After undergoing ACL reconstruction surgery you will begin to encounter multiple challenges and obstacles that you may not have thought about, small chores will become difficult and everyday tasks may seem impossible, so in this post we will look at:
- Everything you can expect from week 1
- The list of exercises you may perform
So, let's begin.....
What to expect after ACL Reconstruction Surgery
Waking up from Surgery
- When you wake up after surgery you'll more than likely be hit with a barrage of pain and confusion. You'll be located in a recovery room with nurses and doctors around you monitoring your condition. PS ask the on call nurse for some pain killers if needed.
- Your Surgeon will probably check up on you the day after surgery, there the surgeon will inform you whether the surgery was successful or not. He or She may also show you some images and videos of the procedure.
- Then, a hospital physiotherapist will call to your room and fit you with a knee brace, they will also give you a set of exercises that you will be performing over the next few weeks.
- Believe it or not you are going to WALK, yes the physiotherapist will guide you with the aid of crutches down the corridor and up & down stairs. This is simply for the physiotherapist to see that you able to care for yourself and not at risk.
Heading Home
- Typically you will be staying over night after surgery, this is to allow the medical staff to check your vitals and make sure your recovering well. It also allows you to rest as the task of changing your clothes and going home will be difficult.
- Due to the seriousness of ACL reconstruction surgery you will not be able to drive your car or vehicle home, so you will need to arrange transportation from the hospital to your house. A friend or family member would be the best option here.
- Make sure that the car or vehicle is suitable to your needs. Your surgically repaired leg will be somewhat straight and will need plenty of room as to avoid any further harm.
- If the journey to your house is long, you may need some painkillers on hand to help ease any pain that you might be experiencing
Ice, Ice and more Ice
- Controlling the swelling in and around your knee will be your toughest test at this early stage as major trauma has been causes, in order to repair your ACL.
- Keep multiple ice packs or ice bags on standby in a freezer would be best practice, simple because you will be icing your knee every hour or so.
- Make sure to remove the knee brace and compression bandages from around your knee, but please DO NOT place the ice pack directly to the skin, place a towel between the ice pack and the skin, protecting the skin and keeping the stitches and wounds clean
Exercises
- You will begin a standard and simple program of exercises assembled by the surgeon and physiotherapist. These exercises will aid you in achieving the goals for this period of your recovery program, set be your surgeon for weeks 0-2.
- These exercises will be performed with low intensity but high volume, meaning that you won't be sweating heavily during the workout but will have to do them 2 to 3 time daily depending on what your surgeon planned.
Hygiene
- A couple of days after surgery you'll be able to shower and clear away any lasting odours still lingering from the surgery.
- When you take a shower for the first time SAFETY should be your number one concern as you don't want to slip or fall and reinjure yourself. The best practices would be to use a stool or chair to sit down while taking a shower.
- You will need to protect to stitches and bandaging around the knee with waterproof material, allowing the bandaging the get wet could leave to problems down the road if not changed.
- Keep the wounds around your knee as clean as possible, as you want to avoid your wounds becoming infected. Hand wash this area regularly, while trying not to wet the stitches or bandaging.
Knee Time Lapse after ACL Surgery ▪️ Week by Week Photos
The type of exercises performed during Week 1
The exercises you will perform in week 1 are there to help your achieve goals for this stage of your rehabilitation program. These set of exercises were designed by my surgeon for me specifically and may differ from what your surgeon designs for you however, the goals will be similar for example:
- Gain full extension of the knee
- Gain muscular control of the leg
- Increase knee bend as tolerated
- Encourage normal gait pattern.
List of Exercises
- Ankle Flexions = 10reps x 3 times per day: Laying on your back, bend and straighten your ankle briskly, keep your knee straight during the exercise.
- Leg Straighteners = 10reps x 3 times per day: Laying on your back with your legs straight, push your knees firmly towards the ground, Hold for 5 seconds, then release.
- Straight Leg Raises = 10reps x 3 times per day: Laying on your back with your operated leg straight and the other leg bent, raise your straightened leg approx 20cm off the ground, hold for 5 seconds, then slowly lower.
- Heel Sliders = 10reps x 3 times per day: Laying on your back with your operated leg straight and the other leg bent, slide your heel slowly towards your buttocks (bending the knee), hold for 5 seconds, slowly lower.
- Leg Extensions = 15reps x 3 times per day: Sitting on a chair, straighten your operated leg fully, hold for 5 seconds, then lower your leg.
- Prone Hang = 3 sets x 3 times per day: Laying face down on a bed with your legs hanging over the edge (just above knee caps), slowly allow gravity to extend your operated knee, hold for 30 seconds.
- Heel Drives = 10reps x 3 times per day: Laying on your back with one leg straight and your operated knee partially bent, drive heel towards the ground, hold for 5 seconds, then release.
- Hamstring Stretch = 10reps x 3 times per day: Standing on your good leg with your operated leg on a stool, flex your ankle towards yourself, keep your leg straight, hold for 5 seconds, then release.
Now that you've finished reading what are your thoughts about the information,
- Did you find it helpful?
- Are you going through this journey right now?
- Do you have any advice for people?
Leave your thoughts, questions or answers in the comment section below and I hope you enjoyed this post
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