Hey mate, I had an ACL recon, and although wasn't doing any rolling at the time, I did come back to play rugby.
This is just my experience and everyone is different I guess and I'm certainly no expert, but a decent surgeon should have given you a good rehab program. I followed the rehab programme religiously and it was a top notch programme for returning to physical sport. I managed to lie my way into a surgeon in Auckland who repairs the professional union, league, netball etc players in NZ. I remember the first few months well because the rehab was pretty intense - although all self directed and I was very determined to play again. I'm guessing if you're asking after a week, then you are too.
The main things that built strength and got my confidence back early on were slow stationary biking to gain movement (within a week) and once the staples were out, I was walking, and doing light leg extensions, then I was doing light jogging once the walking was ok (all this within about three weeks). I was surprised how quickly I built up to longer runs. And that basic straight line movement was pretty good and although I would get quite tired, I was back to running 5-8km in one session in around 8 weeks or so. Although my fitness before the surgery was very good, running a half marathon at around the 5 month mark after the surgery felt like a huge achievement to me and the all important confidence started to come back.
There were lots of figure 8 movements, regaining movement / knee flexibility and strength stuff as well to rebuild lateral stability which would be critical for rolling (that's my opinion but I'm certainly not an expert). I was back in pre-season training at the 7 month mark and it took a couple of weeks to get confidence in my knee. I was full contact training two months after that, right on the "minimum" 9 month period.
For me, getting trust in my knee again was the critical thing. I can always feel my knee...no pain or anything when I'm not doing anything, but it's "there". It's hard to explain. maybe it's to do with the nerve damage from the patella tendon being removed to make the new ACL? I also have to keep working on the stability stuff. I find if I'm not, cartwheels can get a bit achy and I'm usually a little sore after training. Nothing to write home about, but I am 9-years post surgery so it's a worry for me. In saying that, rubber guard drills don't give me more of a hard time than anything else.
I guess I was ruthless on the rehab and looking after my knee for a year or two, but didn't look after my knee over the last few years. I've just started training a few months ago and I'm nearly 40, I'm realising that wasn't the smartest to ignore my knee.
Sorry for the novel! And best of luck for the rehab.
Cheers
Nick
Reply With Quote
