ACL tear #2 - diary of my second reconstruction journey

Hey everyone,

I wanted to start a running journal here as I go through my second ACL tear — partly to process it, partly in case it helps someone else who's staring down the same road.

Some background: My first ACL tear was in 2007, when I was 16. Tore the ACL, then the meniscus shortly after. Both got repaired surgically (ACL sutured, meniscus sutured), and six months later I re-tore the meniscus, which ended up being partially removed.

From then until 2026 that knee was completely solid. I played ice hockey, football, lifted weights, you name it. Zero issues.

Then, 2026 I was playing in the Street Hockey World Championship. Sudden stop, slight contact with another player, heard a pop and felt something wrong immediately. I knew right away something had happened. I had pain, could still put weight on it but only lightly, and the knee swelled up fast.

Days 1–2: Stopped playing obviously, waited to see how it would develop. Swelling kept getting worse until I couldn't bend the knee without pain.

Day 2: Went to a hospital (this happened in Czechia). X-ray showed nothing, various stability tests in all directions seemed okay. The main issue was the swelling.
They aspirated the knee and drained 100+ ml of fluid, which honestly felt amazing immediately after bending got noticeably easier.

Days 2–6: On crutches, still painful to bear weight fully.

~2 weeks post-injury: Walking without crutches now. Still some instability, especially going down stairs. Cycling is pain-free, walking is pain-free.

~3 weeks post-injury: MRI + ortho appointment. Confirmed: ACL is torn. Now waiting on a date for surgery.

Given I've been through this once before as a teenager, it's a strange feeling being back here as a 34-year-old. Curious how recovery compares this time around.

Will keep updating this thread as I go through surgery and rehab.

Happy to answer questions from fellow ACL folks in the meantime.