Post ACL reconstruction

[SweetJem]

I had ACL reconstruction last friday 8/27. So i'm about 4 days post-op. It was outpatient. I was in a lot of pain that night i came home from the hospital coz I was so nauseated and throwing that I didnt want to take my pain meds. I should know better coz I'm a nurse.

The next day was better. Walking with crutches and getting around pretty well. There's still some swelling and stiffness. Using the CPM machine 2 hours a day. My doctor actually wants me to mvoe my leg from 0 degrees to 90 degress flexion which is still kinda hard coz of the swelling and stiffness. I know its only been 4 days post-op but I hope the swelling and stiffness will go away soon. I just have to be patient, according to my sister, coz I think i'm expecting a lil too much too soon. But so far I'm doing okay.

[Heidi]

Thats great!
Yes keep moving it as much as possible. This will help with decreasing the swelling too and you'll soon find you get get 90 degrees of flexion.
Are you doing other exercises too? Like quad contractions or straight leg raises?
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/knee/anteriorcruciate.htm

[SweetJem]

Not yet Heidi.
It's still kinda hard for me to do the leg raises, its still pretty weak. Ive been doing ankle pumps thats pretty much it. and Ive been getting up a lot lately.

And now there's some bruising behind my knee. And If i'm not mistaken that's normal.

[Heidi]

Yes thats fine, I wouldn't worry about that.
Try to just contract the quad muscles too (keeping the leg still with the knee straight). Hold for 5 seconds, rest for 5 and repeat 10 times. This will help prevent wasting and to reduce swelling.

[SweetJem]

Thanks Heidi. I will try that today.

And i woke up today with not a lot of pain. Woohoo!!

[Sophie Hart]

Heidi, you have so much information related to different injuries, I’m keenly interested to know the after effects of ACL reconstruction for the sake of my own knowledge.

[maryehillcpc]

What was the symptoms of your ACL injury

[Heidi]

An ACL recon requires a rehab period of around 6-9 months and so anyone undergoing this surgery should be fully committed to this to get the best out of it!
The rehab protocol varies slightly depending on the graft used to reconstruct the ligament - usually either hamstring or patella.
For more on ACL recon's look here: http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/knee/anterior_cruciate_ligament/acl_surgery.php