I had my ACL replaced in 1993. Recovery was much longer then, 4-6 months. I tore it playing soccer. It messed up one season of my college career. It's all good now. The cuts were not so small back then. They took my patellar tendon and used it to make the ACL. I'm all good today. Don't feel a thing. My muscle structure was a little different on the outer thigh though. I stay in decent shape riding mountain bikes. I can run pretty well, 6 minute 45 second mile out of nowhere about 2 years ago, but I don't like running.