What should I avoid before ACL surgery?

Limit or stop using things such as caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol in the weeks leading to surgery. Take certain nutritional supplements — such as multivitamins, vitamin C, and zinc — before surgery. These help promote wound healing during post-op recovery.

How do I prep my knee for ACL surgery?

How do I prepare for ACL recovery?

Is it good to walk before ACL surgery?

ACL Walking Normally Tip 9 – Pre-surgery preparation

ACL prehab exercises will help rebuild strength and restore range of motion leading into your operation and help improve your recovery outcomes after surgery.

Should I bend my knee before ACL surgery?

Restoring knee range of motion should be one of your primary goals prior to ACL surgery. 1 If your knee is bending and straightening fully before surgery, it is likely to quickly recover full ROM after surgery.

ACL tear treatment - Is it possible to avoid surgery and further knee damage?

How long after ACL surgery can you shower?

You may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery, if your doctor okays it. When you shower, keep your bandage and incision dry by taping a sheet of plastic to cover them. It might be best to get a shower stool to sit on. If you have a brace, only take it off if your doctor says it's okay.

How soon after ACL surgery can you walk?

It's important to start walking within a day or two after ACL surgery, but only a little. Walking for a minute or two can help reduce swelling, but you shouldn't walk any more than that. After two weeks, you can start walking around unassisted without crutches for short periods of time.

What is the quickest ACL recovery time?

An ACL tear recovery time is generally eight to nine months, though some people may recover in six months.

How long will I be on crutches after ACL surgery?

You should start physical therapy as soon as possible after surgery. How long will I be on crutches? Most likely, you'll use crutches for about a week, then switch to a cane for two weeks. Keep in mind that this varies depending on the extent of the injury and your recovery.

How soon can I drive after ACL surgery?

If it is your left knee, you can resume driving when you feel your reaction times are back to normal (typically 1 week). If it is your right knee, usually allow driving 4-6 weeks after surgery.

What hurts the most after ACL surgery?

Kneecap pain (patellofemoral pain) is the scourge of ACL rehabilitation. Sometimes the kneecap is damaged with the original injury but more often than not, the kneecap pain is a secondary event because of tightness of the tissues on the outer half of the knee and weakness of the quadriceps which develops after surgery.

What do I need at home after ACL surgery?

You may need to wear special support stockings to help prevent blood clots from forming. Your provider will also give you exercises to keep the blood moving in your foot, ankle, and leg. These exercises will also lower your risk for blood clots. You will need to use crutches when you go home.

How long do you sleep after ACL surgery?

You need to sleep with your brace locked in extension for the first two weeks. You will discontinue the brace once you have full ROM and good quadriceps control. This usually occurs between 4 and 6 weeks post-op.

What do you wear after ACL surgery?

You must use your functional knee brace. Continue to use your functional knee brace during athletic activity for at least 12 months after surgery. You may discontinue the brace under instruction from your surgeon.

What clothes do you wear after ACL surgery?

Dress comfortably — Wear loose pants or other clothing that will fit comfortably over your knee bandage when you leave the hospital.

How painful is ACL surgery?

Most people have some surgery-related pain and discomfort for the first week or so. Not surprisingly, pain from knee surgery decreases with time. By the end of a week or two at the most, you should have very little discomfort. Swelling and bruising are also relatively common, and like discomfort, they're temporary.

How many hours is ACL surgery?

The procedure usually takes less than two hours. It will require an incision to remove a tendon if you are undergoing an autograft, in which a tendon from another part of your body is inserted in your knee.

Can you be alone after ACL surgery?

It would be most helpful to have someone living with or near you for the first 3-5 days. This is very important for your safety and health that you have around-the-clock care. If you have pets, especially dogs, consider boarding them for a few days.

Do I need to sleep with my leg straight after ACL surgery?

You can sleep on your back or side. Do not rest your knee with a pillow/towel under. It is very important to keep your knee straight. You will need a walking aid after your operation as you are likely to have a reduced weight-bearing (partial weight-bearing) capacity through your operated leg for two weeks.

How much does ACL surgery cost?

If you have health insurance, it will cost you $800 to $3,000. This cost includes hospital admission fees, post-surgical visits to the doctor, and other expenses that may come along. However, the rest is covered by the insurance company. People without medical coverage have to part with a lot of money.

Will my knee ever be the same after ACL surgery?

This means that an ACL reconstruction surgery can get your knee to very close to perfectly healthy, but it will still never be quite as healthy as it was before the actual injury.

What should I do the first week after ACL surgery?

What happens after 24 hours of ACL surgery?

Rest and elevate your leg (above the level of your heart if possible) for the first 24 hours by placing a pillow under your calf and/or ankle. Do NOT place a pillow under your knee as it will keep you from straightening your knee. POSSIBLE. Start physical therapy (PT) within the first week after surgery.

What not to do after ACL surgery?

Can I sleep on side after ACL surgery?

Sleep in whatever position makes you comfortable after ACL surgery. Within the first few weeks, sleeping on either your back or side is commonly considered to be the most comfortable position. These two sleeping positions are options to try in the first instance and see what works best for you.