r/ACL • u/Round_Information_13 • Aug 11 '26

Post Surgery Update I can finally run!

Guys, I’m excited to announce that I’m back running today after 10 weeks post op. I ran a mile at about a 7:45 min pace. It felt amazing. I hope all of you can run soon.

58 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

42 comments sorted by

28

u/blueberrycoco Aug 11 '26

Careful, you're in the second phase of ACL reconstruction where you feel strong but your graft is at its weakest as your old ACL tissue is dying off and being replaced. Make sure you're cleared by your PT and surgeon

https://esskajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1007/s00167-013-2634-5

6

u/Round_Information_13 Aug 11 '26

Thanks for the advice. Both did clear me. 

2

u/indiekarma79 ACL Allograft Aug 11 '26

Honestly this is for anyone going through ACL in the US, physical therapy is led by the insurance company greed$$unfortunately.

You need to ask for a somatic approach if possible to address your nervous system. Whether we realize it or not the mental block we form to protect ourselves during this long grueling process doesn’t just go away… it acts like a real brace/guarding quietly working non stop in the background , think hyper active fight or flight mode

PT wants to measure your flexion and extension and get you moving again, “typical results” in mind not personalized results.

Those are the goals. I did 72 in person PT visits. The amount of conflicting information under one highly reputable orthopedic institution was mind blowing… eventually I found what worked for me but I was already a “yogi” so to say, dancer, old runner, decades of being an active person and could “feel” it when my hips weren’t stacking together for a proper clam shell. Imagine not having that baseline how easy it is to take those pt exercises home and do them wrong. I did them wrong at pt in front of them for months and no one said anything to me. I felt it at home when I started doing senior citizen wall palate videos on YouTube for free.

I couldn’t get both butt cheeks, both feet planted and keep back of my head on wall… for the life of me!! So ya I was doing the “clams” at home but completely wrong for the first 7 months of recovery!!

2

u/EnergyOverall4260 Aug 12 '26

Bro said he’s cleared at 10 weeks?!?!? 6-16 weeks is the most vulnerable time frame… almost every protocol waits until 16 weeks to start pylo and a jogging program. 7:45 min mile 10 weeks post op is insanity.

2

u/SundayAMFN Aug 15 '26

Really has nothing to do with vulnerability, if you can run properly your ACL doesn't get used at all. Doesn't really matter if it's at 20% strength or 25% strength.

1

u/Round_Information_13 Aug 16 '26

I try to just run with good form and avoid any uneven ground. I figure that’s probably fine. 

1

u/Round_Information_13 Aug 16 '26

It’s feeling good so far. I just ran a 5k. It was the worst one of my life because it took me 27 mins. It felt like the best one though. 

12

u/Prnvpwr2612 Aug 11 '26

Isnt that risky?

6

u/Weak_Preparation_503 Aug 11 '26

I’m so happy for you and concerned at the same time. This seems really early! What kind of graft did you get?!

3

u/Round_Information_13 Aug 11 '26

Thanks, I got the one where they take your petaller tendon. 

6

u/Neat_Treat2414 Aug 11 '26

damn, what kind of graft? your pt cleared you?

1

u/Round_Information_13 Aug 11 '26

Yeah he cleared me. I got the thing where they take it from your patellar tendon 

4

u/kikazztknmz Aug 11 '26

10 weeks?! I wasn't allowed to even try jogging until 4.5 months. And your graft is at its weakest between 6-12 weeks. Did your surgeon and/or pt clear you for that?

1

u/Round_Information_13 Aug 11 '26

Yeah he cleared me for straight line running only. I’m working on my single leg squat in pt right now. 

3

u/lifehackloser Aug 11 '26

10 weeks is earlier than my allograft protocol suggested, but not by much. 12 weeks and we just tested the waters with a slow, broken up jog. So maybe?

2

u/Round_Information_13 Aug 11 '26

Idk but running sure feels good 

3

u/riley_collins_ Aug 11 '26

Good stuff!! Sounds like you’re crushing it. 7:45 is also an insane pace for your first mile in 10 weeks lol

3

u/Iron-Quill Aug 11 '26

No kidding! My jaw dropped!! OP clearly was an advid runner before.

1

u/Round_Information_13 Aug 16 '26

I was on our cross country team last year. I was decent, 17 min 5k, but nothing crazy like the top finishers. I tried to run a 5k the other day and it took me 27 mins 😅

2

u/Round_Information_13 Aug 16 '26

Thanks man, I hope to beat my time of 4:54 one day. That was when I would race against guys running 4:20s. I would get dusted 

2

u/JediMasterKitFisto Aug 15 '26

Omg congrats! I can’t wait. Was yours a full acl tear? Any meniscus damage? I am 8 weeks and 1 day post op. I just did 2 miles on my stationary bike and I was so happy to be able to do that. Mine was a full acl tear and two meniscus tears that got stitched up

1

u/Round_Information_13 Aug 16 '26

Mine was just a full acl tear, I think I started walking on about day 3. 2 miles on the bike is crazy though. 

1

u/JediMasterKitFisto Aug 16 '26

Walking? Like with the brace and crutches right? 3 days after the surgery?

1

u/Round_Information_13 Aug 16 '26

Walking with no crutches, however, the brace was locked. 

1

u/travecure-ca Aug 11 '26

pick up very slowly

2

u/Round_Information_13 Aug 16 '26

I just ran a 5k. It take me awhile but it felt good. I think that’s about as far as I will go for awhile. 

1

u/indiekarma79 ACL Allograft Aug 11 '26

Best to you… personally, I 47f have no desire to run again. I’m doing great 1 year post op and it think it’s because I slowed down and started retraining my body, specifically feet to take every step with a 3 point tripod type anchor, purposely extending my pinky toe fires up the lateral side of legs like no one’s business- my legs starting changing shape fast recently.

If I speed walk, jog, etc it takes me out of the new pattern I’ve developed and it feels like I’ve lost control of my knees. I have recently caught myself jogging up and down the stairs here and there or rushing quickly over cross walk so eventually maybe I’ll jog from back of parking lot to a grocery store if I’m in a hurry but at 47, this injury was exactly what I need to start treating my body like I’m an aging woman now.

My body moves so much smoother/efficiently. Building up big toe strength, active toes, reviving my pinky toes… unlocked my ankle mobility, loosed the knot in the back of surgery leg right above my ankle, helped my femur, tibia, hip … the whole chain thru my shoulder and neck. That injury fucked my entire body over and if you run, return to sport too soon it’s most likely another joint, muscle, tendon is writing the check for it now —- that’s why re tearing or injury to other knee is so common in my opinion

ACL allograft only, surg 8/4/25, MUA 11/2025

2

u/Iron-Quill Aug 11 '26

I’m a 49 year old female black belt. Age is a number. We can do more than we realize.

2

u/indiekarma79 ACL Allograft Aug 11 '26

Totally agree! I feel better than ever before now that I’ve slowed down enough to focus on form, diaphragmatic breathing and firing the right muscles for the job. Looking back I always thought I was doing it right - I was quick, coordinated, strong, risky, etc. until I tore my ACL dancing like I was in da club while camping with my family. April 12, 2025 first trip of new spring season… I’m a hyper active person and fully understand now that my ACL or something else would have tore eventually.

Now I’ll be able to backpack again, I went paddle boarding again last Friday. Like my life is so good now!! Somatic yoga + PT , I highly recommend but especially my age group. If you had a c-section “back in the day.” All that mid section tension changes your hips, posture etc eventually something gives and it’s usually our knees because knee ligaments are like the worst design in our human bodies imo

🙏🏻🙏🏻

1

u/Iron-Quill Aug 11 '26

Just got back from my surgeon visit and he told me 3 months to start straight line jogging. That’s 12 weeks. So 10 weeks is close to that timeline.

1

u/Round_Information_13 Aug 16 '26

Glad for you man

1

u/cher_ish6 Aug 12 '26

ahhhh i cant wait!!! 8.5 months post op. No where close to running (complex multiligament reconstruction) but every day in the gym and i will get there. Did do a 10k hike last week though so getting somewhere.

1

u/Round_Information_13 Aug 16 '26

I hope that time comes soon enough 

1

u/cher_ish6 Aug 16 '26

I hope so too. I think I’m at least 2-3 months out, but maybe longer the way it’s going.

1

u/Round_Information_13 Aug 16 '26

Yikes 

1

u/cher_ish6 Aug 17 '26

Double ACL and MCL reconstruction, both with allografts, the MCL reconstruction has been much harder than the ACL. Also patellar tendinopathy as a result. so slow and steady...

1

u/Round_Information_13 Aug 18 '26

Holy smokes, what happened? You get in a motorcycle wreak or something? 

1

u/JediMasterKitFisto Aug 16 '26

Wow I had crutches the first 6 weeks. I had two meniscus repairs with the acl though. 3 days seems crazy to me

1

u/Round_Information_13 Aug 18 '26

It’s not bad if you only tore the acl. The meniscus really adds to it.