Limitations of ACL ruptures?

Kent Brockman

I read on a forum recently (can't find the post now!) that Ricco Rodrigues was fighting MMA without his ACL :eek: Could this be true?

I had a complete rupture of ACL last year playing competitive soccer at the rripe old age of 40, and decided not to have the surgical repair but had 6 months physio to build all supporting bits and pieces.
I was advised to get a bike or a swimming hat lol! and to avoid contact sports as it would probably (but not definitely) end badly.

I know some GAA players have played without their cruciate ligaments with varying degrees of success.
Would love to do a bit of light Rolling BJJ to keep fit and have fun. If RR can fight MMA then its probably possible.:D

Jonah42

I've completely destroyed a ligament in my ankle from doing Judo. It happened a few months back, and while I'm not back training in grappling fully yet I'm determined not to let it hinder me and its so far so good. Back able to sprint now with no problems.

The ACL would be a lot more serious though, but with proper physio I'd say you'd be able for BJJ no problem.

pablohoney87

Like all injuries it depends on the severity. I had a complete rupture of my ACL PCL and miniscus platying rugby. I think the dooctor in the new batman film stole my docs line(Kinda), "the reason no tear in the ligament showed up is because there was practically no ligament left".
I definitely wouldnt have been able to do BJJ without the surgery. Every now and again the repaired miniscus pops out the side of my knee and im let limping a couple weeks but its rare (maybe once a year).
But shogun, shamrock, ricco, gsp, tito have all fought with torn ACL so its all relative. Even some footballers have played for months before getting the surgery like dennis irwin and roy keane (I'd say their top professional trainers and physio may be something to do with that though)

RoboRat

Its possible alright if you have big enough muscle mass in and around the knees to keep the joint compacted - You would need serious muscle mass though as the joints would move a lot causing cartilage damage if they are not compact enough.

Having got my ACL done and tried the entire work through it, I would get the operation done asap. I wasted over a year when I should have just done it. If you decide to get it done make sure you get them to use your hamstring and not your patella tendon. I wish someone gave me that advice before I had mine done.

RoboRat

Every now and again the repaired miniscus pops out

Lucky you... mine is constantly popping and I find I have to stretch my leg out to pop it back in... not ideal when you have worked your ass off to get into a good sub position only to have to let it go as your knee needs to pop!

Mine is so f***** it doesn't even hurt when it pops, its just uncomfortable.

pablohoney87

RoboRat wrote: »

Lucky you... mine is constantly popping and I find I have to stretch my leg out to pop it back in... not ideal when you have worked your ass off to get into a good sub position only to have to let it go as your knee needs to pop!

Mine is so f***** it doesn't even hurt when it pops, its just uncomfortable.

I was actually lucky mine was so bad in the long run. They did an open surgery on mine. anyone thats had the keyhole has had much more problems for a much less signifficant injury

RoboRat

Yep had open surgery on mine too, knee looked like zippy for a few weeks with 35 staples!