both of you seem to be recovering well from what sound like pretty serious injuries. Be easy bro's. You both have a lot of life to go and take it from someone who has spent his life beating up his body - it's not age that gets you. It's on-board damage. And yes, it DOES matter. Aches and pains become restricting and debilitating factors as you progress through life. It's difficult to explain to the young and comparatively "bullet proof" of that repairs are just that - repairs. You guys are going to be great. Do what the doctors tell you. They say go easy then go easy. They say push like hell then push like hell. Again, very glad to hear that both of you seem to have had good teams put you back together. Live well and play hard.

Valmorel,

Hey, the next time you are over in the US get that thing fixed. Living the rest of your life with a torn ACL is just ludicrous. Will it be free? No, it will not be free. How much is the pain and accompanying restrictions on your life costing you? I have every confidence you can be fixed and a plan of recovery can be outlined for you before you go home. Once back in the UK I suspect you can make appointments with hospital physical therapy centers and certainly the UK has competent surgeons and doctors that can check your status and make adjustments to your recovery plan if needed. Unnecessary, chronic pain and suffering is no way to live.