The Irish Mitsubishi FTO Owners Club

Just wanted to know have any of ye done your Cruciate and if so how long did it take before you were back to full health, My oldest lad has done his and has an opt on it at the end of the month, we were told that he would be fine after a few month's but that he could do it again once he take's up sports again + because he has done one so young that he could also do the one in the other leg, just said i would put it out there to see if ye knew anything about it .

Couple of my cousins have done damage to theirs and a few lads from home have damaged theirs too all from football, once the recovery time is adhered too with physio and proper recovery then a few months isn't unrealistic. Only thing is that it can be weak after, by going back too early or something like that. When you're young its hard to stay out of sports especially if the team are doing well and now that its summer too, but it'll do more damage than good to be running hard early on in the recovery.

I have constant problems with my knees esp after 25 years of rugby but I'm surprised to hear of someone so young doing their cructiate ligament. How did it happen as a matter of interest?

Best bet is to get it right before he goes back. Sport might be important to him now but its going to be much more so as he gets that bit older into the late teens and early twenties. Presume he'll be on crutches to start then light walking after a few weeks - then within 3 - 6 months he should regain full fitness if proper excerise regime is followed (relevant stretching, light excerise like squats, excercise ball etc and maybe some bike work).

Have you looked into alternatives? Apparently there are some core physio moves you can do to build up the muscle around the injury, one of the munster lads has opted for this.

optical illusion wrote:Have you looked into alternatives? Apparently there are some core physio moves you can do to build up the muscle around the injury, one of the munster lads has opted for this.

That's pretty old school - before the days of keyhole this used to be a big op with a 9 - 12 month recovery. The alternative was exactly as you suggest - build up the muscles around the knee joint. But this is only so effective and you'd have to wear a brace too - also in later life you'll have problems as the muscles deteriorate.


At his age surgery is the best option for the long term - the key to preventing any further problems is doing the rehab religiously and building some strength around the knee joint. Essentials include strong hamstrings along with the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis (the 2 muscles on the front of your quad that attach to the knee joint). Good luck

[quote="Myfeckin FTO"] How did it happen as a matter of interest?quote]
Playing Hurling he went to turn and just twisted the knee wasn't even anyone near him at the time, if he doesn't get the opt he will more than likely need a knee replacement in his late 20's if he keep's playing on it, the youngest that the doctor has done is 9 . My lad is 12 and love's sport of any kind, so thats why I want it done now when he is young and will hopefully get him back on track asap. Thank's for the info.

A friend of mine (30) damaged his there two weeks ago (football) was diagnosed last week. Was on crutches last time I saw him, not sure what the next step is.His name is JohnK as well, as it happens. Don't think I've heard of anyone as young as your son with that injury before.

Sports injuries are happening younger nowadays I think, its down to the hard training and a lot stricter regimes, a fella down home had his knees operated on at the age of 17, 3 weeks later he went and played a match for the school in the All Ireland final, makes no sense but thats what happens. Shouldnt have been allowed play but nobody stopped him. Cant see that working out well in the future.

Johnk wrote:

Myfeckin FTO wrote: How did it happen as a matter of interest

Playing Hurling he went to turn and just twisted the knee wasn't even anyone near him at the time, if he doesn't get the opt he will more than likely need a knee replacement in his late 20's if he keep's playing on it, the youngest that the doctor has done is 9 . My lad is 12 and love's sport of any kind, so thats why I want it done now when he is young and will hopefully get him back on track asap. Thank's for the info.

We had a skier who did it at 15 which I thought was pretty young at the time (12 is a whole new level) - this guy is now 22 and although he doesn't ski race anymore (thanks to a cracked vertebrae and 2 dislocated shoulders - all separate injuries over a couple of years) he is one of best downhill mountain bikers in the Alpes region of France so his knee recovered well.

It's a hard injury because of the recovery time but on the plus side, he's young so should heal fast. Getting a good surgeon aside, the most important thing is the rehab (a good physio is invaluable).

Think the surgeon in Waterford is the main man for those injuries, dont know his name but thats who anyone I know went to, and if they travel that far then he must be worth it. My father went there few months for a hip refurbishment and then a few weeks later for a knee op, and he had nothing but praise for him. Physio is so important though like Shane said, keeping to the right regime and not going too far too soon is vital.

There are only 3 surgeon's in Ireland that will do a child as young and the guy we are getting is ment to be the top 1 he is in the beacon hospital in Dublin, As the opt is not the same as for and adult, the Cruciate is reconstructed from a bit of the Hamstring.

Johnk wrote:There are only 3 surgeon's in Ireland that will do a child as young and the guy we are getting is ment to be the top 1 he is in the beacon hospital in Dublin, As the opt is not the same as for and adult, the Cruciate is reconstructed from a bit of the Hamstring.

Out of curiousity what's his name? Pm me if you prefer - I've a friend who's a consultant in the Beacon

Knee opt over and done with all went well, He has to ware a brace on the knee for 6 to 8 week's but he is up and about which is a good thing, He is still very sore and may need another opt in a few month's to remove the stable's in the knee if the start rubbing the knee cap on the inside but other than that he has no other damage Thank god

Glad to hear it - good luck with the recovery

Good stuff. Hope he has a speedy recovery.

Brace came off yesterday, they are very happy with everything,still no sport for 6-8 month's and no need he think's for another opt .

Have been in A&E again, hope to get an MRI asap, Think he may have Done it again, He is in a backslab which is like if he broke his leg so that he can't move the knee, It happen this time in school as he sat down and pull his chair in, in the classroom.

It's back again but this time it's my other son, hurt it in a hurling match and he's just gone 10 He also fractured his leg he got a slap of the hurley and that took his leg from under him in turn all the damage was done sometimes I wonder is sport worth it.

Bad luck John. What doesn't kill them makes them stronger! Good luck with the recovery.

Sh1te - thats a horrible dose John. I played hurling for years and its worse than rugby for injuries.
Still, don't let it put the lads off playing sport - at their age they should bounce back ok.

My lad fractured his ankle on Sunday He's 9

Those bloody tramampolines are death traps. On the bright side, I was only in hospital for 2 hours with him. Parking was free But the hospital fee was €100

Got a bit of good news today was up in Dublin and he doesn't need an opt just a lot of rest for 4 to 6 weeks and he should be good to go. It would take alot more to keep him away from sport he loves anything with a ball .

Delighted you got some good news out of that John. Just make sure you enforce the rest as much as possible and that eases himself back in gradually, or he could do more damage the next time. (Easier said than done I'm sure).