My ACL Surgery & Recovery Story as a Dancer

[@KayleenBabel]

Hello! I've been meaning to make this video for so long now and it's finally here 😅 I hope it's helpful! Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:37 How I tore my ACL 01:21 Pre-surgery physical therapy 02:00 Muscle loss 03:00 How I chose my surgery type (hamstring graft) 03:48 Complications from surgery 06:05 Post-surgery 06:35 My biggest regret 07:44 Physical therapy advice 09:20 Post-surgery timeline 10:13 Exercises that helped the most 11:26 Returning to dance/sports

[@vassos7058]

Thank you for the video. I am a dancer and rythmic gymnasts and I just tore my meniscus and ACL during a dance class two weeks ago. At first I thought it was just another injury because I usually injure myself around the same time of year on the same leg. A month goes by with me just taking it easy and then I felt like my leg was strong enough to start doing bar class again. Well,we ended up that day not doing bar class and getting right to the routine, and of course I wasn't going to go full out because I wasn't warmed up yet. Like up to half way during the routine I was doing great with my movements and all of a sudden I went down and I couldn't straighten or bend my knee at all. And then I noticed something was seriously wrong. When I was icing my knee I noticed that it was looser and I had stabbing pains from one side of the knee to the other side of the knee. I right then and there knew I was done for the rest of the year for dancing and had a lot of guilt and grief that my injury had now caused a lot of problems for my teachers,my dance mates, my students (I'm a rythmic gymnastics teacher as well) and for my parents who would and are paying thousands of dollars for my recovery and yes, surgery. I was absolutely terrified as a fact that I would need surgery and that it could effect my ability to do the movements I used to be able to do like being able to bend my knee at a certain point or walk a certain way or even doing splits. Hearing you as a dancer speaking about your experience of the same kind of injury and what the doctors said and how you went through this and the recovering process, has given me more comfort and hope that it will be okay in the end. My surgery is in two days and I am still having anxiety about it. Thank you for your experience sharing on this particular topic. Again, it really brought me a lot of comfort and reinsurance that everything will be okay in the end .💃 Thank you ❤

[@Sezon-xn9lp]

Hi I hope you are better now and had a healthy recovery. How are you? I am at 8th day post op. bone-patella-tendon-bone graft ACL reconstruction with various meniscus repair. I am doing my best I can at the moment with the exercises and trying to loose the swelling. My range of motion is not good, about 35degree passive bend. knee extension is good passively but muscles are week and not really firing 😔 any advice is appreciated 🙂 @@vassos7058

[@Oosaka]

Thanks for the video! I actually tore my ACL too two years ago. The first year was tough but it's amazing how your body can heal and get stronger FAST. I think too that my operated leg is stronger now than before accident. It also made me pay attention to allignment more and getting stronger in overall too so hopefully that way I can avoid these kind of accidents in the future. Wish you the best! :)

[@jaquelyngonzalez8744]

I just tore my ACL and I’ve been super sad about it :( But listening to this has given me some motivation ❤

[@laraibshahzadi3270]

Hey dear, how r u now?

[@jaquelyngonzalez8744]

@@laraibshahzadi3270 so much better! I can’t believe how much an injury changed my perspective in life. Thank you for asking 🫂🫶🏼

[@williampiper6915]

Recently found that I have a ruptured ACL, so your video has been very informative and inspirational.

[@wwilliamcchan]

This video helped me so much! I’m also a dancer and just had my ACL surgery 2 weeks ago. The first week was definitely the hardest mentally and physically but its progressively getting better! I also got a CPM machine and been doing physical therapy and your video really motivated me to really keep up with the exercises (not that I wouldn’t have, but the video was an extra boost haha)! Hopefully the recovery is super quick!

[@laraibshahzadi3270]

Hi, how r u now?

[@tikytak21]

Just came across this video after completely tearing my acl too. Is reassuring to see your video!!

[@eshajoshi3139]

I got my surgery one week back and i feel like I'm in such a bad place. I'm a dancer as well and it feels impossible to get back to where i was before this injury. To be able to walk on your two week just feels impossible at this point. I'm trying to be positive as possible and i watch all kinds of recovery videos but yours helped me the most. I can totally relate ( even I waited 2 weeks to get my surgery done, i also have the CPM machine which I'm kinda lazy about) This video did really help me❤️

[@ElizabethHaydon]

Im two weeks after my surgery and walking normally is far off. I am still using crutches if im Going outside for a physiotherapy for example. But as you probably been told, the walking will come as the leg will heal. The most important thing to focus is to get your leg straight. If you have that than everything else would come in time.

[@godagikaite2781]

This is so so relatable, thanks a lot for sharing! I have been dancing for most of my life and recently undergone ACL and meniscus reconstruction. I also had a sharp vertical pain stretching from my calf to my thigh and was really scared I had DVT, but it went away after some time (compression socks, ankle pumps and keeping leg elevated really helps to prevent this!). Glad to hear that you are fully recovered ❤

[@michelleangeles4242]

thank you, this actually made me feel a lot better. i tore my acl while cheerleading and it’s been really hard. it’s my senior year of hs and i’m out for the rest of the year so that’s i think what is making this sm harder mentally. it’s currently november and my surgery is scheduled for january! i’m nervous but hearing other people’s stories make me feel like it will be okay :)

[@shahdabozeid2521]

how'd it go love? I'm going through the same thing rn I just tore it last week and it's also my hs senior year, college entrance exams are in two months so my surgery is scheduled for july, it's been really tough too but I know you're absolutely kicking it at rehab rn 💯

[@studywithkim8996]

I feel you 😢 I was preparing for my PE exams (badminton) when I tore mine. I actually dislocated my knee first but since I couldn't skip the exam, I just had to and tore my ACL. It was my dream to perform at my best for that exams and I was at my peak. My coach was like right after tour exam, we're gonna work on competition level training. It was my dream to travel to play. I lived for training. Basically did everything to train everyday (also sports helped me get away from house issues). My teacher that was rooting for me and was like a parent figure for me at school had been sent somewhere else that same year so I was already bummed. He had challenged me for a match against him at the end of the year, hence my exam... I felt like I failed him. I felt so guilty and it's not something I can get back to since I've been told I might not be able to return. That ruined my senior year 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@andrewp5564]

This was great. Informative and thoughtful. Good to hear from an athlete who is optimistic.

[@darleneaguilar581]

Thank you for sharing helping me prepare for my acl surgery

[@codice_pin]

Your kind of lucky to have doctor told you all these information. I have mcl, acl, pcl and meniscus torn. My doctor didn’t tell me anything except he would repair only acl I don’t have any choice of what kind of surgery it would be what kind of graph he would use. I learned everything later after my surgery is done that he actually use my hamstring and he also repaired my meniscus. I and left without much information of what i can or cannot do. Everything I know i have to search it online.

[@Neiss888]

Are you okay now ?

[@codice_pin]

@@Neiss888 kind of I think. This whole process, these medical staff act as if I shouldn’t know anything because I’m like wouldn’t have the brain to understand just do and obey on what they decide. This this terrible. My rehab session is just laying down and let them do pseudoscience light therapy and some kind of heat wave machine. I have to design my exercises myself. Last I my doctor just said now I have to practice single leg jumping. Just do it so that it’s the same as other good leg. I have to figure out myself the plan to reach that goal.

[@Neiss888]

@@codice_pin that's actually terrible.

[@ManuelFresh100]

Thanks for sharing your journey. My right ACL was reconstructed today. I know that it will be tough at first but it's part of the recovery process :) BTW my doctor instructed for 6 hours a day for the CPM machine 2hr x3. I opted for the cadaver due to quicker healing time (takes longer to recover due to the harvested area) and Ice to reduce swelling plays an important part for recovery as well. Don't be afraid to get a second opinion like you mentioned and do your own research as well

[@nathanandrei1307]

Thanks for posting this! I’ve been working on my knee strength to help prevent this, but unfortunately I was playing soccer and got hit my another player while in the middle of a jump and landed awkwardly. I knee immediately that I tore it and I’ve been in such a rut mentally since then. Going through all the “what if’s.” I felt really discouraged because it seems like I’m always getting injured and this is by far my worst, realizing that i won’t be able to do a lot of the things I love this summer. After seeing this video you’ve really encouraged me and made me excited to go along this journey and come out mentally and physically stronger in the end.

[@kedenewalker158]

Take your recovery seriously and you’ll get ba k mentally

[@9ineProd]

You're a legend for this. I'm a footballer based in the UK (as your side knows as soccer) who had his ACL reconstruction around a month and a half ago. I had a hamstring graft too for my ACL reconstruction so this is really insightful. However, I did also need meniscal repair as I damaged that in the process as well :(... Anyways, this was really helpful and cheered me up about my current situation!

[@KayleenBabel]

ahh man; well I hope you have a smooth recovery! I'm so glad to hear the video helped you :) Best of luck! It's only up from here!!!

[@itsgabbieagain]

Hey, how are you now one year later? I also had meniscus tear which I had a repair on, and recovery is tough

[@dummymail6457]

@@itsgabbieagainsame i also have both ACL & Meniscus tear. How are you now?

[@sophiajacobs2095]

How was ur experience with the NHS?

[@lovedayayto7652]

I have an articular tear and now I’m out for this football season, this video put my life in to perspective that there is always next season

[@stevanil5480]

thanks for sharing this. i was diagnosed for partial ACL tear, which kind of uncommon and im not an athlete. Note: I got my meniscus surgery on May 2023, and diagnosed for acl tear on my left knee on Sept 2023 the recovery for meniscus surgery was harddddd af, so im stalling the time for my left knee to get into surgery. doc said ok bcs it’s torn partially about 50% percent of it. now it’s november, i feel my left knee is kind of unstable, especially when i swing it. doc said i have to go under surgery, said “whats the point of delaying it? it must felt like you’re waiting for death sentence, cuz you dont know when it will completely torn and waiting for it anxiously” i dont know what to do, i have a long trip next year, and im afraid i can’t even walk properly after the surgery (though it only took me about 3 weeks after surgery for my right knee) but they said ACL post-op recovery is much harder than meniscus post-op, now im scared😅😅

[@theatremomhope609]

Oh Thank you so much for this update. I am 3 weeks post op!

[@anahysmoawad984]

Thank you so much for sharing your story. You mentioned strengthening your injured leg before surgery, how much pain and swelling do you have right after tearing your ACL? Were you able to do all the exercises recommended? Tx you!

[@Aaron83W]

I’m paying $75 dollars per PT session. I go 3 - 4 times per week. It’s definitely adding up….

[@monalisasweetheart7369]

My leg feels like plastic and I am scared to take a bath like I won't be able to get up. Its been almost 2 weeks and I worry this won't go away and also it feels stiff!! Thanks for this video!! I appreciate all your details & experience!!! 😇🥰

[@lucindahickson137]

Thanks for the video! I'm going to the ACL rehab at the moment. I was wondering if you still have full range of motion in your knee? Can you sit back on both of your knees fully? I really want to go back to Yoga but are worried my range of movement will never be the same...Thanks!

[@francisablaza2001]

Thanx for the advise I’m 7 days post op since last Friday!! First two days was so much pain like zombies were chewing on my knee for 48hrs 😂. I didn’t really use the pain killers because it made me so constipated smh. So far I have just been practicing bending and straightening my knee 3 times a day every 4 hours for 45 minutes at home. Still have some pain today but not as bad as the first two days. I will be seeing my doctor in 3 days again for the First time since surgery, hopefully I can start working with a physical therapist real soon and recover from this acl journey!

[@sakshirungta4849]

This was super helpful. I have two questions, what were the upper body and core workout that you did? And when did you start that?

[@suryamalla2162]

Same case, tore ACL just with a single jump while bowling in cricket but everything else is intact. Can I know when can I expect to not feel any discomfort while sleeping , current I am almost 3 week in post surgery.

[@ElizabethHaydon]

Im two weeks after second acl surgery... The first one was ten years ago and now I torn the acl in my second leg. From what I know Halograph (doner acl) is a very big no no for people under 30. Statistically people with halograph torn it again more often than your own tissue so some doctors told me that its kind of a crime to do that. But as you said with the hamstring there might be some complications, for example it might get torned during surgery and the knee cap is much harder to rehabilitate afterwards. Anyhow if someone hears this video and thinking of getting a doner tissue please contact many doctors before you do. My state right now is I can fully straighten the leg. Walking is still an issue and while at home i dont use the crutxhes outside I still am. The leg still a bit swollen and in pain. Its funny how now my injured leg is the healthy one. Take your time, it would heal.

[@brooklyndevlin6798]

I’m just seeing this but love it! As a dancer in my junior year, I just found out I might have torn my acl

[@darleneaguilar581]

Yes omg that pain was for me my Baker's cyst geezs so bad before my surgery it was happening smh

[@saramandl5284]

Heyyy its Sara you taught me a little while ago at mhlv can you post the happier dance?

[@dcat1730]

Hey, just FYI, donor (cadaver) tissue is considerably weaker than the grafts you get using your own tissue. Typically using your own tissue with ham/quad/patellar grafts gets you an ACL that's 2-3x stronger than your original one was. They usually suggest donor grafts for older folks who are less likely to re-tear since they're likely not as active as young people, and there's no risk of rejection with your own tissue. That being said, the rehab process is alot faster and less painful with a donor graft since you aren't recovering from losing 2/3 hammie tendons which is probably the pain you mentioned--I feel a similar pain anytime I hamstring curl/hyper extend my hamstring though its getting better (currently recovering from ham ACL reconstruction/meniscus repair) :)

[@user-sg8kq7ii3y]

I don't believe that's true. I read an article by famed surgeon Dr. James Andrews, and he said that it's impossible for any surgery to get you "stronger" than your original, uninjured body part. I remember him saying that people often feel that they got stronger due to the extensive physical therapy that they do in the process of rehab, which gets the surrounding muscles stronger, but it does not make the surgically repaired tissue stronger than the original.

[@pete7226]

Yup, def. Some misinformation here..NO graft is stronger than your original Acl. Furthermore...contrary to what people believe...any graft taken from your Patellar tendon or hamstring will Always leave you with a deficiency and problems down the road...many medical studies and patient experiences relay this...no great solution to the Acl tear problem...the new BEAR technique looks promising and has had equal success as reconstruction while keeping your own Acl.

[@sportxkostyli]

Ligaments is not a living tissue, there is no rejection. The only possible complication from a donor graft is virus, but it’s very rare.

[@rupshasinha1222]

Hey can you show the exercises you performed after surgery. I am also a dancer would like to see that and i tore my acl recently

[@Stuntz77]

Inspired me to work out more 1 week post op 😊

[@eviewilkinson9797]

I have just torn my ACL, currently waiting for surgery. Before surgery we’re you able to do dance classes or were you told you are unable ? Thanks hope your rehab is improving x

[@xilver3]

Thank you for sharing the encouraging words 🎉

[@sashdiaries9114]

I had my patella fracture 8 months ago and dance is my passion. So in the first week I really cried really bad but there were some people who helped me alot during my recovery and told me that everything was gonna okay and you will be able to dance again. My knee was dislocated and it is placed on its place with the help of screws so you can say I got screws in my knee. After operation I focused alot on recovery... At first it was painful but then it didn't hurt anymore and once I thought of quitting dance but I wasn't able to do so. Today onwards I started exercising too. Now I am thinking of dancing again but I have some questions like is it ok to dance again.. will my screw will come out if I dance or things like that and please if someone reads this comment then do reply..

[@VeraGijzen-pr6pr]

Hello! I am 14 years old, I am coming from the Netherlands and i tore my ACL and my meniscus at the root. I am so scared, I just want to sport again with al my friends and I am very late with growing, so I am probably on my 18th or 19th done with growing, so only then my knee's are not open anymore. I am getting a rare surgury now, but it's much harder than the normal one... I am so scared. I have the surgury in 5 days, but I don't really have the feeling like I am very strong yet. But it's probrably already too late now. I'm also wondering if i need a brace after surgury, because everyone has one but i'm not getting one.

[@tiana930]

Hi , if you were doing the proper exercises after your surgery how did you still get scar tissue?

[@avigayilmizrahi3539]

Can u do the happier dance remember the class with me and my friend we told you we subscribe to your channel we really want you to post it please

[@jaydenirl26]

When were you able to start going to classes again?

[@Nathan-ky2ym]

I am getting ready to have acl surgery in the next few weeks I am not ready

[@ad03dh]

Quad is a better graft now they are saying Bc of the weakness to the hamstring

[@Alicianmc]

bending the knee hurts for me. i am past 5 weeks post op.

[@shanXxx385]

Waiting on surgery for your injured leg how was your uninjured leg

[@Chavanun555]

What tendon graft did u use?

[@charlottedenning5633]

Hi Kayleen Babel

[@chrisgetskickedoutofwoods]

Kaylean is so lean!

[@KayleenBabel]

😂

[@kingj4853]

What insurance did you have?