Skiing With a Torn ACL

C

ConnorClayton

Member
If you've ever torn your ACL, or any other ligament in your knee for that matter, then you know how long and grueling the recovery process is. After blowing my knee out for a third time I am trying to pro-long any reconstructive surgery for as long as possible. So once again I'll be skiing this year without an ACL, and I am curious if there is anyone out there in a similar situation/ debating whether or not to ski on a torn ACL. Let me tell you it is possible.

I've been working on creating a website circulating around ACL tears to help anyone who has to endure the injury, and I know I've seen plenty of threads based on the idea of skiing with a torn ACL, so I created an article to hopefully help anyone facing this dilemma! Check it out here:
http://teamnoacl.com/can-you-ski-with-a-torn-acl-the-question-all-skiers-ask

Cheers :)

**This thread was edited on Nov 5th 2017 at 3:10:36pm
 
The more time you spend without getting your knee repaired it becomes less likely that the repair will be successful. I've never blown my knee but I tore my wrist apart two seasons ago. It was just my wrist, so I didn't stop skiing and eventually the pain numbed, so I put off surgery for another season. I went to get a consultation early in the summer and my doctor told me that by waiting this long my ligaments had atrophied and I would never regain full range of motion in my wrist. I would be scared shitless if that happened to my knee. You do you but you should definitely think about a repair sooner rather than later.
 
13852126:-eREKTion- said:
The more time you spend without getting your knee repaired it becomes less likely that the repair will be successful. I've never blown my knee but I tore my wrist apart two seasons ago. It was just my wrist, so I didn't stop skiing and eventually the pain numbed, so I put off surgery for another season. I went to get a consultation early in the summer and my doctor told me that by waiting this long my ligaments had atrophied and I would never regain full range of motion in my wrist. I would be scared shitless if that happened to my knee. You do you but you should definitely think about a repair sooner rather than later.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response man! Totally understand what you're saying as I have heard the same thing, and that does scare me shitless a bit yes, which is why I am not endorsing going out and skiing full strength. But if you want to keep on skiing just to feel the rush and the freedom that the sport encompasses then it is possible even with a torn ACL. Soon as winters over I'll be looking into surgery options as to not injure anything further.

**This post was edited on Nov 5th 2017 at 4:05:54pm
 
topic:ConnorClayton said:
If you've ever torn your ACL, or any other ligament in your knee for that matter, then you know how long and grueling the recovery process is. After blowing my knee out for a third time I am trying to pro-long any reconstructive surgery for as long as possible. So once again I'll be skiing this year without an ACL, and I am curious if there is anyone out there in a similar situation/ debating whether or not to ski on a torn ACL. Let me tell you it is possible.

I've been working on creating a website circulating around ACL tears to help anyone who has to endure the injury, and I know I've seen plenty of threads based on the idea of skiing with a torn ACL, so I created an article to hopefully help anyone facing this dilemma! Check it out here:
http://teamnoacl.com/can-you-ski-with-a-torn-acl-the-question-all-skiers-ask

Cheers :)

**This thread was edited on Nov 5th 2017 at 3:10:36pm
Click to expand...

I have had 3 solid seasons with a torn acl, but I have to be really mindful of falling. Only had one solid spill in that time, and it swelled and kept me out for a month. Doesn't keep me from skiing hard, but has forced me to refrain from doing anything that poses any tangible risk.
 
Bro go get your knee fixed. I know its gonna suck sitting another season out, but you will be happy you did it. Like others have said if you let it go theres a good chance that it may not heal properly without surgery. Your 50 year old self will thank you in the future.
 
13852147:leprechaunsissy said:
I have had 3 solid seasons with a torn acl, but I have to be really mindful of falling. Only had one solid spill in that time, and it swelled and kept me out for a month. Doesn't keep me from skiing hard, but has forced me to refrain from doing anything that poses any tangible risk.
Click to expand...

This. I skied all last season with a torn acl. I wear an asterisk cell brace on it and I can tell you, this brace is the only reason I can still hit jumps and drop cliffs. I don't go skiing without it. I will definitely need surgery at some point. Doctors keep putting it off. Get it sooner than later man. Take it from someone in a 4 year struggle with knees.
 
As someone who has torn their ACL twice in the same knee, I am one away from calling it quits. The first time I tore it, about 3-4 weeks later I couldn't tell I had done anything to my knee and really wanted to ski. I did not. Ended up slipping on some black ice on a sidewalk a week before surgery and that was not good. Don't fuck around man, you can really do some serious damage if the slightest thing goes wrong.
 
This sounds like a bad idea. I realize getting it repaired is a LONG recovery, but you have to consider your life after skiing. If you fuck it up more, what will happen to you. Will you be wheelchair confined when you're old af? Possible. I'd rather be able to walk. 1 year off is nothing compared to the many year you still have left to ski. Really hit on the PT after surgery. Continue to strengthen your muscles in your legs and work on flexibility. Is a knee brace an option that can help?
 
PSA to anybody skiing with a torn acl/fucked up knees.

Get surgery and miss out on a season. Unless skiing is your income, which it’s not for 95% of us. Missing ONE year to get healthy again is worth it. Yeah it will suck but I would much rather give up one season of skiing instead of risking not being able to be active in my 40s because I couldn’t go a season without sliding around and destroyed my knees.

And honestly, skiing injured sucks ass. It’s not fun having to hold back and always be cautious due to the fact that even a small slip up can destroy your knee.

Not a good move.

**This post was edited on Nov 6th 2017 at 3:03:34am
 
Read your website, I feel where you are coming from and respect what you are trying to do. Personally its not something I would consider.

Anyone recall the part in the Shane McConkey movie where they show a clip of Shane's knee without the acl, he can just shift his whole lower leg forward...


After I saw that, there is no way I will ever ski without an acl.
 
13852217:Lemuel said:
As someone who has torn their ACL twice in the same knee, I am one away from calling it quits. The first time I tore it, about 3-4 weeks later I couldn't tell I had done anything to my knee and really wanted to ski. I did not. Ended up slipping on some black ice on a sidewalk a week before surgery and that was not good. Don't fuck around man, you can really do some serious damage if the slightest thing goes wrong.
Click to expand...

Totally feel ya man, I tore my ACL in right right knee for the third time about 3 months ago- also took me a while to notice it. Shit sucks. Only real reason I am skiing this year is due to the fact that I am a coach and I can't quit my job. Been facing some difficult decisions which is why I decided to start writing about it. I pretty much am calling it quits once I get through this year and get surgery again.
 
This makes me so sad to read, I've been enjoying your videos for years now. But I could completely see how tearing the same acl 3 times would kill any remaining motivation. Do what you gotta do and take care of that knee
 
I tore my acl and meniscus back in 2010. I opted for surgery since the meniscus was causing issues with catching and locking my knee months after the swelling had ended. A little under a year post-surgery, I re-tore the acl, but it was a clean tear with no other damage. I did not get surgery this second time and have been skiing without an ACL in my left knee for the past 6 years. Initially, I would get pain and swelling from skiing, but I put a lot of effort into strength training, got super into powerlifting (been training powerlifting ~5 years, competing in powerlifting ~3 years), and now have zero issues with the knee. Never used a knee brace either.

In my experience, you hit the nail on the head in your article that you linked. Strength training to build up support for your knee is key. I think a good, basic strength building program like stronglifts, starting strength, or 531 can go a long way for alleviating knee pain and instability.

Cheers to another great, ACL-free season!
 
55 years old and popped my ACL playing racquetball middle of sept. landing with my knee straight.

2 surgeons have said not advisable at my age but would do the procedure.

i am a gym rat and played competitively i was going to get the surgery this week but both surgeons and the PT have said that if i want to ski i can with a brace and stay away from the bumps. thought one of them said stay out of powder..... That would suck!

they all agreed that put in your training and talk to him in the spring.

so I am working my ASS off doing single leg lunges and all the other stuff they throw at me.

i have been changing my mind every other day and feel that i will do as they say. nervously though but I REFUSE TO GO OUT TO PASTURE!!!!!
 
Tom Wallisch said that it hurts less to land/ski switch without an ACL, so just get really bad ass at ripping switch pow
 
thanks feeling more confident and now when i am putting in the time in the gym i know its for the purpose of a great ski season

cmon snow!
 
I tore my acl and mcl with other bone fractures on november 17th. I know it will be a long time until i will be back on skis but does anyone have any feedback as to the soonest i could be skiing again?
 
13858935:bp-managers said:
I tore my acl and mcl with other bone fractures on november 17th. I know it will be a long time until i will be back on skis but does anyone have any feedback as to the soonest i could be skiing again?
Click to expand...

Shit sorry to hear that. What bones did you break? Assuming leg bones, that could hinder your recovery speed if they interfere with rehab. UPMC says ACL recovery on average of 6 months (range 2-9) post surgery. My guess is probably not til next season. Most people I know who tear an ACL in other sports are out for a while. You might get lucky and put in a ton of work with rehab and end early enough to hit some resorts for late spring skiing, but unfortunately that is probably not likely. Put in some work and make your legs as strong as possible so you can hit next season 100%

Best advice: ask your orthopedic doctor

Good luck dude

**This post was edited on Nov 22nd 2017 at 10:59:06pm
 
I only have some small fractures in my lateral condyle and tibial plateau so just in the knee. I appreciate your response tho thanks for the feedback dawg
 
I ruptured my ACL in May, got it fixed in July and done nothing since but the physio and rehab. I have been signed off to ski (no park) December 1st by my physio and Doctor. I am lucky, i know but it can be done just listen to the advice the professionals give you and follow it to the letter.

Is it the same knee three times dude?!
 
Anyone have experiences with other ligaments? Reinjured my LCL strain that first happened last April, same exact trick to the knuckle yesterday, and like the first time I could still ski well and do tricks with little pain but walking sucks, also hurts from my upper groin area then down across my leg to my LCL which is weird cause LCLs are short ligaments so it's something else too.

Gonna give it a rest while shit weather rolls through and ice a lot, my knee injuries are so fucking annoying this year, gonna make sure I'm good by the end of winter if I don't blow up again, and get fit and strong so this happens less easily next season. Almost wanna remove ligaments if I can, 4 months of rehab vs 6 weeks sounds nice.
 
My last year of college I took winter off to ski. I came back to graduate, and thought I would do one more year, which turned into 4. My last year I knew I was going to leave and go to grad school, I came back with the purpose of skiing one line: The Chimney Sweep at Squaw. My last season I got a bit too brave in early January and tried to hit a line on Granite Peak called Smooth Air. It is a 40 footer and I had not hit anything over 20 yet that year, or anything over 30 ever, so I probably should have worked my way up. I crashed and blew my ACL. Because I knew I was leaving ski bum life I got a brace made and wanted to ski out the rest of the year. I had had a friend who had done the same thing the year before. I could still ski technical stuff, but I was cautious about straightlining and hucking. By the middle of February I knew I did not have the confidence to hit the Chimney, and that I should just get surgery and be done with it. I got the surgery done in early March. I did not really have any problems with skiing without an ACL, I just was scared and held back a bit. By late February I had accepted things. Now I am a 40 day a year weekender, and no I never hit the Chimney, that will always be the one that got away. I must have done the Tube about 40 times practicing for the Chimney, but it was not to be.

I don't know if there is a right or wrong answer, it depends on your future goals, but I would get it fixed at some point. I would get a brace made and be careful. If you intend to stay in the mountains I would say get it done earlier, if it is your last year and you are leaving you might want to get it done at the end of season.
 
It's easy to say "get it repaired" until you're in that position. I am currently undergoing a scare and have an MRI tomorrow for my ACL. Blew it out two seasons ago and recovery was fucking depressing. For someone who loves the outdoors, sitting sideline for 6-9 months just sucks, especially when you know the pain and dedication it takes to get back to where you almost were before the injury. I feel your pain man. I'm not sure what the solution is.
 
13883001:willyg0808 said:
It's easy to say "get it repaired" until you're in that position. I am currently undergoing a scare and have an MRI tomorrow for my ACL. Blew it out two seasons ago and recovery was fucking depressing. For someone who loves the outdoors, sitting sideline for 6-9 months just sucks, especially when you know the pain and dedication it takes to get back to where you almost were before the injury. I feel your pain man. I'm not sure what the solution is.
Click to expand...

I feel ya man. Only solution is honestly get it fixed. I made this post and wrote some stuff on that website when I was pissed off at myself for tearing it again and frankly feeling bad for myself. It's about 4 and a half months since I blew mine for the third time now, and honestly I'm looking forward to getting it repaired again. Sure the recovery fucking sucks, but it's worth it in order to go back to living a normal life with a normal knee. Since I blew my knee again I've played soccer- but all I can do is stand in the net- I've had to turn down playing pick up hockey and basketball games (stuff I love to do) and all I can do on skis right now is grind a few rails and do the odd 2 on or off. So lame. Instead of dwelling on it I joined a crossfit gym and am working hard to get my leg strong again, that way the surgery, and the recovery should (in theory) be a lot easier. Either way, getting it fixed is the only solution- just don't rush back into skiing and tear it again cause you already know it's not worth it.
 
13882551:Titus69 said:
Anyone have experiences with other ligaments? Reinjured my LCL strain that first happened last April, same exact trick to the knuckle yesterday, and like the first time I could still ski well and do tricks with little pain but walking sucks, also hurts from my upper groin area then down across my leg to my LCL which is weird cause LCLs are short ligaments so it's something else too.

Gonna give it a rest while shit weather rolls through and ice a lot, my knee injuries are so fucking annoying this year, gonna make sure I'm good by the end of winter if I don't blow up again, and get fit and strong so this happens less easily next season. Almost wanna remove ligaments if I can, 4 months of rehab vs 6 weeks sounds nice.
Click to expand...

Yeah man, tore my LCL two years ago alongside with my ACL. Honestly I'm not gonna be much help here as somehow the MRI didn't even pick up that I tore my LCL and it wasn't until I actually went under the knife that my surgeon found that my LCL was torn... Either way, I skied on a torn ACL and LCL all year and I mean it worked, but it definitely punched my ticket to getting some early onset arthritis in my knee. It sucks that the only advice I can give you is to get it checked out, get an MRI, see what the damage is, and don't push it. If you have a strained ligament rather than a torn one- which it sounds like it's strained as you wouldnt feel pain if it was fully torn- then stop skiing for a bit and heal it up. As you said it's better to spend 6 weeks healing a strained ligament than going through surgery and spending 6-9 months to rehab a new ligament. Hope that helps and best of luck to ya!
 
13859055:DANNY.H said:
I ruptured my ACL in May, got it fixed in July and done nothing since but the physio and rehab. I have been signed off to ski (no park) December 1st by my physio and Doctor. I am lucky, i know but it can be done just listen to the advice the professionals give you and follow it to the letter.

Is it the same knee three times dude?!
Click to expand...

Haha yeah man same knee 3 times- just unlucky, or doing something wrong I guess. Gonna be taking a lot of time off after this next surgery. Hope you've been able to get back on the sticks by this time and are enjoying your season with a healthy knee!
 
13883089:ConnorClayton said:
Yeah man, tore my LCL two years ago alongside with my ACL. Honestly I'm not gonna be much help here as somehow the MRI didn't even pick up that I tore my LCL and it wasn't until I actually went under the knife that my surgeon found that my LCL was torn... Either way, I skied on a torn ACL and LCL all year and I mean it worked, but it definitely punched my ticket to getting some early onset arthritis in my knee. It sucks that the only advice I can give you is to get it checked out, get an MRI, see what the damage is, and don't push it. If you have a strained ligament rather than a torn one- which it sounds like it's strained as you wouldnt feel pain if it was fully torn- then stop skiing for a bit and heal it up. As you said it's better to spend 6 weeks healing a strained ligament than going through surgery and spending 6-9 months to rehab a new ligament. Hope that helps and best of luck to ya!
Click to expand...

Yeah it's weird, there's still pain constantly and with certain sudden movements triggers hard pain that's leading me towards a partial tear. No visible swelling like all my past knee issues so idk if that means to try an MRI or not. everything's frozen in New England so just chilling on it and maybe workout my upper body for once, and brace it up when I do ski again.
 
Professional athletes in the NFL and NBA, basically superhumans in peak physical condition that are worth tens of millions of dollars to the teams they represent usually get ACL surgery within the week after injury, sometimes literally the next day. I WONDER WHY???? If it's how they do it with that much money on the line, then it's how you should do it too.

I have torn my ACL, I am speaking from experience. It is stupid and irresponsible in regards to your long term health to ski without a major ligament in your knee. There's SO much more damage to be done. Tibial plateau bruising/stress fractures, additional ligament damage, arthritis, etc. Furthermore, it's pretty irresponsible to try to influence others to do the same/make them feel like doing this is okay. IT'S NOT. No matter how bad it sucks, no matter how bad you want to ski, you need to get surgery ASAP. No debate. This riles me up, clearly.

/end rant
 
13883268:VISHNU said:
Professional athletes in the NFL and NBA, basically superhumans in peak physical condition that are worth tens of millions of dollars to the teams they represent usually get ACL surgery within the week after injury, sometimes literally the next day. I WONDER WHY???? If it's how they do it with that much money on the line, then it's how you should do it too.

I have torn my ACL, I am speaking from experience. It is stupid and irresponsible in regards to your long term health to ski without a major ligament in your knee. There's SO much more damage to be done. Tibial plateau bruising/stress fractures, additional ligament damage, arthritis, etc. Furthermore, it's pretty irresponsible to try to influence others to do the same/make them feel like doing this is okay. IT'S NOT. No matter how bad it sucks, no matter how bad you want to ski, you need to get surgery ASAP. No debate. This riles me up, clearly.

/end rant
Click to expand...

As someone who watches and is inspired by Vishnu riders and content, how in the world do you nose butter after an ACL injury. Real ass question. I want to butter around on my skis but feel like its the most likely way to reinjure myself. I just wanna be vishnu
 
13858935:bp-managers said:
I tore my acl and mcl with other bone fractures on november 17th. I know it will be a long time until i will be back on skis but does anyone have any feedback as to the soonest i could be skiing again?
Click to expand...

Listen to your doctor, please.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top