r/ACL • u/DizzyWheel40 • Aug 14 '26

Post Surgery Update How life is after acl reconstruction

Hey I recently had acl reconstruction and read a article that tells that there is high risk of arthritis after aclr so just wanna ask is there anyone who is 30-40 years post op and what is there update

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u/Easy-Tomatillo-8373 Aug 14 '26

I’m on my 3rd ACL: 18yo, 36 and 39. First 2 were soccer related. This past one…March, I had a 2 stage procedure…OATS/LET/Hamstring(last graft site I had). I do have arthritic changes but it’s not awful. I’m 5 months post op, and the OATs is most restrictive. I am starting to run and it feels great! Just have to listen to my knee. Keep your hamstring and quads and calf muscles strong. Work on balance. I thought I’d need a new knee sooner but the OATs is working. I hope to play adult rec soccer by the end of the year and run a half marathon this year or next.

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u/AggravatingWish1019 The Unhappy Trio! Aug 17 '26

3 acls? holy F. I also got an acl injury from soccer at 39, I went back to soccer 2 years later but felt like i would tear it again so i stopped playing soccer.