Acl Recovery

Patients generally stay in the recovery room following surgery. Depending on the type of anesthetic that was used, it takes about one to two hours to recover enough to be able to sit up, eat some light food, use the bathroom (with crutches), and feel ready to go home.

Some surgeons prefer their patients remain in the hospital overnight. Other surgeons are happy for their patients to return home four to six hours after surgery. The nursing staff will educate patients about home medications and will give instructions about when to change the surgical dressing.

Your Physical Therapist

The physical therapist becomes an important part of the rehabilitation program. Rehabilitation begins immediately after surgery, which involves walking with crutches, contracting the thigh muscles, and attempting to lift the leg independently.

By working with the physical therapist, most patients are able to walk quite easily with crutches by one week after surgery. They are also able to lift their leg without assistance from a position lying on their back, and by the end of the second week after surgery can walk without crutches. The length a patient needs to wear a knee immobilizer following surgery will depend on the surgery and the preference of the surgeon.

Going Home

Even though many ACL surgeries are now done as outpatient procedures, the individual will not be able to drive home from the surgical center.

1.        Prior to leaving, education will be given by the nursing staff regarding pain control as well as care of the incisions.

2.        Crutch training (how to use crutches) will be done at that time or may have already been done before the surgery.

3.        Depending on the preference of the surgeon, weight bearing will usually be allowed.

4.        Crutches are usually needed for at least a week or two, with gradual progression to one crutch and finally to independent walking.

5.        Also depending on the surgeon's preference, a brace may or may not be used. Some surgeons prescribe a rehabilitation brace that is adjustable and can be locked in a straight position or set to allow a certain amount of movement. Sometimes, a brace that prevents all bending movements may be used. However in either case, the brace will normally be taken off for certain exercises.

Keeping Comfortable

Once at home, the treatment of RICE as discussed earlier, three to five times a day for 20 minutes each time, is recommended.

1.        Rest - Getting off the leg periodically throughout the day and resting the knee on pillows is recommended, to avoid excess postoperative swelling and pain.

2.        Ice - Placing a cold compress or ice pack around the knee controls pain and swelling.

3.        Compression - Carefully placing an ace wrap for compression around the knee is beneficial to control the swelling. Be careful that the wrap is not too tight to interfere with circulation to the lower leg.

4.        Elevation - Lying down with the knee in a cold compress and elevated higher than the level of the chest is helpful in controlling and reducing swelling.