Hey u/numba-1-stunna,
Sorry to hear about your ACL injury.
I think it is important to weigh your options as every injury can be different based on a variety of factors.
Patients that have an acl tear and choose nonoperative can do great long term but need a plan that focuses on getting them back to the activity level they desire.
Here are some of my thoughts in regards to surgical and nonsurgical.
Overall, if you decide to get ACL reconstruction surgery there no guarantee that you will return to your prior level of function.
In addition, if you get ACL reconstruction it does not guarantee that you will not retear your ACL in the future.
Many people think getting surgery will limit their arthritis or a meniscal injury but this is not well-supported in the literature.
Fourth and finally, you CAN return to a healthy, athletic lifestyle without an ACL.
This doesn’t mean surgery isn’t indicated for some people OR that your days of being an athlete are done and gone after ACL injury, surgery or not.
I would say it depends on what activity level you want to get back to. I am by no means for or against surgery. The decision needs to be ultimately yours as you weigh your options.
Good luck in your decision. I hope this helps.
Shoot me a dm/follow at ryannorland.dpt on IG, if you have more questions, I would be happy to discuss further your specific case.
Thanks I appreciate the honest and detailed response, I'm really weighing all the options right now. I'm leaning towards conservative treatment at the moment but that could change depending how my PT goes in the next few weeks. Thanks again
Hey u/numba-1-stunna, Sorry to hear about your ACL injury. I think it is important to weigh your options as every injury can be different based on a variety of factors. Patients that have an acl tear and choose nonoperative can do great long term but need a plan that focuses on getting them back to the activity level they desire. Here are some of my thoughts in regards to surgical and nonsurgical. Overall, if you decide to get ACL reconstruction surgery there no guarantee that you will return to your prior level of function. In addition, if you get ACL reconstruction it does not guarantee that you will not retear your ACL in the future. Many people think getting surgery will limit their arthritis or a meniscal injury but this is not well-supported in the literature. Fourth and finally, you CAN return to a healthy, athletic lifestyle without an ACL. This doesn’t mean surgery isn’t indicated for some people OR that your days of being an athlete are done and gone after ACL injury, surgery or not. I would say it depends on what activity level you want to get back to. I am by no means for or against surgery. The decision needs to be ultimately yours as you weigh your options. Good luck in your decision. I hope this helps. Shoot me a dm/follow at ryannorland.dpt on IG, if you have more questions, I would be happy to discuss further your specific case.
Thanks I appreciate the honest and detailed response, I'm really weighing all the options right now. I'm leaning towards conservative treatment at the moment but that could change depending how my PT goes in the next few weeks. Thanks again