• An ACL recovery, honestly told
The way back to moving freely.
A personal journal of surgery, small wins, and finding my footing again. By Ryan Hogue.
The person behind the journal
One knee.
A whole new perspective.
I’m Ryan. A volleyball injury changed my plans. Sharing what came next gave the experience a purpose.
I tore my ACL and damaged my meniscus in December 2012. After reconstruction in May 2013, I began keeping this journal for anyone facing a similar experience — with pictures and honest notes from day one, through months of rehab, to a four-year check-in.
Ryan Hogue · Author & fellow patient
The recovery timeline
Every stage has a story.
Follow my experience from the operation to the years that followed. These are my milestones, not a recovery schedule.
- 01 / The beginning
Surgery day
The operation, the trip home, and my first steps.
- 02 / Finding a rhythm
The early weeks
First appointments and learning the rehab routine.
- 03 / The longer road
Month by month
Progress, frustrations, and everyday life.
- 04 / Perspective
Four years later
An honest look at life beyond the initial recovery.
The first steps after surgery
My recovery journal begins with the day of surgery: getting home, finding a comfortable position, and taking those first steps.
Read this chapter ↗Working the leg, waiting on the swelling
Training at least four days a week and stretching daily, with the knee finally straightening out faster — but still swollen.
Read this chapter ↗The longer view
A four-year follow-up: what I learned about grafts, scar tissue, and living with a knee that is better, but not forgotten.
Read this chapter ↗From the journal
Notes from the recovery.
Read the original journal ↗
The first steps after surgery
My recovery journal begins with the day of surgery: getting home, finding a comfortable position, and taking those first steps.
Learning to move again
My physical therapy sessions focused on movement, strength, and understanding the work ahead.
The longer view
The story continued well beyond the early milestones. I returned to share an honest four-year follow-up.
Beyond the milestones
The small things. The everyday work.
The appointments only tell part of the story. My journal also follows the routines, questions, and everyday moments in between.
Explore my original rehab notes ↗
Personal experience. Follow your own care team’s guidance.
Before you dive in
A few things to know.
Whose recovery is this?
Mine. This is one person’s experience after ACL reconstruction in May 2013. Yours will be different — follow your own surgeon and physical therapist.
Where should I start reading?
Begin with surgery day and move forward one chapter at a time, or jump to the month that matches where you are.
Is this a rehabilitation plan?
No. The exercises page shows what I was given, but it is not medical advice or a prescription.
Can I see the original recovery photos?
Yes — the image gallery has photos from day one onward. Some are graphic.
More questions about ACLs?
See the full FAQ, or visit the Knee Surgery ACL forum.
Free checklist
The ACL post-op must-haves.
Get my short list of what to have at home before surgery — and the stage of recovery each item is for. Sent straight to your inbox.
No spam, unsubscribe any time. See the privacy policy.
One person’s story, shared with you.
A little perspective.
For the road ahead.
Start at the beginning. Take it one chapter at a time.
Explore my recovery