I went MRI @ Forest medical center, kepong early this month and the report came out and stated that my ACL completely torn.
then i went and have a consultation with a orthopedic dr somewhere near there and he said that surgery is the best to recover.
anyone had the experience undergo the ACL reconstruction surgery? any good Dr near PJ area? my company took AIA and their panel around PJ is Tropicana medical center & KPJ Damansara

Hi TS,

are u an athlete/professionally playing any sport?
if not, i suggest u dont undergo the surgery.

maybe can give urself a really long break from any physical activity and see how?

just my 2cents.

Ah! Finally someone with this problem. Like what edvey mentioned, unless your knee is the source of your income (you're a prefessional footballer, basketballer, etc.), then no, you do not need to fork out that extra amount of money for a reconstruction surgery.

Btw, the doctor said it's a tear. But to what degree is the tear? Minor tears do not require surgeries.

As a matter of fact, research has shown that ACL reconstruction predisposes to a higher incidence of osteoarthritis (OA). Also, the outcome of conservative treatment over surgery has no difference, as research has shown.

just do it since u have completely tore it.. There's no other way n u won't want an unstable knee going along rite?

Btw, a good surgeon is only half of the journey, the other half is good physios. In a certain way, good physios are more crucial. As u c, the surgeon only spent few hours on the operation, and the following weekly follow up. But thereafter, u still have to spent "MONTHS" doing ur rehab.

its complete tear bro

yes. that is the other half of the journey. the 1st half is a good dr.

would you mind explain?

ps: speaking from experience here

for me it;s how determined u are before and after the surgery.
good luck bro.

i did my ACL surgery last nov and it went well.
below are my progress :
2 weeks - walk without crutches but with leg stabilizer
4 weeks - walk normal
2 months - slow jog
current - back to futsal

i did at sunway medical at it cost about 21k including the 60 days physio
usually the doc will give u 8 weeks MC.
the doc advice me to go for surgery as it will cost arthritis in early age and better do it while still young,
as its alot more easier to heal,stronger to do physio.
individual plays alot of effort & patience to do physio as it really really really helps!
do physio more and ull see the effect.

let me know if you need further info.
u might google the procedure in utube

Explanation to: "...research has shown that ACL reconstruction predisposes to a higher incidence of osteoarthritis (OA)..."

To quote PubMed:


This means that an ACL reconstruction, as compared to conservative treatment (application of physiological therapeutics), given the same amount of time, surgery will cause your knee to have a higher chance of developing OA of the knee. OA is the wearing and tearing of the articular cartilage of the bones, causing bone-on-bone contact. This significantly reduces the quality of life, as it causes pain during movement of any set of joints that has OA.


Explanation to: "...the outcome of conservative treatment over surgery has no difference, as research has shown..."

To quote PubMed, again:


By "outcome", i mean "post-surgery". In the view of post-surgery, there is no decreased risk of developing OA.
In terms of recovery, of course surgery provides a faster route to solving the ACL-tear. And in terms of quality of life, surgery appears to restore a certain amount of quality of life. But then again, we should be able to see things in the long-run, and not rather just cure-now-think-later. Surgical intervention will undeniably cost you a bomb, while restoring your quality of life temporarily, you are at risk of an earlier development of OA as compared to those who treated it conservatively.

So to say, ACL/PCL injuries of the knees are really debilitating, as no matter what, you're doomed for osteoarthritis

PubMed source: Ligament Injury, Reconstruction and Osteoarthritis

Ouch! That must be painful...

Firstly, how you tore your ACL? If you're a athlete (just like edvey ask u earlier) and you wanna continue what u do, go for surgery. If you're not then it's optional not to do so.

For the surgery: Some of the best doctors in this field resides in Penang. There are 1 or 2 really good ones in KL but I do not have the contacts. If you're interested in Penang PM me for contacts. I'll ask about the KL ones for you. Many of my team football members tore both their ACL n PCL due to intense football activities regularly I'm almost there! Anyway, many of them did it in Penang and the results was very good. BTW, I'm from Perak ya. The doctors there very good at diagnose problem to your injury. Proper recommendations... I remember there is one in KL that many national athletes went to, can't recall the name. Let me ask my seniors.

For no surgery: Consult your preferable doctor, do sports physio is an alternative to surgery. I didn't know this technique exist until 2003 when I was in Michigan that time. They had it ages ago! One of my buddy snap his ACL during a game. It happens in front of me. He just lay down n scream in joy! We went to the uni hospital and the doctor told us that it's optional not to do it. Well, the idea is to strengthen some of the particular muscles group around your knees to replace the torn ligament functions. The doctor said it was possible and the recovery rate is very high and fast. Downside is you can't stress your knee to maximum potential anymore...

One more thing, after the surgery (after the initial 6-8 weeks), no sports like football or basketball or tennis in particular. I recommend you to hit gym after that time and during your physio time. It will speed up your recovery. Consult your therapist... do it on your own at home or gym. Use a warm water bag to place it on your knee (do this after you're done with your crutches), for 30-45 minutes until the water cool down. Do it consistently every night at first, you can lower the frequency as you heal along. Give yourself more time to recover properly n don't rush it. You can slow jog after 8 weeks. The reason for proper rest n conditioning is when you heal... your knee will be stronger bcoz you're prepared physically n mentally.

GET WELL SOON!!!

This post has been edited by mansai: Mar 27 2012, 03:27 AM

Usually its plant (of leg and foot onto ground), twist (of femur on tibia), and pop (classical sound of ACL tear).

Thank goodness, i never experienced it before. Always wondering those badminton players with rubbery shoes...there is just so much friction on their shoes with the surface, so much risk for ACl injuries!

You may try Dr Soh in Gleaneagles; he pioneered scope surgery in Malaysia. Many MSC athletic seeks him.

Hi,
I am a physiotherapist.
In my opinion, i really think you should get it done, otherwise in another few years from now you might regret that you have not done anything about it.
It might also cost you more than what you have to pay now in the future.

You can PM me if you need any advise.


Thank you.

your recovery is quite good. where did u do physio?

i also did my MRI today certified ACL completely torn with some meniscus tear due to football 3 weeks ago.. twisted my knee.. i dint think its that serious at first.. but fk. haha. damn it.. .. at that time when my right knee pops, that was freaking awesome the pain.. i cant explain.. but after that i still can walk.. just numb and weak.. drove home and next day i am walking but in pain.. after a week i walk normal again.. just that when i bent ..the knee suddenly lose balance.. now i have to visit doctor again next appointment most likely gonna do surgery.. i dont know why my leg did not swell , where else my friend broke his ACL he say he couldnt walk at all for a week and the swell was intense

acl tear wont affect ur straight line walking/running, its when ur pivoting or cutting in football u'll feel the instablility of the knee.

serious? im feeling week sometimes when my knee is flex would give way.. dont know how to explain .. like taking stairs also..

yea, it feels like the knee is instable right? like the rubber band holding the knees is not there anymore .. well, thats wat ligament is for, to "hold" ur knees. No matter wat, go c a doctor n mri la~

Did MRI dy Lo doctor keep referring to other doctor has been dragging for 3 weeks each diff doctor appointment takes a week .. Sien , next week will see the doc operating my knee then only I know when I can have the operation,

did you go for a second opinion? Actually for a ACL, injury there is no hurry, hence there is no urgency from the doctor's end.

I too had ACL injury and torn meniscus on both my knee, but I opted not to operate. ANd do rehabilitation (physio,if you may call).

I had to rest for one year to regain both my leg strength since that had shrink-ed.

The choice is yours but do a learned decision.

This post has been edited by VeeJay: Apr 13 2012, 12:03 AM

bro thanks for the advice i know its no hurry.. but in order to claim my insurance my agent ask me dont drag too long..
and i want to do sports.. i mean possible that no longer able to play football..
at least i can play golf or something lighter without any trouble.. if i dont do operation i scared i cant even enjoy light sports.. i can feel that im gaining weight lol!!

This post has been edited by heng84: Apr 13 2012, 01:39 PM