I'm so afraid that my hopes for Africa have been dashed. We have a trip to Tanzania planned and paid for in September. Last month, on the way to Amsterdam/Europe, I tore my ACL. We continued on, and managed to complete our trip, and are so glad we did, despite the fact we didn't get to do all the things we had planned, due to my limited mobility.

Anyway, I have ACL reconstructive surgery scheduled for Thursday (day after tomorrow), and am so afraid I won't be rehabilitated sufficiently to make our safari in September. I'm so disappointed, but will continue to live vicariously through this forum!!

At least I'll have lots of time to catch up on all the posts I missed while I was in Europe!!

Cheers to all...

so sorry about your misfortune. can you reschedule for next year? hoping you will make it to Africa someday and good luck with your surgery and rehabilitation!
Dennis

Nevermind,
I didn’t know what ACL was, so I looked it up
http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/acl...ctivities.html
I’d say that if you are not going trekking and climbing you should be rehabilitated enough for the safari, but I’m not exactly a doctor. I hope I’m right though.

Sorry to hear about your torn ACL. Are you going to cancel now or wait and see? Hope your surgery goes well.

Nyamera,
I only know what ACL is because one of my dogs tore his a few years ago and had to have reconstructive surgery. He was fully mobile in about 6 weeks, but I have no idea what the typical recovery period for humans is.

meant to say recovery. but i guess you would have some kind of rehabilitation also

Sorry if this appears again.

What does your doctor advise? The typical Tanzanian safari involves very little required activity. You could even reduce that by requesting a room/tent that minimizes walking.

Wishing you a speedy recovery and in the worst case, could you postpone one year?

As a person who had ACL surgery a couple of years ago,you should be fit to go on your safari in September.No heavy duty hiking ,however-which is not at all necessary on safari.Good luck and happy safari!

I wouldn't cancel yet. A friend had ACL surgery done at the beginning of March and she definitely could have gone on safari in 2-3 months. It was a ski accident and she said the doctors told her everything that could be torn up was. She did all the exercises required by the doctor (even though she cried like a baby because it hurt so bad). My ex-husband had a ski accident and ACL surgery a couple of years ago and he said he healed in about 2 months also (and he cried like a baby).

So good luck to you thru your surgery and rehab!

Please speak with your doctor. I had a friend who blew out her ACL in a skiing accident, and while she was on crutches after the surgery, she would have been able to go on safari two months after the surgery. You'll spend most of your safari time in the vehicle -- the only walking is from your lodge to the vehicle to the dining table and back; its the least taxing of holidays.

Please check with your physician before canceling and monitor your cancelation policy. If it was me, I'd go on the trip, even if there was a bit of discomfort -- better to be uncomfortable on safari than at home.

And don't hesitate to request wheelchair assistance at the airports (even in Tanzania); and you can find some real pretty collapsable (sp... it's late) canes - neon, stars/stripes, animals, etc. All fashionistas have at least one!!!

Of course, depending on what your doctors says, but safari can be the least exhausting travel one can take.

I'm sure all will go well with your surgery and you'll be back to yourself in time for your trip.

I'm very sorry about your ACL. Here's wishing a speedy recovery. As long as you didnt plan any walking safaris or a climb up kilimanjaro, you should be ok with jeep safaris. Sept is still a bit away. If your rehab involves stuff like therabands, stretching etc etc., you could carry them with you on the trip and do those exercises mid-afternoon in your tent.

I had a runner friend who had lots of knee issues and his therapist, said all issues were related to tight/weak quadriceps......he got better once he worked that out. Good luck!!!

Hari

And that is why you should be buying travel insurance.

Thank you for the encouraging comments. They have helped me feel so much more positive about the situation. I'll keep an optimistic outlook; and hopefully be ready for Africa in September! After all, how can I read trip reports and see pictures like andybiggs posted and not be inspired?

Nyamera, I've investigated hundreds of web sites about ACLs, and the one you posted is the best I've seen. It is comprehensive and informative. Thank you.

mkhonzo, we do have trip insurance (thank goodness), but it doesn't cover disappointment!

Happy travels and thanks to you all.

I am relieved to hear that, so all is not lost and you can begin to psyche yourself up for the next trip.

I am somewhat fatalistic in my approach and would take comfort knowing that things happen for a reason.

mkhonzo, my philosophy in life is that I follow the path as it unfolds before me (if that makes any sense). Like you, I try to believe that there is a reason for everything, and I make an effort to find some benefit or lesson in whatever comes my way. As my daughter puts it, "Make every kick in the butt a boost."

I'm sure that the reason for this set back will become apparent as time passes. If nothing else, I've found the comments on this thread have helped me. I'm going into surgery tomorrow with a good attitude and a determination to rehab quickly so I can go to Africa in September. If it doesn't work out, well then, it must be that I'm not meant to go this year.

Glad to hear that the surgery went OK and that you are in rehab. You will do just fine - and in September, Africa, watch out! Please keep us posted on the progress. I had my knee "scoped" many years ago so I feel your pain!

Like others, I think you'll be OK to go on safari, though I suspect you'll be more uncomfortable in the plane getting there than in the safari vehicle itself. In fact, it might be very uncomfortable if you are going economy.

Typical rehab period for ACL for a sportsperson is a full year minimum, but of course they can get around much sooner than that-- just can't return to full action. A couple of years ago, my son did all three ligaments in his knee, not just the ACL, and went through months of discomfort after reconstruction.

afrigalah, oh my, I can't even imagine 3 ligaments as your son had. What a difficult time he must have had.

I tore my right ACL (resulting in surgery) a couple of years ago, and had a very slow recovery period. This time, however, I seem to be doing much better. I guess each surgery is different.

My doctor said to remain positive about the trip. He said we may do a brace to stabilize/protect the knee, but he thinks that I'll be able to make the trip if things continue to go as well as they are now. In the meantime, I'm loving trip reports and pictures!!