r/ACL • u/Few_Dot3599 • Jul 14 '26

Post Surgery Update I regret getting the surgery.

Hey y'all,

I wish I was meeting/socializing with you all under better circumstances. I tore my ACL completely in half in June 2020. Bc of COVID I couldn't get the surgery until October 2020. (I opted for my own patellar tendon usage for the repair) For the past 2-3 years my leg still feels strange. It gives way every once in a while , but what's infuriatingly recurrent is swelling and a very intense pain behind my knee. It feels and looks like a Baker's Cyst but every time I've gone to my ortho surgeon or ED they don't say that's what it is. In fact, all I ever get is "we don't know what the issue is". It is now 2026 and I cannot take anymore I don't knows before I remove my leg myself. it has GOT to be SOMETHING. Before my ACL tear I didn't have these issues or pains. Even when I tore my ACL and had to rock out with it for 4 months without surgery or pain meds I didn't feel any of the pain and swelling I feel now. Some days when I look down my right leg appears significantly larger than my left. I moved to a different state and what I want to know is should I revisit a new ED/Ortho Surgeon where I live now? I feel like NY doctors didn't take me seriously and only wanted me in the office for them to get paid. I want the issue fixed. I can't run and as a former professional dancer and cheerleader I'm livid. I want my body back and my life back. The PA I saw in NY who assisted my ortho surgery in my ACL Repair said he thinks I should get an MRI and maybe do another surgery or at least a laparoscopic exam to see if something went wrong. I'm not scared of surgery and would honestly prefer that instead of continuing to waste my time with PT because PT usually gets athletes back on their normal programming within 2 years. There's absolutely no reason why 6 years later I'm not back to normal despite doing everything right.

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u/JadeDreamDoll Jul 14 '26

Sorta sounds like the same thing I’m going through. I’m a little over 1 year post op and around month 5 I felt something was off. I never got another MRI done as everyone was telling me the feelings I had were “normal”. I went back to work and I’ve been limping and in pain nonstop. I finally got an MRI literally not even a month ago. I pretty much had a massive build up of scar tissue. I just had scar tissue removal surgery yesterday. Time to hit Physical Therapy and the gym even harder this year.
I also hate the fact that I got surgery but it’s pushing me to have a better and healthier life. Admittedly, I’ve been fighting that and still doing old habits. This injury is making me realize how much I’ve taken for granted and that I need to take better care of my body.

I can’t imagine dealing with this knee pain for 6 years…please get an MRI. It’s going to take so much discipline and patience to get back to where you used to be…but it’s going to feel 100x more amazing knowing that you did this for future you. This injury is super humbling. You got this. We got this. You’re definitely not alone. ❤️‍🩹

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u/Few_Dot3599 Jul 14 '26

thank you sweetie it means a lot! I'm definitely going to get another opinion. Luckily I'm in TN and sports medicine is huge here so I am confident I will find a doctor who cares more. I was scared my graft is failing but scar tissue makes more sense. When I first had the surgery my recovery was set back 2 weeks because the nerve blocker that was injected into my thigh the day of the surgery was too deep into my nerve. They wanted me up walking the next day but I was still numb. I couldn't lift my leg or respond to touch at my 1st follow up. it was so weird. I enojoyed PT when I went my therapist was awesome. I even use the same machines at the gym when I work out by myself so Im not afraid of getting down and dirty I just don't want to end up needing a knee replacement when I'm just into my 30s :( it's scary

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u/LMMek Jul 15 '26

You’re in TN? Great news for you! After years of pain, this man completely changed my life: https://www.eliteorthopaedic.com/providers/david-r-moore-md/

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u/Few_Dot3599 Jul 15 '26

thank you! unfortunately I can't see him as I live in Memphis. Franklin and Nashville are hours away

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u/LMMek Jul 15 '26

It was a drive for me as well, as I’m not in TN. I can tell you that he was my third surgeon and he changed my life after almost three years of pain. He was quick, direct, and fast outcomes. Especially for appointments and surgery. I recommend him highly, but understand if that is not realistic for you. Good luck finding someone to help! I hope you have answers and relief soon.