Athlete's Guide to Preparing for ACL Surgery: Tips & Advice

[@teodescartes1771]

I will soon have to go through ACL reconstruction. Haven’t been able to walk for 2 months due to a sport injury and, due to the awful health system in my country, just last week I was able to get an MRI and confirm ACL tear. Thanks for all these great suggestions.

[@teodescartes1771]

Actually, I just saw your injury happened playing volleyball. Mine too 🤕

[@EveryoneIsAmelak]

Great follow up video! I’m having my (second) ACL repair 1/17. Having a support structure is definitely important. I’ve starting prepping my wife and kids about what to expect, my employer too…thanks again!

[@VictoriaDorsano]

Thank you! Oh wow!! Good luck with the repair! Wishing you a smooth recovery process! Gotta keep your support system in the loop🙌🏽

[@mariaelenacastroleo6756]

LEO Y Yazmin.❤❤

[@sweety17152]

Today am going for ACL surgery in just few hours.. feeling very low..but you recover of journey is making me feel better

[@VictoriaDorsano]

So glad to hear that! Before you know it, surgery will be over and you’ll officially be on track for recovery too ❤️

[@sweety17152]

@@VictoriaDorsano tq for replying after surgery i will share my experience

[@mosdiy8096]

@@sweety17152how was your recovery?

[@lourdeschapa9389]

Thx for this. U r so right, this is very informative wish I knew prior to my surgery, good information

[@VictoriaDorsano]

Happy to have provided some good info ☺️

[@lynylcullen8370]

Thank you so much!! Exactly what I needed to feel better prepared for my ACL surgery! Love all your videos!

[@nicolewilson5645]

Thank you so much for the video! Definitely helps and now I feel more prepared 😊

[@tanimapoddar2295]

Can you please make a video of all the exercises you did before surgery please.

[@darleneaguilar581]

Thank you for sharing your story. I hope to turn my pain for my recovery and stay focused on my recovery 💯 I was playing soccer heard the pop yep. Apron yes omg or fanny pack yes, wedge pillow thank u

[@crystalrose7704]

Thank you dear for sharing this

[@eugeniaborel9132]

Thank you for sharing this 🙏🫶🏻

[@trezsolo05]

I just had mine this morning 😎😎😎 finally 👍

[@VictoriaDorsano]

Ayyyy congrats!!! 🙌🏽

[@joannaking1775]

Thanks so much Victoria for your video, I found it extremely useful all the things to consider before surgery which I am having in a couple of weeks. 🤗🤗

[@VictoriaDorsano]

So happy to hear that 🥰

[@MridulRaj-y9p]

I am gonna have surgery done in 30 days I am feeling nervous, I was really not doing prehab exercises I will do it now. I am a little bit excited for the surgery

[@neil338]

This is a really helpful video, thank you Victoria

[@VictoriaDorsano]

You’re welcome!

[@kathleenbatey3207]

hi victoria thankyou for your videos, did you just have an acl tear if you don’t mind me asking or did you have to get other structures repaired? kind regards

[@EVroller]

Thanks for this video i have acl and meniscus surgery about a month from now. Im going see if my insurance will pay for some of those items. :)

[@sabinemariahortl4826]

Thank you so much for this Video. Do you have some advice for time after surgery to go without crutches ? I am afraid of going outside without them

[@VictoriaDorsano]

You're welcome! I think crutches are such a personal thing. If you don't feel safe walking outside without them yet, maybe keep them both with you for another few days or a week. Then graduate to just using one crutch outside for support. Then over time, no crutches. It takes time to build the strength back and confidence, but always check with your surgeon/physiotherapist too on what they think!

[@Bhole.baba.ki.dya.t]

Happy to see you . completely fit ..❤.. can u please explain which surgery you go through ..it is screw or fibre tape internal brace ?

[@VictoriaDorsano]

They used an absorbable screw

[@raquelpastilha4402]

Hi, thanks for the helpful video. How long do you wait before have surgery? What range of movement do you need to achieve before surgery? Thanks

[@VictoriaDorsano]

I waited 3 months. It’s great to try to get most of your ROM back before surgery

[@flyinggmango]

Love your video! How were you able to do prehab before your surgery? It's been 1 week since my ACL has completely torn, and I can't straighten or bend my leg at all :(

[@VictoriaDorsano]

I actually had my knee aspirated (drained) to get the swelling down so I could move it sooner! Check with your doc to see if they'd be open to doing that :)

[@tapangaholmes582]

im haveing acl surgery on the 18th of this month and i am so scared for it

[@darleneaguilar581]

Thank u omg yes I'm an athlete feel back up 😂ate that feeling I had to take laxative mann

[@staceyandtimbatchelor3707]

What graft did you use ? Autograph or allograft

[@VictoriaDorsano]

Autograft. Patellar Tendon.

[@staceyandtimbatchelor3707]

@@VictoriaDorsano Thank you for responding back !! I was sorta wondering why My Orthopedic recommended the allograft . I've heard the autograft is stronger and I liked the idea of my own graft better than a donor .. I do believe I actually tore my patellar tendon when I injured my knee.. So that may be why he recommended the allograft.I had my Acl surgery this past Thursday and I think Im doing better than I Initially thought.. I can walk with crutches pretty well.. I did alot of praying and worrying 🤦‍♀️ and I'm hoping God is ok with me taking a allograft . Thank you for your videos watching them before surgery helped my anxiety alot!! Thank u

[@VictoriaDorsano]

You’re very welcome!! Wishing you a smooth healing journey ❤️

[@staceyandtimbatchelor3707]

@@VictoriaDorsano Thank you!!❤️

[@amandac613]

​@staceyandtimbatchelor3707 wondering how you are doing!? My doctor also recommended allograft and I am going back and forth with it all. I love that you prayed about it, I've been doing the same.

[@NiquesBmoreLyfe]

I had all sports doctors, pts after my ACL surgery

[@Starryruby-j2w]

Hello,I've torn my my acl,I'm 12 years old maybe I'm going to surgery because the doctor said I'll have surgery if the MRI results are out,i just feel it torn. Questions: 1.Does it pains while having surgery? 2.do we have sleeping anesthesia? Because i hate this so much,it will cost tons of Dollars😢

[@amandac613]

Did you get any pain in the other knee just from walking weird and compensating?

[@VictoriaDorsano]

Mid-stage in recovery, yes!! I made sure to keep focusing on my rehab on BOTH sides and that helped a lot

[@arrakis_rhys5841]

Hii I’m from Cambodia I got an ACL nearly 10 months now I’m not yet to surgery cuz it costs a lot of money. I just know that I got an ACL just a few week ago when I do MRI. Is it risk if I wait until lately this year. Now i feel like I’m lost everything im not a athlete im just playing football normal and I accidentally it 😞😞

[@VictoriaDorsano]

It’s okay to wait! Just focus on getting the leg and knee as strong as possible until you can get surgery 🙌🏽

[@crystalrose7704]

Were you able to walk after you got injured and before surgery? I have knee fracture and complete torn acl. I have now completed 1 month and a half but still I am unable to walk because of the unbearable pain although I took some physo therapy sessions. Please advise

[@VictoriaDorsano]

I wasn't able to walk for a few days after the injury. It was very painful. After about a week, I could walk somewhat okay. My incrediwear knee sleeve really helped with the pain for me. I wore it almost 24/7.

[@crystalrose7704]

@@VictoriaDorsano thank you dear. I will try to use incrediwear. However I think most of the pain is because that my is knee still sollown at the part of the fracture.

[@VictoriaDorsano]

That should help with the swelling too. Make sure you are icing as much as possible and elevating the leg

[@crystalrose7704]

@@VictoriaDorsano really appreciate your response cause I am presently so depressed however you motivate me. Thanks a lot from middle east 💚

[@VictoriaDorsano]

❤️❤️❤️

[@ginalynlariosa6602]

I acutely tore my ACL like a month ago and my surgery is on may or June cuz the doctor says that I can’t make my surgery till my growth tunnel is like closed or good enough for me to make my surgery cuz I am under 18+ I am 16 so the doctor recommended me to do some exercises for my quads but acutely I don’t know any exercises so if someone can tell me some exercises that I can do I would really appreciate that ❤❤

[@VictoriaDorsano]

Go visit Dr Kero's free ACL community. He has lots of recommendations there! tinyurl.com/Dr-Kero-ACL-community

[@wadehamlin]

How long were you non weight bearing and on crutches?

[@VictoriaDorsano]

I was able to weight bear as soon as I could tolerate which for me was a day post-op

[@serg1740]

I’m worried about doing any pre-hab. My surgeon said no lower body exercise before surgery or I could tear other ligaments. Very hard because I love to workout. Did anyone else hear not to do anything before surgery? Even RTL with only body weight was a no.

[@VictoriaDorsano]

I haven't really heard that opinion, but I wonder if there is something about your particular case that made them say that?

[@serg1740]

@@VictoriaDorsano I ended up seeing another orthopedic surgeon who very much disagreed with the first one and wants me to strengthen before surgery now. Going to be using this second one for surgery.

[@VictoriaDorsano]

Glad to hear it. I thought it sounded strange that the first one wanted you to be still prior to surgery. I haven’t heard that recommendation often.

[@serg1740]

@@VictoriaDorsano videos like yours helped me realize it’s good to get multiple opinions! Thanks

[@callmeatomic3634]

Will I ever be able to play high level soccer again I’m 16

[@bootifuldumbo7842]

Yes! My friend tore hers and I just tore mine, getting surgery tmr which is what brought me to this video, but she did a few years ago while in highschool and she was right back healthy and ready to go she now plays in college!! I am scared of same thing but I know my friend did it just work hard in physical therapy and don’t return too early!

[@VictoriaDorsano]

Absolutely possible! Rooting for you :)

[@teodescartes1771]

Can I go to the bathroom during recovery? And I mean can I literally sit on the toilet or do I need to go in one of those portable things while in bed?

[@VictoriaDorsano]

You’ll be totally fine to be able to use the bathroom after surgery!

[@riatorres2383]

Thank you for posting this video. I'm from the Philippines. I had a complete ACL tear. It just happened after I had a bad landing while playing volleyball. I got an MRI and the result was I had multiple tears on my ligaments. The worst thing was I tore my ACL completely. I'm doing a rehab for almost a month now since the accident happened last January 8, 2022. I have a question. Is it okay not to have an surgery even if I have a complete ACL tear since I am not financially stable. I can't afford to have a surgery because it costs a lot of money here in the Philippines. I am so frustrated because I just want to get back on my normal activities where I can walk properly and do some chores. But how I can do that when I can't have a surgery. Please enlighten me. I am so frustrated right now.😭😭😭

[@VictoriaDorsano]

Hi Ria! So sorry I didn't see this comment! It was held in KZbin limbo for a bit. I know we connected already on FB or Insta so let me know if you have any other questions!

[@codice_pin]

This is really helpful My doctor didn’t tell me shit.

[@VictoriaDorsano]

Happy to have helped!

[@juanmoreira8272]

Just picked up th incredisleeve using your code. I'm still skeptical, but I'll take any advantage I can get after my acl meniscus surgery. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@VictoriaDorsano]

Let me know how it feels!

[@alkminipap]

We are only subscribed ibuprofen for the surgery 😅

[@mariaelenacastroleo6756]

LEO Y Yazmin.❤❤

[@crystalrose7704]

Is it ok to start wearing knee sleeve after 3 weeks of the surgery, cause I am worried this could impact my knee cause it press the knee

[@VictoriaDorsano]

That should be totally okay! If it feels too tight though, you may want a slightly larger size just in case.

[@crystalrose7704]

@@VictoriaDorsano thanks alot

[@VAIBHAVSINGHMUSIC]

I have my ACL surgery scheduled next week... I have some doubts, if some one can share experience? 1. Is Prehab usefull in recovery? 2. How do the anasthesia? Spinal? Is it very painful? 3. In case of hamstring tendon, how weak it feels after? Is there any deficiency felt? Do that regrow? Please if I can get some opinions ❤ It will help me reduce my nervousness and make me feel prepared 😢😢😢❤

[@VictoriaDorsano]

1) Prehab is very useful! Get your quad as strong as possible. 2) They usually do a femoral nerve block to numb the leg, and then anesthesia through an IV line. Not painful at all! 3)The hamstring tendon will regrow and get stronger as you rehab after surgery.

[@VAIBHAVSINGHMUSIC]

@@VictoriaDorsano thanks a lot!

[@ashleymcpherson6816]

Im scared of having surgery I never had surgery before

[@VictoriaDorsano]

I hear you. It was my first surgery too. But honestly, surgery was the easiest part! They help make you nice and relaxed, then next thing your waking up and it’s all over!

[@ClariceDominik-i4h]

Lehner Loop

[@crystalrose7704]

I am in my second day after ACL reconstruction surgery. The pain is super specially because of the stitches when I tried to walk with crutches even without putting wight just by standing it hurts badly. Now I am waiting to complete 10 days and then the doctore will remove the stitches.

[@VictoriaDorsano]

Congrats on making it through the first few days!! Keep going! You got this :) Be sure to check out my new ACL course here: www.aclsecrets.com/

[@gregorysytsma2272]

You should make a video about Macros for ppl who don't know about Macros ^^ People out there. Not "me", per se, of course.

[@VictoriaDorsano]

Officially added to the video lineup, my friend!

[@gregorysytsma2272]

Also, a series on favorite pre-work out snacks, or post workout snacks, or meals, or Healthy prepackaged snack options... Good ideas too!

[@VictoriaDorsano]

@@gregorysytsma2272 Okay Idea Master - I see you!!! Keep em coming!

[@Georgi-Slavov]

So how are you doing now?

[@ChaoGautamDihingia]

Watch your video from India and thank you. It would be better to show how you exercise the phase with video support. And you're really beautiful dear.... thank you again.

[@VictoriaDorsano]

You got it! And thank you 🥰