What is the future of my knee 20 years after ACL surgery?

I created the Active Life Orthopedics Guides to help the people I can't see in my practice — practical guidance on recovering from orthopedic injuries and conditions — from a triple-board certified orthopedic surgeon — so you can get back to the active life you love. New titles releasing throughout 2026. 📚 Explore the series: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Dr.-Dav... If you suffer an injury when you’re young, how will it affect your body and your function years later? In this Ask Dr. Geier video, I discuss the likely effects on a torn ACL years after ACL surgery. http://challenge.drdavidgeier.com/sf/... When it comes to an ACL injury, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. But if you take a moment to tell me about your situation, I can give you the #1 thing you need to do next to overcome your ACL injury, designed specifically for YOU (absolutely free). Click the link above! https://www.drdavidgeier.com/exercise... Click the link above for more information about ACL surgery and other resources for your sports or exercise injury. Get The Serious Injury Checklist FREE! How can you know if your injury should get better in a few days or if it's more serious? This checklist can help you plan your next step to recover quickly and safely. http://www.sportsmedicinesimplified.com Please note: I don't respond to questions and requests for specific medical advice left in the comments to my videos. I receive too many to keep up (several hundred per week), and legally I can't offer specific medical advice to people who aren't my patients (see below). If you want to ask a question about a specific injury you have, leave it in the comments below, and I might answer it in an upcoming Ask Dr. Geier video. If you need more detailed information on your injury, go to my Resources page: https://www.drdavidgeier.com/resources/ The content of this YouTube Channel,    / drdavidgeier   (“Channel”) is for INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The Channel may offer health, fitness, nutritional and other such information, but such information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. This content should not be used to self-diagnose or self-treat any health, medical, or physical condition. The content does not and is not intended to convey medical advice and does not constitute the practice of medicine. YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON THIS INFORMATION AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR, NOR DOES IT REPLACE, PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT. You should consult with your healthcare professional before doing anything contained on this Channel. You agree that Dr. Geier is not responsible for any actions or inaction on your part based on the information that is presented on the Channel. Dr. David Geier Enterprises, LLC makes no representations about the accuracy or suitability of the content. USE OF THE CONTENT IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. Mahendra asks: My ACL was completely torn 6 months ago. Now I am fit again and back to baseball and 6 days of intense workouts per week. I can manage them without problem. If I continue this way, is my knee going to give me problems in my 40s or 50s (now I am 27)? If you suffer a torn ACL, you might wonder whether you should have surgery. Part of your concern undoubtedly centers around your desire to return to sports, exercise, work or school. It’s also worth considering your function and quality of life in the future. In this video, I discuss ACL injuries and ACL surgery. I explain the chances of developing arthritis 20 and 30 years later if you have surgery and if you don’t. I also discuss realistic expectations for exercise and other physical activity in the future. If you have suffered a torn ACL, watch the video to learn my perspective on your ability to exercise and play sports years after ACL surgery.