The first 12 month with ACL tear

During the study abroad, I was careful about the knee, but still didn't take it seriously. I played basketball and did rowing. I even jogged for 2-3 days a week for a month in Paris.

I even played football (soccer) with some locals in Amsterdam during my roadtrip in Europe. I had a chance to play football(soccer) for the first time in a football crazy country and couldn't refuse the offer when some locals whom we had befriended there asked me. So, I just packed my knee with two layers of bandage and went to the field. While we were getting ready, I told my road trip mate that I shouldn't with my knee. Anyway, I started cautiously, but soon after scoring a goal became aggressive and hurt my knee again. As I was the only driver, I drove all the way back to Paris driving a manual car. Luckily or me my trouble knee was left knee and if I anticipated well, I didn't have to use clutch much on the highway.

After coming back from Paris, I gave up on all forms of physical activities and became more conscious of my knee and protected it. In Sept 2005, I got another MRI done and the prognosis was that I had arthritis. My doctor said that I was too young to have arthritis and it was just that the bone against bone has led to wear on my bone.

The second opinion was with Dr Bach, on recommendation from one of my doctor friend. His analysis was that the rest of my muscles are compensating for the knee and hence it is stable. I could lead a non active lifestyle with this knee and will not need a surgery. But, if I wanted an active lifestyle, I should get a surgery done.

As I was traveling to India, I postponed the surgery to after the India trip and then I had to go to London, so the surgery got delayed indefinitely.