O-FISH-L now 1 yr since ACL/MCL cadaver replacement and meniscus work. Both ACL and & MCL were fully torn off last Jan 28.
Doc did a good, maybe great job. I get the feeling that ACL/MCL replacements are very common these days - don;t think its that special anymore.
Not sure if it needs more than 'Surgeon who has done many', with some awareness that you ARE a SKIER and plan TO SKI AGAIN!
I was up and about in a few days, with crutches, riding the bike in about 3 weeks (as soon as I could get the knee to allow the pedal to go over the top)
skiing and skating proving to be the most stressful, cycling, hiking and such are mostly fully normal.
I iced a lot and still ice after heavy use.
Highly recommend an 'ice machine', I have this one -
https://www.ossur.com/injury-solutions/products/cold-therapy/cold-rush-device
miraculous!
wearing brace whileskiing - it helps some... but what is the biggest issue are the micro-jolts the knee gets from going over the skiing surface. Depending snow conditions, my day can be 'done' in 4 hours of ski time - if I push for 'bell to bell', it will require heavy icing for most of the evening til bedtime.
Surgeon 'cleaned up' both side of my menicus, because he said it looked really bad from decades of abuse...
Rethinking that now, I would have asked he leave the meniscus alone, because I had no issues with it before the surgery.
I've always been a stickler about 'technique', but now I'm totally anal about staying centered and neutral with good separation.
I did love working the tails hard in turn completion - no longer.
Carving feels better, hurts less than smearing... Bumps are still actually fun, IF I find the right speed to match the bump line.
I'm encouraged that this past 3 days felt way better than the first 3 days of this season. I'm hopeful that next season will feel way better...
if I live that long... LOL!
good luck with repair and recovery!
EDIT: as noted by others - I use a compression knee brace under the structural brace, I think the compression is the most important and works to keep all the parts in proper orientation. Helps keep the swelling in check and really reduces the shock into the joint. The structural brace really doesn't do much in those aspects. I use it because it isn;t really a hinderance, so if it helps or proves to be a saviour - all good.