I had a 40% torn ACL (+LCL) a few years back. Doctor said it should be fine after some rehab, just avoid any twisting and increase ROM slowly. Impact training only after 3-4 months. I did my rehab and and less than a year later actually hit new PRs in snatch and squats. And rolling was fine too, like nothing ever happened. Less than a year ago, when I tore the meniscus on that same knee, doc looked at the ACL/LCL too and it was completely healed. This is just my personal experience with knee injuries and surgery, but I'd say try to rehab and 'prehab' the knee and train smart to allow time to heal. That said, doctors actually know what they're talking about and are usually smart, so I'd listen to them. :D

How bad is the ACL tear op? Usually when you use the word rupture it means a complete tear. I'd go with option 2 ... yeah the recovery is long but worth it. I've had both my ACLs reconstructed. You need the added stability when it's a full tear ... or alternatively have seriously strong quads and hamstrings to compensate for the rest of your life. If you are willing to give up on Judo/Wrestling and just train half guard for the rest of your life, option 1 might be good enough, but yeah, forget about every running down stairs etc.

the 40% torn ACL+LCL was completely healed from rehab only? no surgery? fantastic! care to share to details on your rehab protocol?

Looking back at a surgey with hindsight. I remember being so stressed out when I needed to have my first surgery back in 2021. And scouring the internet for people with similar injuries to know what to expect, even sent a few DMs on here, thanks to those who answered back then! My right knee had been bothering me for a long time back then, first MRI and doctor checks I was told it was normal wear and tear of the meniscus from age... One day doing ippon-seoi drills my knee buckled under the weight of someone barely heavier than me whom I had never had problem lifting. knee was locked, very reduced range of motion. we did some rehabilitation, but the doctor recommended 'arthroscopic partial meniscectomy' Arthro-: Joint -scopic: observing Meniscus: C-shaped cartilage in the knee -ectomy: Surgical removal arthroscopy is the 'minimally invasive surgery' whereby they open 3 small holes. It works as advertised, 3 years later and I cannot identify where they cut. Surgery went great, after 6 weeks I was back on the mats doing light drills after another few weeks I was rolling normally. now it's been 3 years and if I were to lose my memory I wouldn't be able to tell there ever was something wrong with that knee. 10/10 for 'arthroscopic partial meniscectomy', would recommend. my level of fear and stress before that minor operation was irrational. now this 3 years old story is top of mind for me because the same thing is happening on my left knee! fml lol I most recently hurt my knee while visiting Kyoto, and running down the stairs to catch a metro, after a long of walking (25,000 steps) and training BJJ (Carpe Kyoto, thanks for hosting). Thankfully I didn't fall, but as I was running down and laterally, I could feel my knee buckle and compress, the pain from the swelling the next day was unbearable. MRI (by the way, Japan has the highest ratio of MRI machines per citizens, by far, of any country in the world) I had checked this knee 6 months ago because it bothered me already... #1 source of injury in any sporst is a previous injury so the doctors have 2 MRIs 6 months apart to compare 1. Bucket-handle tear of the medial meniscus (new) 2. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture (more distinct than before) 3. Mild injury to the lateral meniscus (new and more prominent than before) 4. Mild injury to the medial collateral ligament and medial patellar retinaculum (new) 5. Enlarged Baker's cyst 6. Increased joint fluid 7. Mild injury to the anterior section and anterior root of the lateral meniscus (new) quite the list... I need to choose between : 1) only 'arthroscopic partial meniscectomy' on the meniscus, main problem 2) also try to repair the ACL (In Japan they take part of some ligaments from the harmstring or ...shin?). much more invase surgery. #1 I'd probably recover again within 2 months #2 it would take 6 months plus, and if successful, lead to a more stable knee but some doctors recommend that it might be better to keep to #1 and do extra work on rehabiliation and strenghtening all the muscle chains to reduce the stress on the knee injuries happen we can get through this cheers to all my fellow grapplers struggling or having struggled with those setbacks