Will my knee ever be the same after ACL and meniscus surgery?

In some patients, their knee is not the same. In some patients, ten years later their knee is not the same. Some people do very well with ACL reconstruction surgery, some do very well with second or revision ACL surgery. Some do well with the third ACL reconstruction/revision surgery.

Will your knee ever feel the same after ACL surgery?

For the most part, patients' range-of-motion 10 years after surgery was the same as it had been two years after the operation. About 85 per cent of the 502 patients had a stable knee they could hop on.

Will my knee ever get better after ACL surgery?

You should soon start seeing improvement in your knee. You may be able to return to most of your regular activities within a few weeks. But it will be several months before you have complete use of your knee. It may take as long as 6 months to a year before your knee is ready for hard physical work or certain sports.

Does your knee come back stronger after ACL surgery?

Conclusion: An ACL graft after a reconstruction surgery is initially stronger, but over time becomes weaker, and eventually is almost as strong as your original ACL. These changes occur as a result of the body's natural reaction to the new ACL graft.

How long does it take to get full range of motion after ACL and meniscus?

Whether you need ACL surgery as the result of a sports injury or because of another type of accident, the recovery timeline is similar for most people. A full recovery, including the return to your pre-injury condition, with full range of motion and stability in the knee joint, usually takes six months.

What is the future of my knee 20 years after ACL surgery?

What not to do after ACL and meniscus surgery?

Don't work your quadriceps early on because this can stretch the ACL graft. Stationery bike riding or lightweight leg presses are recommended during the first three months after surgery. These exercises strengthen the quadriceps while using the hamstrings to protect the ACL graft. Don't swim or run for five months.

How long does stiffness last after ACL and meniscus surgery?

Of the 12 patients in the stiff cohort, stiffness resolved between 6 and 12 months post-operatively in seven cases. These patients did not have further intervention at 6 months as their ROM deficits were relatively minimal and functionally acceptable to the patient.

When is your knee the weakest after ACL surgery?

ACL grafts are weakest 5 to 12 weeks after surgery. You may feel stronger, but your knee is months from full recovery. Remain cautious.

Does ACL reconstruction last forever?

The surgical procedure is not a band-aid. Expect the new tendon to hold up for decades. To be safe, surgeons will inform patients of any complications to expect, regardless of age and activity.

Are you slower after ACL surgery?

Generally, those who successfully returned were above-average NFL players before their injury but relatively average after their return. In other words, after an ACL surgery, a Pro Bowl level defensive player regresses to the performance level of an average player and an average player drops below the NFL standard.

Why is my knee stiff 2 years after ACL surgery?

Arthrofibrosis, also known as “stiff knee syndrome,” occurs when excessive scar tissue forms around a joint, limiting range of motion and causing pain and disability. It can be a complication of knee replacement or anterior cruciate ligament surgery, with infections and bleeding as known contributing factors.

What are the cons of ACL surgery?

Cons: The chance of anterior knee pain is higher therefore less appropriate for anyone who has a profession which involves kneeling. Potential knee extension loss. Increased risk of post-operative complications: late patella fracture or patella tendon rupture, patella tendinitis.

Why does my knee hurt 1 year after ACL surgery?

ACL surgery can cause damage in many different parts of the knee. This damage can happen due to removing stem cells that the knee needs to stay healthy, damage to the ligaments that hold the meniscus in place, and damage to the knee tendons. These areas of surgery-induced damage can also cause pain after ACL surgery.

Will my knee hurt forever after ACL surgery?

ACL surgery will improve the stability of your knee and stop it giving way. You should be able to resume normal activities after 6 months. But your knee may not be exactly like it was before the injury. You may still experience some pain and swelling in the replacement ligament.

Can u further damage your knee after an ACL?

Unstable knee after ACL tears can lead to further knee damage. You are also less likely to return to the same level of sports without the ACL.

Does the knee feel unstable after ACL?

Knee instability can occur after a torn or ruptured ACL. If the ACL is torn, patients who experience anterior knee instability may need to treat the injury with a brace, physical therapy, rest, ice, and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

Can ACL repair after 20 years?

At the follow-up we found that even patients with stable knees after ACL reconstruction develop degenerative changes after 15–20 years, mostly mild, but in 16.5% the changes were severe.

What is the failure rate of ACL surgery?

Can ACL surgery fail? ACL surgery can fail, even in the best of circumstances. It is generally felt that a well-done ACL reconstruction has about a 5% chance of failure due to trauma. The most common cause of an ACL graft failure is a technical error with malposition of the original ACL reconstruction tunnels.

What problems can you have years after ACL surgery?

A third of people who undergo ACL reconstruction surgery will have osteoarthritis in their injured knee within 10 years.

Why is my knee still unstable after ACL surgery?

Instability in a knee that has been surgically corrected with a new ACL graft is being linked to secondary structures that might have been damaged during the initial incident that ruptured the ACL.

How long before I can bend my knee 90 degrees after ACL surgery?

Within 2-3 weeks you should achieve full knee extension and 90 degrees knee flexion.

When can I bend my knee 90 degrees after ACL surgery?

Knee flexion is restored more gradually, with about 90 degrees achieved at 1 week and full knee flexion gradually advanced and achieved by week 4-6.

How long does it take to fully bend your knee after meniscus surgery?

Meniscus (cartilage) Repair patients cannot do twisting, pivoting, squatting, deep knee bends or impact activities for four months. It is vital that meniscus repair patients do not squat for at least four months after the repair.

How hard is it to walk after ACL and meniscus surgery?

It may take 4-5 months for full healing. The patient should be able to bear weight on the knee while standing or walking, immediately after surgery. Crutches will be necessary for 2-7 days after surgery. Rehabilitation to gain full ROM should occur within 1-2 weeks.

How do you break up scar tissue in your knee?