Mental journey of ACL surgery and recovery 

Thank you for taking the time to make this video it really helps

Thank you for sharing. I am on week 5 of meniscus root repair. I think being in PT the next day of surgery helped me a lot. My biggest challenge has been the mental side and thank you for addressing it. I do my best to keep my mind busy but it is still hard. I think the first few week or two is important physically but the last two weeks is huge mentally. The lack socializing and being out is one of the most frustrating things. I live on a 3 floor walk up so it is a quite the tasking coming and going from my home.

I had ACL reconstruction with meniscus repair 6w ago. I wasn’t in a whole lot of pain after surgery as long as taking pain meds. I started PT at 2w post-op and it’s been great. It was a little tough but after each visit I feel like I have better range of motion and building strength. I was super nervous as soon as I heard I needed surgery. I started searching for RU-vid videos and everyone’s journey was a little different. After watching so many people say they struggled with pain I got even more nervous going into surgery. Most people would tell me to stop watching these videos since I was psyching myself out. I told them this is how I am mentally preparing. I’m glad I did since my journey so far has been pretty great. On the mental side of this journey , it is tougher than doing the PT. Being home and not being able to do much is a little frustrating. I’m a very active person and don’t do well sitting around not doing anything. Each week gets better. As long as PT is being done and keeping a positive attitude! Thanks for showing us your journey as you were one of the only people who had ACL + meniscus surgery like I did and been following you in your recovery. You look great and keep a positive mindset, you’re almost there! 😊

@megmed2860 hiya 😊 glad you made this video talking about the mental health side of surgery/recovery, will be so beneficial for those who are about to have surgery so they can prepare mentally and to be focused going forwards. I definitely wish I knew what was was coming post surgery. For those who are pre/post surgery watching your recovery journey will be so helpful to them.

I tore my MCL(grade 3) ACL (grade 3) and my meniscus in a car accident about a month and a half ago so thank you so much for sharing your journey it gave me hope on mine. I am 3 weeks post op this coming Friday and it is honestly so frustrating not being able to bend my knee❤

Had surgery 13 days ago. First 7 days I couldn’t do anything and was in so much pain. I had to get fluid drained from my knee because it built up a lot. Then I started PT on day 9. I feel like I’m a bit behind due to the fluid build up and I still can’t straighten my leg. Definitely can get you in a pretty dark place mentally, but I know there’s better days and videos like this help, so thank you.

I am going thru my first week taking it day by day my pain in my knee kicked in after i took off my catheter i really felt the difference of level of pain but after taking my pain meds and also taking them before my pain kicked in i was great . Another thing i really got scared was when it took me 4 days after the surgery to be able to use the bathroom #2 kinda embarrassed but it is something i got to say because some of us felt this way well i did 😂 other than that i still haven't went to rehab yet i go in two days but ive done some movements and exercises just taking this journey day by day. Your videos are really helpful also your Beautiful 😍.

I am 7 weeks post surgery and honestly I've had little to no pain in my knee... but the mental pain has been unbearable at times. I tore it in July during work and had to wait 5 month (reschedule after reschedule) for worker's comp to cover it, and after surgery I thought my mental health would improve because my knee was "fixed" but it got even worse. I can finally walk almost without a crutch and am able to go back to work so I feel slightly better, but this injury stripped me of dance which has been my life for almost my whole life and post surgery I was near isolated for 6 weeks completely unable to do much of anything on my own.... its taken such a toll that I feel like I'm gonna be too careful to not re-injure my knee and struggle to get back to dance 100%

Thank you for making all these videos, really helpful and motivating. I am post 3 months with my ACL and meniscus surgery, I had exactly same incident at a soccer game. I am not being able to able to fully/hyper extend my Knee or make it straight like the other knee. How did it go for you ? I am working out everyday and go for PT every week trying to get full extension but I am really stressed about it. My knee bending is actually really good on the other hand.

Hey Meg! This is so relatable. I just want to emphasize again how grateful I am that you're sharing your journey. (Context - I had a quad graft aclr around the same time as you) Quick question - I'm 3 mos post OP. As you mentioned, "human activities" are pretty normal. However, I'm starting to get some pain at the front of the knee with some of the physio exercises. Wondering if you had a similar experience and did it get better for you?

hello, thanks for the video :) I have my surgery in 4 days and trying to be in a positive mindset, and your words about focusing and the future and not thinking about the past are very helpful. Could you show us how you are walking in some video after your surgery? I am wondering how soon I will be walking without crutches and how it will be.

Yes the mental part is devastating...as a girl I went through severe mood swings during periods in this acl+meniscus repair journey..also along with I have faced severe constipation which is not cured yet...with this things I hv to achieve my full ROM which is itself a big challenge....so yeah it's a very tough journey as well as physically nd mentally also...but at d end we have to be calm for getting good recovery...so hope for d best❤

From my experience almost 3 months out now. But I had zero pain after surgery started therapy the day after. And I was able to go back to my job which is a highway maintenance 2 and a half months still being careful and still can’t really go upstairs still

I am now in 10 weeks. I have sometimes leg cramps. Still walk pretty slow. bending is 120, cant do more. Sometimes feel like, I am imbalace. And always feels, something is holding my knee like a bandage. Do you feel any of that?

Scapholunate ligament tear here. I guess it’s easier since we don’t walk on our hands, but yeah it sucks too. I’m having a surgery in a few weeks and with sl tears and after the surgery, there is no chance for full recovery…and that’s what I guess makes me feel down, knowing that my wrist will be changed forever soon

@megmed2860 forgot to mention about my visit to my surgeon. The bad news is he thinks because both meniscus turned out to be bucket tears he believes I'm currently only a week behind his recovery schedule. Good news is I'm free to push on past 120 degrees but only to pain tolerance. Now started to lift 1.5kg ankle weight from advice from pt. Can definitely see progress being made now. Catch up on your 4 month update, great news that you are now able to get about more freely. Next goal, running and cycling!

Oh man, I wished I saw your vid before my surgery I am 2 weeks after surgery ACL, meniscus and a broken tibia (stress fracture). I underestimated the mental aspect of this. I think it should be something that one is made aware of prior to. Love your videos, it keeps me motivated. I guess you can now run 😊

it’s been a one month and you haven’t upload a new video . I hope you are getting better.

Day4 acl reconstruction 😢 worst feelings and emotional 😭

How to sleep? 😢

When does it start to feel better?

Hello, How I think about it as Karma You know I am sad and angry but that doesn’t help Our karma is realising like this Not sure how many days, but we will get through this

How long were you on crutches?

🤕

What Ifs are irrelevant.

@megmed2860 Hiya Megan, just checking to see how you are getting on with your recovery 😊

@megmed2860 hi Megan, how are things going with you 😊