Blog for Roger Smith
"Do I have to have ACL surgery?"
I got an interesting question yesterday from a friend. "Do I have to get my ACL repaired?" he asked. The answer is yes, no, maybe....it all depends.
There are plenty of example of star athletes playing their sport without an ACL in one or even both knees. John Elway is the one I always remember. He played 16 seasons without an ACL in his left knee. Played pretty well too. (Go Broncos! 
)
That example aside, if you're an active person and plan to stay active, you'll probably want to consider repairing your ACL. Without an ACL, your knee becomes less stable and without the proper muscle support around the knee (which most of us don't have) you become much more susceptable to further injury and/or increased wear and tear to that knee.
The medical advances that have come about since Elway tore his ACL years ago also mean that the success rates of ACL repairs are much higher, the rehab time is much shorter and costs are lower.
My advice (I'm a physical therapist) is to at least discuss it with an orthopedic surgeon. Be honest about your future plans and activity level and make an informed decision together.
The information on this site is purely informational and may not pertain to your specific ailment. It should not be taken in lieu of a doctor's advice!
