Now, I know what I"m going to say is **NOT** popular. but ... in total honesty, it's true.
While you are confining him OR while he's recouperating -- you might consider a *low* protein diet -- just make up the rest of the % with mashed/cooked veggies (and I tell you, you probably won't have a problem with anal glands either).
Give a dog a super high protein diet and trying to limit their physical response is like giving them rocket fuel with no way to burn it off.
I'm never the queen of the high protein diets -- and I know everyone thinks I'm crazy but it is a *TREND* ... and historically my experience with dogs just doesn't bear it out.
I'm *not* advocating grain. I'm advocating veggies -- not super pureed either. I literally cook and mash them with a potato masher to incorporate them. Today it's white potato, sweet potato, green beans, collard greens, broccoslaw and tomato with basil & oregano. Also an acorn squash and carrots I already have. (lots of anti-oxidants -- that's mostly my aim)
I get nice, solid normal poop on all 4 dogs, and everything digests fully. I peel nothing, but I cut up the potato only enough to keep the pieces of skin small enough to cook and break down well. Becca Shouse swears by a food processor (and I just plain hate them -- that's all in what works well in your kitchen and your right/left shoulder)
But reducing the protein *will* reduce his excessive energy.
Then -- you can do stuff like Hylands Calms Forte -- you can do 2 tablets 2-3 times a day -- and it will help take his edge off no matter what you have to do.
You can add 2 valerian or passionflower capsules twice a day (you can combine those two no problem) and again -- it will help keep him a bit more relaxed.
Those are *not* gonna be habit-forming but will help you keep him under control more easily without frustration than you'd otherwise find.
Now after, you can go back to feeding whatever you like, but while he's having to stay sedentary (whether it's healing or just restricted) it should help.
As far as the surgery -- I'm not sure there is a "win/win" scenario. It's just plain not unusual for a dog to wind up having to have both knees done. not always - depends on the dog and what happened in the first place.
I have no chapter/verse on this, but I *have* heard vets say (in seminars) that you might just as well do a surgery to "repair" because ACL tears typically just plain don't heal well. Once it's torn it's weak forever -- and it tends to be that the personality of the dog may simply ensure that they're going to ram around and tear it.
I also think (and this is my own personal observation) that often it *is* the more rambunctious dogs that do this, and by the time someone rests them for a couple of months -- but usually doesn't make any changes to try to lessen the dog's energy or how they expend their energy) then by the end of the rest period the dog is SO anxious to go ramming around again then *BLAM* they get hurt right away again. It's almost a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Same thing wlhen a dog has been cooped up (much against their nature) to heal from a surgery and then once again -- once the restriction is lifted they get a week or two to regain their muscle and BLAM -- they think they can tear around and DO, and they rip the other one.
You aren't going to change a no-holds barred rambunctious dog. But if I were you I'd try even some diet changes ... and maybe more stuff like different activities to wear him out.
A thot for you -- you don't have to go all the way to the mega trained "certified" therapy dog stage -- but even doing stuff like taking him to a nursing home to visit -- in total honesty that is WAY WAY WAY more energy expending than you'd believe. It's typical that when my dogs get back from ANY pet therapy they are zoned for a while. It's not hugely athletic -- but it IS a huge challenge for the mind. Dealing with new people and situations -- trying hard to **be GOOD** -- frankly it's awesome how it wears them out. Obviously you can't do that until after he's healed -- BUT it would be a good alternate activity for him that is less likely to rip/tear some part of his anatomy and it might help expend more energy than you'd believe.
*YOU* are busy -- so it's not like I expect you to just suddenly grow a 2d life -- but it may help.
Even some isometric stuff -- like maybe putting ALL his meals in a kong if you don't already do that (agan -- I know -- more work) but making him work harder -- even in his crate -- to get his supper eaten -- it can help you.
You're more than welcome to slap me silly if you think I'm nuts here -- but in the long haul it might help.