my acl surgery (1 week recovery/experience)

I got acl surgery... it was the most scary things I've ever done but I got through it stronger! I had a complete acl repair with a patella graph and a partial meniscus repair. I am doing so much better now and everyday I get a little better, ESPECIALLY with physical therapy. I hope you enjoyed the video, thank you for watching and I hope you have an awesome day :)
ANOTHA DAY ANOTHA SLAY
love, emily
instagram: @emily.whitcher

[@athanasiapapandonakis624]

I am going in for acl surgery some time in January next year and I am so scared, but watching this made me feel so much better about it. Thank you so much, and keep up the good work! Wishing you a safe and speedy recovery!

[@emilywhitcher]

aww thank you so much! and good luck with your surgery, i'm so glad i could help! it's going to go so well and you'll come out so much stronger

[@athanasiapapandonakis624]

@@emilywhitcher Thank you so much! My surgery has been moved back to sometime in April which does suck, but it gives me more time to do a better pre-hab, so it's looking good!

[@emilywhitcher]

@@athanasiapapandonakis624 yess focus on the pre-hab!! i’ve heard it changes everything, i wish i had time to do more

[@mikaelpersaud5094]

@@emilywhitcherTriple H tore his ACL 2001 & 2007.

[@Andy-mx6wl]

Thank you!! Im getting surgery next month and watching videos like this makes me less nervous. Love you girl❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Hi_how_are_you251]

I just had surgery on my left knee a month ago. Both of my knees dislocate and it has been one of the hardest things of my life. You seem like you did amazing! Great job!

[@emilywhitcher]

im so sorry that sounds really though! i promise you’ll get through it, i hope it’s going well! and thank you

[@aubreyh1422]

this video is awesome! super helpful! I also tore my ACL and I get my first surgery in two days. It’s not as major as the reconstruction but it’s still pretty intense. the video was a great example of what it’s gonna look like post op. hope your recovery is speedy and good❤️

[@emilywhitcher]

aww I’m so glad the video helped!! I hope your surgery goes well and you recover super quick

[@oliviahoose3026]

Just had surgery three days ago! This video gives me hope and helped me relate a lot!!❤️

[@emilywhitcher]

awww I’m glad! good luck with your recovery!!

[@isabellenaofal7471]

good luck with your recovery, i am a month post op rn :D

[@noay3041]

@@emilywhitcherI have surgery in 1 month’s how your recovery is going so far?

[@emilywhitcher]

@@noay3041 my recovery is going really well! about 2 months until full recovery!

[@kylannlyssand6860]

I tore my ACL during a basketball game, idrk what happened. I had to ball and shot, then heard cracking and popping. Anyways I’m getting surgery tomorrow so 😭😭. Tysm for this!!

[@abbysumpter1385]

SO PROUD OF YOU

[@emilywhitcher]

AWW THANK YOU!!!!

[@farahnikitakhairhassan221]

Hi emily....thx so much for sharing lil sis....just done my acl....you vlog so nice and inspired🧸

[@MckenzieThomas-ot9vq]

Good luck!!!!! I hope it goes well for you!!! I am praying for you!!!!❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@hairspray_hair]

2 years late but still ay as well comment! i have to get surgery on my knee soon, super minor but I'm still terrified. this video made me feel a lot better about the whole thing, so tysm for posting!

[@emilywhitcher]

ofc, i’m glad it helped!!

[@sweeefi]

get well soon!! 😞🤍🤍

[@emilywhitcher]

Aww thank you so much!!

[@VibratoIbanez]

I just had my ACL surgery on 8 Dec (4 days ago). Was super chill going to the OT with no nervousness. Post Op has been great. I have no brace on. I could do calf raises on day 2 with ease. Even half squats. Think my intense pre-hab is paying off now. I had no issues with pain whatsoever and only minimal discomfort which I'd discount completely. Maybe I'm lucky but my experience is great so far.

[@emilywhitcher]

that's so awesome!! i wish i would have done more pre-hab, i think it would have helped a ton! good luck with the rest of your recovery!

[@VibratoIbanez]

@@emilywhitcher thank you! How are you doing now with recovery? How's the rehab

[@emilywhitcher]

@@VibratoIbanez OFC! it's going really well!, 3 more months and i should be almost back to normal!

[@plumeria5422]

Hey! Just curious, what did your pre-hab look like? I tore my ACL 2ish weeks ago and I’m getting surgery in about 3 weeks. I’m just trying to do all I can before then.

[@emilywhitcher]

@@plumeria5422 i didn’t do any pre hab bc i had surgery just a few days after i found out i tore my acl :( however i know so many people who benefited so much for their pre hab

[@ang_moli]

getting knee surgery this friday and so scared but this helped me thank u!

[@emilywhitcher]

aww good luck! i’m glad i could help

[@7wilson210]

Im at 6 days post op right now, ACL and double meniscus repair. And i have been watching these trying to give myself some hope, cause wow i am bored staying in one place, not able to move.

[@cocosarah22]

nice video! i also had knee surgery a couple months ago but not as severe as you lol! I hope you have a speedy recovery and keep up the good work!

[@emilywhitcher]

aww thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed!

[@raelynwhipkey14]

I am so glad you got through it ok. I dislocated my left knee and had to have surgery then 6 months later I dislocated my right knee and had to have surgery on that knee. I have a while before I can play soccer again but i am glad your surgery went well. You are lucky you could go up the stairs i was not able to. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

[@emilywhitcher]

Aww thank you so much

[@Melissa-rb6ct]

Wait why did you need surgery for a dislocated knee? Did you tear something or has it happened multiple times?

[@raelynwhipkey14]

@Melissa it was going to dislocated again then the other knee dislocated. They didn't give me an option on the second one and i went through a lot of physical therapy and it didn't get better. Then when they went in for the surgery they said it is good I had the surgery because I tore the ligament really bad.

[@Melissa-rb6ct]

@@raelynwhipkey14 oh so I assume you had like weak ligaments or something that’s a why it happened more than once. Cuz I’ve dislocated my left knee twice within a year and I was told if it happened again I might need surgery. But thanks for your response

[@raelynwhipkey14]

@@Melissa-rb6ct yeah I have a conective tissue disorder

[@christinabannasch3337]

I just got acl reconstruction surgery two days ago and it’s been pretty hard. It’s uncomfortable to lay here all day and try to go to the bathroom. Today is better than yesterday for sure but I’m hoping I can feel better in the next few days and start to out pressure and try to shower tomorrow

[@talyamizrahi9908]

Hey how do you feel?

[@rosegoodman1126]

I know how you feel I had acl and meniscus surgery to. Its a tough recovery with lots of tears but i promise it’s worth it in the end. I hope you have a full recovery

[@emilywhitcher]

aww thank you so much! I really appreciate it

[@missthing777]

I will have acl surgery next week and I’ve been so scared :( this gives me hope❤️

[@emilywhitcher]

aww that makes me so happy that this video helped! I know you’re going to be just fine, remember you’re going to come out so much stronger!

[@tessadooley1313]

I've had 4 knee surgeries I promise it's not as scary as you think but I understand the anxiety about it good luck and you'll do great

[@sulakshanamaitra1483]

Just got mine done 3 weeks back. Don’t worry. The pain lasts only for 2 days post surgery. Start your rehab immediately

[@TheOfficialEDC]

Just had ACL reconstruction and meniscus repair surgery 2 weeks ago and still working on getting full extension and flexion back. The worst part is definitely over though!

[@liamisaac1152]

Congrats to you!! I wish you nothing but the best in your recovery. I most likely won’t have surgery until next year but hearing others experiences is very reassuring

[@AmySmith-pt7pb]

May I know what kind of ACL reconstruction did you get? Was it tibialis anterior allograft?

[@TheOfficialEDC]

@@AmySmith-pt7pb I’m not sure exactly the type/method of ACLR I got but I used a hamstring graft (autograft) as the source. I’m at 10 months now and knee is finally starting to feel close to pre-surgery level again. Assuming you are considering ACLR options, so wishing you a speedy recovery!

[@AmySmith-pt7pb]

@@TheOfficialEDC Thank you for letting me know. My doctor will do allograft for my knee reconstruction.

[@AmySmith-pt7pb]

@@TheOfficialEDC I am getting both ACL and meniscus repair.

[@Julia36D]

It’s interesting that you’re laid up in bed. I’m having this surgery in a week (18 years after I tore my acl. Had no idea I was walking around on a fully torn acl). It’s been made very, very clear to me I am not to stay in bed and that I need to be as mobile as possible from day 1. Also, no brace for me as the surgeon highlighted the importance of not letting the joint get stiff.

[@jyoung6366]

Sounds like she has different care recommendations than you which is okay.

[@CRAZYSTORIES78]

Going for ankle surgery in two days in so scared!!! 😔

[@emilywhitcher]

good luck!! 💕

[@MaryettaGraves]

I had a 3-day nerve block machine and that helped my recovery a lot. And being a person who isn’t reliant on heavy meds for pain and not being a person who needs them really the heavy pain pills made me sleep so much despite taking half a pill for 4 days lol. This surgery was my 2nd one in 10 years lol (first surgery was when I was 17 and the second was last year in 2023 at 27)

[@hanaaahmed5844]

Get well soon We love you

[@emilywhitcher]

aww thank you so much!! love you too

[@pragyeybende2995]

Had surgery 4 days back, wish me speedy recovery

[@emilywhitcher]

good luck!!

[@taralong4478]

yess em!

[@emilywhitcher]

thanks!!!!!

[@KnightsF7]

Thank you for posting your experience with ACL, how did the ACL tear?

[@damarisamaya5142]

Hi Just had acl and meniscus repair and is been 21 days and I’m now on PT, but just stared last Friday, is really painful to do the bending of the knee I barely made it to 75* with the help of the pt on my own is really hard, how are you doing? Is your knee motion going well, my process I think has been a little different from the other videos I seen and I understand is a little slower bc of the meniscus part but I’m trying to do all my exercises which are easier (except for the bending) and I feel stronger every day, I’m able to walk with out the crutches but with the brace very slow..hopefully you are moving faster than me, I wish you a speedy recovery ❤️‍🩹

[@emilywhitcher]

i’m sorry your recovery isn’t going too fast right now. I also had my meniscus repaired and it makes it extra hard for me to do a lot of things. I still can’t walk but my bending is going pretty good! just keep pushing through your recovery and keep doing your exercises, you got this!!

[@Willcall11forpapa]

thus helped me get threw my acl surgery thanks.

[@talyamizrahi9908]

I'm having surgery soon and I'm very scared. I can't even describe how much . When I just go to checkups where the doctor barely touches my leg and just checks the area, I start to cry. I just don't know what to do, the fear is really taking over me

[@alibozkurt8719]

Same as you bro my knee twisted at soccer I have to go surgery but i cancalled it bcz I fear :( how are you now? how is your progress did you get surgery

[@GOATPRODS]

I just hurt my knee in my baseball game a few days ago and am probably gonna get an MRI, so hopefully I don’t need surgery

[@RaeannWriston]

I get my acl surgery next weds! I’m so scared my worst fear is surgery

[@kimaarontamayo7566]

Just had surgery at july this helps me 🙏

[@emilywhitcher]

i’m glad!! i hope you recover well

[@elisabethlybert8724]

I have stairs to go to to get to me room too you gave me hope to be able to go to my room. I am having surgery tomorrow morning.

[@emilywhitcher]

good luck with your surgery and getting upstairs! my room is also upstairs and i was able to get up there with a lot of help. it was definitely best for me to get upstairs before the pain medicine started wearing off/before my knee started hurting.

[@elisabethlybert8724]

I had surgery this morning it was Originally just a scope surgery and a fat pad clean up. They were gonna remove any scar tissue. They saw nothing on my MRIs. My surgeon found a piece of loose cartilage and removed it. So they’re pretty sure that’s what was causing my pain. I have a post op at 11:00 tomorrow!

[@emilywhitcher]

@@elisabethlybert8724 WOOHOO, you made it! sounds like everything went well and i'm wishing you a quick recovery!

[@elisabethlybert8724]

@@emilywhitcherThank you! I am also allowed to be full weight bearing if tolerated.

[@emilywhitcher]

@@elisabethlybert8724 THAT'S AWESOME!!!

[@luisangelgonzaleztrujillo4720]

I had my surgery on may 10th 2023 lol, literally a year after yours I’m sure, how are you doing now?

[@emilywhitcher]

aww i hope you’re recovering well!! i’m doing so good now, basically back to normal!!

[@davidvazquez5377]

Just had surgery 3 days ago pcl acl mcl meniscus and it’s been mixed emotions going threw with it but can still barely feel my knee

[@abbysumpter1385]

Okay guys

[@emilywhitcher]

mhm that is what i say

[@staceyfairley9453]

Did you take pain pills everyday? Or do without them? I’m PANICKED about my surgery. 😮😢

[@emilywhitcher]

i def had pain pills haha! i just took them as the doctor prescribed them tho and i tried to not take them for too long

[@natalielarsen6761]

Feel better

[@emilywhitcher]

THANK YOU!

[@danieloconnell6306]

Monday April eighth I am having surgery on my left shoulder to remove a osteochondroma

[@lishanahmed8885]

Are you fine in this year?? 1 year ago your surgery done.

[@rosalie1339]

Hey! I tore my acl and I’m going to get surgery in around a week, wondering how you’re doing 2 months into recovery. How long did it take you to walk without crutches?

[@emilywhitcher]

hello, right now (at almost 3 months), I am able to do a lot of things that I used to. I still can run or play sports or jump, but I can swim and walk! I started walking after 6 weeks which was the soonest that I could since I also had a meniscus repair. good luck with your surgery!!

[@rosalie1339]

@@emilywhitcher Thank you! I’m doing an acl repair but i also have a partially torn MCL so I’m not sure how that will effect my recovery. I’m was hoping to walk in 2 weeks in time for school but that doesn’t seem realistic 😭 Anyways congrats on being able to swim it must be fun 😋

[@emilywhitcher]

@@rosalie1339 aww that’s to bad!! I hope you recover super quick!!

[@rosalie1339]

@@emilywhitcher thank youuu

[@shanXxx385]

Before you had surgery did your uninjured knee ever feel a little painful and tired??and did you have a brace before you went for surgery

[@emilywhitcher]

my knee was not ever in pain before i injured it, it all happened when it was injured the first time. i didn't have a brace before surgery

[@shanXxx385]

I mean like you have an acl tear on one knee and what about the other knee did you feel pain on the uninjured knee?

[@craftingworld7196]

how old are you?

[@samr9058]

How are you doing now I hope ur okay !! I get my surgery in 9 days and is there anything I should know also how was the pre op what did they do did you get your bloods taken or anything like that.How was the nerve block can u tell me what they did sorry for all the questions I’m really interested and I hope your doing better 🤍

[@emilywhitcher]

thank you I am doing really well! The pre op was really quick for me, they just went over what was going to happen in the surgery and gave me the brace for after. The nerve block didn’t hurt at all, it was actually really awesome bc I didn’t feel any pain for almost a day after the surgery! no problem, good luck with your surgery!!

[@samr9058]

@@emilywhitcher thank you so much I was a bi worried but now you have told me I’m much better do thank you !!cx

[@emilywhitcher]

@@samr9058 OFC!!

[@emmajohnson5565]

My First Surgery went well any time today to be a good day for me and my get well soon Cake

[@emilywhitcher]

i’m glad you’re first surgery went well!!

[@christianrobles9]

How did you injure your knee if you mind me asking?

[@emilywhitcher]

not at all! i injured it in a soccer game

[@christianrobles9]

@@emilywhitcher are you planning on returning to play?

[@emilywhitcher]

@@christianrobles9 i do plan on returning to finish my season

[@gamanunez5156]

Hey, do you not play sports?? And Are you not going through Physical therapy?

[@emilywhitcher]

Hi, do play a sport. I play soccer and that is how I tore my acl. I started physical therapy 1 week after my surgery, so it was after I finished filming for this video. But I have been doing physical therapy for 5 weeks now and it is helping a lot!

[@anjubiswas2519]

From Bangladesh 💖

[@abbysumpter1385]

I want some chocolate bread

[@emilywhitcher]

oh me too!

[@sierracache3459]

What medicine are you having?

[@emilywhitcher]

It was OxyContin, which is just a REALLY strong pain killer.

[@rosegoodman1126]

I had that too

[@sierracache3459]

I ended up only having to take Tylenol and aspirin. I didn’t want to take the oxy and the other strong pain killer they prescribed. I’m 3 weeks now, made it over the hump of the pain.. Does pain pop back up randomly?

[@emilywhitcher]

@@sierracache3459 congrats on now needed the strong pain killers!! and the pain hasn’t randomly popped up for me since the first few weeks.

[@wadehamlin]

You can crutch good.

[@suedhoray3286]

Hi hi Emily I hav surgery on Mon … I got acl and meniscus tear so presently I’m walking jus wanted to know alittle bout ur brace u used I live in the Caribbean so it kinda hard finding the brace so I’m u sure on what to get

[@suedhoray3286]

Can u tell me the brand of the please 🙏🏾

[@emilywhitcher]

good luck with your surgery

[@suedhoray3286]

Ok thanks much 🙏🏾

[@karlyfreiberg4124]

im getting acl surgery next week and im so nervous!! any tips to calm down before surgery?? :)

[@emilywhitcher]

good luck with your surgery! trying to think of the positives and the benefits that fixing your acl will have helped me calm down before my surgery

[@karlyfreiberg4124]

@@emilywhitcher thank you sm

[@emilywhitcher]

@@karlyfreiberg4124 ofc!!

[@karlyfreiberg4124]

@@emilywhitcher surgery is today and omg i am so scared

[@emilywhitcher]

@@karlyfreiberg4124 I promise you its going to be just fine! stay strong and keep looking on the bright side! I know you can get through it!

[@mikecarlogarcia]

i love you 😘

[@sammyweiss282]

Girl!! I just DMed you on insta... I’m getting mpfl reconstruction surgery June 16th, I’m in desperate need of tips and tricks!

[@emilywhitcher]

Got it, good luck with your surgery!! I’ll check out the dm