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Why can't my knee fully extend after my ACL recon?
I had an ACL reconstruction 29 years ago using my middle patellar tendon as a graft. However, even after all these years, it's still not able to fully extend. There's like a 6° bend in my knee. I'm still able to go long-distance jogging, squatting heavy weights, and I can bend it, but it's not as bendable as my non-surgical knee. I've been in big trouble when I over-flexed it doing the yoga "hero pose."
Anyways, I was wondering what's impinging my knee from extending all the way out like my non-surgical knee. Is it something in the FRONT of my knee that's blocking full movement, or is it something associated with the tendons and ligaments in the back that's unable to fully relax (or has been made shortened since my ACL reconstructive surgery 29 years ago)?
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I agree that itis likely to be related to your ACL or MCL that are not extending enough.
I'd suggest you contact this knee specialist via the website here: https://www.bing.com/alink/link?url=https://www.epmanualphysicaltherapy.com/&source=serp-local&h=dpVkob1PGwSlE2nsuT27QwGmed6I6wJh+y/hVSgM188=&p=lw_tpt&ig=9DB0C869A5A14576954998B63AF6C1A0&ypid=YN873x10887923233657363199
PT then is nowhere near what it is today. I suggest you make an appointment with a physical medicine doctor for an evaluation and then PT.
HI @bostonkneedsme,
I severed my ACL and MCL in the late 70s. The surgery involved drilling a hole through the bone and rerouting muscle through the bone to replace the severed ligaments. I was in a cast for six weeks with my leg bent and nonweight bearing. After the cast came off, I had physiotherapy every morning for five days a week for four months. It was gruelling. I used crutches for four months and was not allowed to put weight on my injured leg until I could straighten it. I did get full funcxtion of my knee back.
I injured myself in Canada and had Ontario Health Insurance. I was thankful for that as the Physiotherapy was comprehensive. I think it was necessary and helped me regain complete function of my knee.