hi david,

 

i had a complete/or high grade tear of my acl on feb 22  ( i can actually give you the time as well, funny how we remember these life changing incidents!)

 

i started pt on feb 25 with no prospects of surgery as they told me that i can live a full normal life without surgery and just pt.  pt was twice a week but i did the exercises daily at home and pretty much had full range of motion by the end of the week (much instability though).  i did not have ANY pain throughout this ordeal, only stiffness initially from the swelling and of course the instability.  the reason they gave me for no surgery was #1 because i am not an athlete ( just an unlucky snow shoveler) and because they said i'm too old (go figure, i'm only 50).

 

the reason they need you to do pt is to strengthen your muscles- mine pretty much went on strike after the 3 days of immobility i had before being able to see a dr.  after surgery ( from what i've researched on it) you will be in a locked leg brace for about 5-7 days so the graph can heal.  i imagine with that you will get more muscle atrophy so they want your hamstrings, quads etc in top form ( and with pt, they will be!)

 

so continue your pt at home daily.  most important is stretching those hamstrings!

 

good luck with your surgery!

 

randi