• Women skiers, this is the place for you -- an online community without the male-orientation you'll find in conventional ski magazines and internet ski forums. At TheSkiDiva.com, you can connect with other women to talk about skiing in a way that you can relate to, about things that you find of interest. Be sure to join our community to participate (women only, please!). Registration is fast and simple. Just be sure to add [email protected] to your address book so your registration activation emails won't be routed as spam. And please give careful consideration to your user name -- it will not be changed once your registration is confirmed.

Recovering from ACL reconstructive surgery

Schussygirl

Diva in Training
Hi Skidivas,

I'm so happy I've found this site!! I'm 51 and have been skiing for 11 years. I fell on the slopes Dec 26th and completely tore my ACL. I had surgery on Jan 16 to reconstruct my ACL using a cadaver donor's Achilles' tendon. This is my first knee injury ever. My husband and I are taking our three teenagers to Heavenly (Tahoe) to ski spring break (first week in April - 11 and 1/2 weeks post op). Has anyone tried to ski again that soon? I would be happy just doing a few green runs with a brace of course. I don't think my doctor would approve, but it's so hard and depressing to think my season is over. Thanks ladies!!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2913.JPG
    IMG_2913.JPG
    698.6 KB · Views: 13

Skier31

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Sorry to hear about your injury. I have not heard of anyone skiing that soon after surgery (not even sure Lindsey Vonn or other pro skiers). Plus, it is April and with freeze/thaw cycles, may be challenging conditions. Set your sights on next year!

I did not ski for a full year after my surgery and felt great when I did.
 

DvR

Certified Ski Diva
I can’t agree more with Skier31. I dislocated my shoulder January of 2019, did not require surgery but had a year of physical therapy and working with a trainer to build up strength before I started skiing again this January. This season is all about building confidence and taking lessons. Worth every missed day of skiing last year.
 
Last edited:

geargrrl

Angel Diva
I had full acl reconstruction in Sept of '17, using hamstring. The best advice I was given was to do rehab exactly the way prescribed. Do not take shortcuts. Do not get lazy. And most importantly, do not do activities until your surgeon releases you. The #1 thing I heard from other ACL patients was "I tried to do X early and my knee has never been the same". I know. It sucks. I *could* have skied late, late spring ( in perfect conditions, on greens) but I thought why risk it? I am way too active to want to permanently f* up my knee. Instead, focus on rehab and getting really, really strong. Look for a PT facility that does "return to sport" PT, not "return to cubicle". I can't understate the importance of this. One of my best friends couldn't hold him self back from getting back on his mountain bike much earlier than recommended and boy, he is paying the price now.

I can't recall if I posted a thread on my rehab. It's fully documented on my Instagram, @geargrrl, starting July 1, 2017

No pity parties allowed. People get hurt, they get through it. Let your support system help you. Find something else to occupy your time: take up knitting, genealogy, reading the classics. Meditate. My hub, who has sustained numerous injuries over the years (dislocated shoulder, separated shoulder, knee surgery, shoulder reconstruction, broken pelvis/collarbone in one fell swoop that required two collarbone surgeries, broken wrist, broken hand and currently a broken leg) allowed me about 10 minutes of crying about it.

Good luck. Ask around for the best PT in your community.
 

geargrrl

Angel Diva
I had full acl reconstruction in Sept of '17, using hamstring. The best advice I was given was to do rehab exactly the way prescribed. Do not take shortcuts. Do not get lazy. And most importantly, do not do activities until your surgeon releases you. The #1 thing I heard from other ACL patients was "I tried to do X early and my knee has never been the same". I know. It sucks. I *could* have skied late, late spring ( in perfect conditions, on greens) but I thought why risk it? I am way too active to want to permanently f* up my knee. Instead, focus on rehab and getting really, really strong. Look for a PT facility that does "return to sport" PT, not "return to cubicle". I can't understate the importance of this. One of my best friends couldn't hold him self back from getting back on his mountain bike much earlier than recommended and boy, he is paying the price now.

I can't recall if I posted a thread on my rehab. It's fully documented on my Instagram, @geargrrl, starting July 1, 2017

No pity parties allowed. People get hurt, they get through it. Let your support system help you. Find something else to occupy your time: take up knitting, genealogy, reading the classics. Meditate. My hub, who has sustained numerous injuries over the years (dislocated shoulder, separated shoulder, knee surgery, shoulder reconstruction, broken pelvis/collarbone in one fell swoop that required two collarbone surgeries, broken wrist, broken hand and currently a broken leg) allowed me about 10 minutes of crying about it.

Good luck. Ask around for the best PT in your community.

Oh - I worked so hard on my rehad I did not need a brace.

https://www.theskidiva.com/forums/i...r-acl-mcl-meniscus-surgery.23936/#post-389547

https://www.theskidiva.com/forums/i...-one-year-post-acl-surgery.23045/#post-370937

https://www.theskidiva.com/forums/index.php?threads/back-on-the-snow.23318/
 

Schussygirl

Diva in Training
Sorry to hear about your injury. I have not heard of anyone skiing that soon after surgery (not even sure Lindsey Vonn or other pro skiers). Plus, it is April and with freeze/thaw cycles, may be challenging conditions. Set your sights on next year!

I did not ski for a full year after my surgery and felt great when I did.
Thank you for your honest reply! My logical brain agrees with you. It's just so disappointing. Sounds like you know exactly how I feel. I appreciate your reply. Happy skiing!!
 

newboots

Angel Diva
It's probably true for any surgery, but ACL - there are so many ways to mess it up!

Anyhow: Thanks for joining! We are so glad to have you here. You'll find we are incredible enablers, for buying new skis, boots, or fashion, but not for cutting your rehab short!

:injured: :welcome: :injured:
 

Ski Sine Fine

Angel Diva
I had left ACL reconstruction back in the 90’s and it was a year before I skied again. Don’t rush it. Funny thing is, my lower left leg muscles are just as strong as the right but they never got back to the same size as before the surgery.
 

Skier31

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Thank you for your honest reply! My logical brain agrees with you. It's just so disappointing. Sounds like you know exactly how I feel. I appreciate your reply. Happy skiing!!

Treat yourself to massage or spa while others are skiing. It is not easy to be around skiing when you can’t but you can do it. The long term health of your knee is worth it!
 

BlueSkies

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Sorry to hear about it. I had the ACL repair with a cadaver achilles tendon in 2012. It was about 11 months from the surgery date before I was back on skis (and it took a while after to get back up to speed). Take your time, do the PT and treat yourself to other pleasures while your family skis.
 

JaneB

PSIA 1 Instructor, Killington
I had a complication from the first surgery, had to have a second surgery 9 months later, and wasn’t back on skis for three years.
ACL replacement is a major surgery. Soft tissues take a long time to heal. Hang in there.
 

Peaheartsmama

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I’ve had ACL surgery on both knees successive years. Each time i did almost 9 months of PT before getting back on skis. I don’t even think they issued/ cleared me for a brace till about 4-5 months after the the surgery. Definitely give yourself time to heal. So much out of control on the hill, you don’t want to risk hurting it again while it heals. Definitely follow your PT plan and start ASAP. I think I was in PT three days after surgery. I ski with both braces now and so far everything is ok. (Knock on wood!) good luck on your recovery!
 

Peaheartsmama

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Tell your PT that you want to ski again and they may give you drills to focus on that sort of movement and strengthening those muscles
 

Freetoski

Diva in Training
Hi Skidivas,

I'm so happy I've found this site!! I'm 51 and have been skiing for 11 years. I fell on the slopes Dec 26th and completely tore my ACL. I had surgery on Jan 16 to reconstruct my ACL using a cadaver donor's Achilles' tendon. This is my first knee injury ever. My husband and I are taking our three teenagers to Heavenly (Tahoe) to ski spring break (first week in April - 11 and 1/2 weeks post op). Has anyone tried to ski again that soon? I would be happy just doing a few green runs with a brace of course. I don't think my doctor would approve, but it's so hard and depressing to think my season is over. Thanks ladies!!
Just found this thread! I hope you’re healing well! I fell on Dec 27th this year and did complete MCL and partial ACL. Its great you’re already on the mend. I had 6 weeks in brace non weight bearing to heal MCL. now looking at ACL surgery or just leaving it. it did stink this year watching my husband ski with my twin boys. But I think totally treat yourself while on vacation!!
 

Ddharma

Diva in Training
Welcome to your strengthening season. Take the time to rehab. Seek out PTs who ski or coaches If you live near a program like that.

You could have a coaching session or two while you are here In South Lake. The conditions we’ve been having and may likely have again are variably sugary and sticky, not super great anyway.

Try to stay present. Celebrate your victories. This time will be different for you whatever you choose to do.
 

Latest posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
26,237
Messages
497,686
Members
8,503
Latest member
MermaidKelly
Top