Can I windsurf with a torn ACL?

From: Mike Eglington (meglin@leland.Stanford.EDU-DeleteThis)
Date: Fri Aug 18 1995 - 15:48:22 PDT


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Date: Fri, 18 Aug 1995 15:48:22 -0700 (PDT)
From: Mike Eglington <meglin@leland.Stanford.EDU-DeleteThis>
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To: rec.windsurfing@leland.Stanford.EDU-DeleteThis, wind_talk@opus.hpl.hp.com-DeleteThis
Subject: Can I windsurf with a torn ACL?
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Sorry if it is not netiquette to ask this sort of question, but it's a
real bummer, and advice from a proficient windsurfer with personal
experience or medical knowledge might help get me on the water sooner, or
keep me off the water and prevent me from doing further damage.

So the deal is I just got the results of an MRI on my right knee: the ACL
ligament is torn, the MCL ligament has a grade 2 strain, and there is some
bone and meniscus cartilage bruising. Apparently I may need have to have
reconstructive surgery to fix the ACL; I will be speaking to my doctor on
Tuesday.

Does this mean my windsurfing season is over? It has been 3 weeks since
the injury (rugby) and I have windsurfed a few times since then, but in
light (6.0) conditions (because that was all there was). Until now, I was
under the impression that I had a meniscus cartilage tear, now that I know
that it is the ACL I am hesistant to windsurf this weekend. Obviously I
will be careful: I'll avoid jumping, and stick to up and down stuff and
practicing gybes, but I have horrors about getting by foot caught in a
footstrap when I gybe or fall. Anybody got experience or advice (no
liability of course)?

Anybody had their ACL reconstructed? How long until you were sailing
again?

Finally, I would be interested to know if anyone thinks this question is
appropriate/inappropriate.

Thanks

Mike

Michael L. Eglington
meglin@leland.stanford.edu-DeleteThis
Tel: (415) 497-2316



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