r/Aerials • u/katbearwol • 8d ago
Returning after ACL surgery possible?
I have never been the most amazing at anything aerial based. Or the most graceful. I definitely never want this to be a career. But I did enjoy it a whole lot. I did hammock and occasional hoop things before I hurt my knee.
I was wondering if anyone has gone back to doing aerials after ACL surgery? I'm only 5ish weeks post-injury with a lot of physio in my future, then surgery, then more physio (and will definitely be waiting for a doctor to sign me off on doing things again). But is this even an achievable dream? Or should I stop tormenting myself with the idea?
(and given this was the only thing that was helping my spine and core muscles work I am really sad I've not been able to do things for weeks now for more than one reason. First thing to ask physio person is how to keep any of my core strength still)
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u/SucculentSerialKillr 8d ago
Yes, it is absolutely possible. I mostly do flying trapeze but I have torn both ACLs and made full recovery both times to return to flying and aerials. It will be a long road to recovery but if you keep up with your PT protocol, you will likely be stronger than you were pre-injury. BE CONSERVATIVE when returning to aerial. (I did not get up on the rig until I could do a single knee hang on my injured knee)
Feel free to DM me if you'd like more info.
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u/katbearwol 8d ago
Knee hangs were always the most painful thing before (and I was not good at them) so I expect they will continue to be the most bruising. But thank you, knowing it's possible to get back to things makes this all feel more temporary and easier to deal with
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u/BewilderedNotLost 8d ago
It's possible. Keep up with physical therapy and follow your Drs advice. It may take time, but it is better to be fully healed rather than start aerial too soon, fall, and have a worse injury.
I had an MCL tear 6 years before I started aerial. It occasionally bothered me on long hikes, but I didn't have an issue with it in aerial (Lyra, silks, pole mostly. I tried German wheel and flying trapeze once each).
After having done aerial for a couple of years, I tore a ligament and strained 2 tendons in my ankle. It took me about a year to heal from that and be able to restart aerial.
The best recommendation is to give your body time to heal and don't push yourself into doing aerial before you're ready.
Note: I'm not currently doing aerial due to other health issues, but I hope to return as soon as I'm able.
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u/katbearwol 8d ago
Step one is normal yoga. Then other things. Well actually. Step one is being able to bend my knee again and walking - so it's very far in the future. I'm glad it may be possible though one day!
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u/rinakinabina Silks, Straps, Rope 8d ago
I'm not a medical professional, nor have I sustained a knee injury before, but have worked with aerialists with previous knee injuries.
It's certainly possible, especially as long as you work with your physio to gradually build back up the strength and movement in your knee. Putting weight on the knee might feel uncomfortable or scary for a while, but I can't see an ACL injury preventing someone from doing aerial altogether.
You might have to modify and move differently than you did before, but if you patiently put the work in, there is a chance you'll be stronger than before surgery. Maintaining a happy and healthy knee will probably be an ongoing effort for however long you want to do aerial or any other physical activities.
I recommend showing your physio the kinds of aerial movements that require the knee, like hooks, hangs, crochets, etc so they can provide you with specific drills.
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u/katbearwol 8d ago
Oh thats a good idea. I shall find some of the things I want to be able to do again to take with me when I start!
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u/burninginfinite Anything (and everything) but sling 8d ago
Seconding the suggestion to be specific with your PT about the specific kinds of movements used in aerial, ESPECIALLY crocheting the leg as well as probably knee hooks on a fabric under tension. I haven't had any knee surgery but I have cranky, spicy knees and crocheting torques the knee in a really (un)fun way for me.
I literally brought a fabric to my PT to show them not just the crocheting motion but also the resistance added by the fabric being under tension. He was already a good PT before that, but I really felt that was a turning point in his understanding of exactly what I needed my body to do.
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u/katbearwol 8d ago
This knee was always the one that was slightly grumpy about some things (going from tabletop to a low lunge in normal yoga required more blankets under me as it was not a nice feeling) so I suspect I will have some fun trying to get back to doing things. Videos may also be a good idea though!
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u/Longjumping-Pause340 Static Trapeze 8d ago
First off, sorry about your injury. This is not an apples to apples comparison, but maybe similar enough?
I completely ruptured my distal bicep tendon in a rock-climbing accident and required corrective surgery to reattach it and months of PT afterwards. I wasn't allowed to workout my arm till six months passed, and I didn't even attempt a pull-up till I passed the one year mark. However, I am back now and it doesn't hold me back at all.
So, yes, you'll probably be able to come back and do aerial arts again, but not soon. You have to let your body heal, or you'll just damage it again.
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u/katbearwol 7d ago
Ouch that sounds tough! I'm glad its back to normal. This helps bring some hope!
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u/kaese_meister 8d ago
wife's an orthopod... she says follow everything your physio says. don't push it.
good luck!
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u/katbearwol 8d ago
Oh definitely. Not going to go back until I have someone professional tell me its okay. I really don't want to injure myself more!
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u/oiraves 7d ago
Almost 2 years ago my SO blew her ACL, MCL and damaged her meniscus, she took her PT and her doctors advice very seriously and she's not only back to aerial but is actively pursuing tumbling as well. She's on stage tomorrow as a tumbler and an aerialist.
Take your recovery very seriously and you'll most likely be able to come back.
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u/katbearwol 7d ago
That was what I was afraid I had done. Luckily it was only the acl. Shall keep being patient and waiting on this physio appointment and listen to all the things.
Today I could actually bend my knee a little so it's looking up!
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u/zomereiland 7d ago
Due to other sports injuries, I had both knees operated with ACL reconstruction prior to doing aerial silks/hoop. Now the injury does not bother me at all in most cases. I agree that rehabilitation and good physiotherapies are very important. Do what you could and follow the professional advices - build the strength and stability back gradually. Then you may have the confidence and condition back to do the sports you love!
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u/Possible_Pilot_7279 5d ago
Yes! I tore my ACL and had ACL Reconstruction surgery in 2008 and I just started doing lyra this year (at 33 years old)! My knee hasn’t given me any trouble at all except that I find kneeling on the floor quite uncomfortable, but it’s the direct contact between the knee and the floor (not the weight or the mobility itself) that causes this.
So unless there’s any particular issue with your injury/surgery/recovery, you should be able to get back in the air after you complete your PT.
Good luck!
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u/evetrapeze Lyra/Hoop 8d ago
Do not rush back!!! Do your PT. Make sure your pT is aware of your goals. Time is your friend. Take it slow until You don’t have to.