Knee surgery, how long till you recovered to do games?

[jkumpire]

Got a sore knee late in the Spring, started hurting when I was doing a wrestling tournament in February. Found out I have a torn medial collateral ligament in my knee, but I can't get it scoped until 6/23.

Questions:

1. Anyone on the board ever had it done?
2. How long did it take you to rehab until your were cleared to do games?
3. Were you still rehabbing when you started doing games again?
3. How long after surgery did it take you to trust your knee on a pivot at 1B?

I have cleared six weeks from my schedule, but I sure hope it is sooner than that before I can put the gear on again.

Thanks for your help!

[Brett]

It will depend on how much work you put into rehab.

I (coincidently during a wrestling meet) shredded a medial meniscus and tore an ACL. At the time my twins were 3 months old, so I didn't have much time for rehab. From the time of surgery, it took me about 6-8 weeks until I was walking normally. I didn't truly test the knee until the next football season roughly 6 months later. I think I'd have been good to go much sooner had I had the ability to work on it.

I think your time line might be ambitious, but I think it may be possible if you put in the work.

[bossman72]

ACL takes roughly 6 months minimum for full recovery for football players to do what they need to do...

...for officials, if you brace it up, you should be ok to go in a few months since you don't have hard reactions and cuts like players do (we do, but not to the same extent nor effort)

[jicecone]

I have had scope work for miniscus tears on each knee. May not be as bad ACL. First one was done in October and I was ready by March almost 6 mos before I felt comfortable with pivots. Of course 25 years of Ice hockey officiating and good rehab helped.

Second scope was in April 17th of this year and I am doing 8 to 10 miles on my bike everyday (outside) now. No limp after three weeks. Dr. said running and pivioting would feel more comfortable in a month or so.

It all depends upon the amount of damage to begin with and your physical shape at the time. I was 54 for the first scope and 59 now so judge accordingly.

[BlueTick48]

I had ACL surgery four seasons ago. Knife in Nov,on the field in late Feb. I was 28 @ the time and rehabbed pretty damn hard.I've blown out both ACLs and surgery or not they'll never be the same.I'm 31 and I couldn't get in a cathers stance(not that'd I need to)to save my life.

[bossman72]

Originally Posted by BlueTick48

I had ACL surgery four seasons ago. Knife in Nov,on the field in late Feb. I was 28 @ the time and rehabbed pretty damn hard.I've blown out both ACLs and surgery or not they'll never be the same.I'm 31 and I couldn't get in a cathers stance(not that'd I need to)to save my life.

Really? I have full range of motion with my ACL knee with no problems. It's not the same as it used to be, but I don't have any limitations with it.

[chartrusepengui]

Last year I had big tear in meniscus and slight medial collateral tear. Surgery to repair both was first week in May. I did my first plate following surgery on June 8th.

I had surgery on a Tuesday and started rehab on the following day. Do your excercises!!! It also helped that my quads were very strong to start with. Hardest part -- STAIRS!

I also did summer basketball.

[heykid41]

I only know cartiledge (boy... do I). So far I've done battles with various orthopaedic surgeons 7 times and lost every one. The last one was a scope to slurp out some floating bits and smooth out what IS in there (not much on the medial aspect of either knee). Had the surgery on a Wednesday - on my bike riding to work on the following Monday. I think I was about 44 at the time (just turned 50 last week). Having said that - there are lots around who whine forever. Very much an individual thing. Knowing what to expect makes it SO much easier. I am thinking you are really not likely to be anywhere near where you want to be when you want to be there. And really - who knows until the thing is done. Surgeon could find it tough (and so will you), or maybe it will be as easy as anyone could see.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery - whatever way it goes!

[jkumpire]

I was rereading my post, and I made a huge error, it is not an MCL, it is a Medial Meniscus tear. So I have no ligament damage just a cartilage to get worked on. Since some of you answered that question as well, my thanks.

Did a base game tonight and was sore in the 1st inning. I had not had a real game in about 3 weeks, so I was hoping for little pain, and a big fix for my umpire addiction.

I hope I can be back w/in 6 weeks, I will rehab my butt off to get it done.

[dacodee]

I had my left knee scoped for cartilage removal/smoothing on February 25, 2008. Physical Therapy started the very next morning. 3x per week for the next 3 weeks. My first game back was on March 14, 2008 (plate). On March 15th, I worked a V/JV doubleheader. I remember feeling great behind the plate. But the bases were another story. I didn't want to interrupt the healing process, so I took it very slow and didn't pivot much, if any.

You'll be fine... But don't push yourself too much. 6 weeks should be plenty of time (depending on your body & the damage).

Best wishes on a successful recovery.