The 6 best ways for you to achieve a Successful Recovery after Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Surgery

For anyone who is about to undergo ACL reconstruction surgery it can be a very stressful and confusing period, causing them to worry about the surgery or whether their recovery will be successful. These worries can have a negative effect on your recovery and prevent you from achieving your goals, so in todays post we will be looking at:

• What is ACL surgery

• Helpful tips and tricks for your recovery journey

So, let's begin.....

What is ACL Reconstruction Surgery

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Surgery is a medical procedure performed by a orthopaedic surgeon. The aim of the surgery is to stabilise the injured knee by replacing the torn or ruptured ligament with a new graft ligament taken from your Hamstring, Patellar Tendon or either a Donor Graft, helping restore the patient's knee to a pre-injury status.

Tips for a Successful ACL Recovery

Do your Research

• If you have decided that surgery is the best form of treatment that suits you, then questions like which orthopaedic surgeon is best qualified to perform the procedure? how long will the recovery process be? or which physiotherapist has the most experience to handle my recovery? must be asked and answered.

• To answer these vital questions you must first do some research by reading this blog (small bit biased here), articles, medical journals or even talking to people who have the experience of undergoing an ACL surgery and the recovery process afterwards.

• By gathering this information you are able to find the best suited treatment plan, while also giving yourself an insight on what's to be expected.

Being Mentally Ready

• When you suffer an ACL injury which unfortunately leads to surgery, you will read, see and hear about the physical demands it puts on your body but for some reason we hear very little about one of the major factors during this process and that is the mental stress you will face on a daily basis.

• The mental side of this type of injury is as equally or more important than the physical side. Struggles like anger, loneliness and even depression can effect anyone and may decrease the chances of a successful recovery.

• Understanding that these struggles and many more will face you head on, can give you the edge in preparation before undergoing your surgery.

Set Goals

• Setting goals in anything you do in life helps to maintain your focus on the end goal, while also motivating you. Whether it's in your personal or professional life, or even during your recovery after ACL surgery, goals can help keep you on track step by step.

• Understanding the work effort that's needed, tailor you goals that best suits you. If returning to sport is your dream or just gaining full function in your knee again, design a strategy that allows you to achieve each and every goal that will be set.

Have Patience and Trust the Process

• After undergoing ACL surgery you undoubtedly will be looking at a long journey to the day your able to claim your recovery was a success, the number one requested personal quality that will be asked of you during this time, will be patience.

• No matter what you do before or after surgery the minimum time period required will be at least 6 months. During these months your patience will be pushed to the limit as gains or improvements may not be visible or noticeable.

• Like the saying goes "Patience is a Virtue" and the ability to stay calm and realise that this takes time can save you a lot of energy during your journey.

Invest in the Equipment

• During your recovery journey you will be asked by your physiotherapist to purchase pieces of equipment that will improve your knees conditioning.

• Investing in equipment like balance boards or disc sliders may at first seem like nothing but a financial burden, but realising that this equipment will always benefit you in the long run will make it easier to buy the equipment.

• You don't need to buy the most expensive stuff, a lot of the equipment can be easily sourced at online retailers.

The small things Add Up

• From prior to surgery with prehab, to the day you leave the hospital right up until the day your rehabilitation is officially over, you will be performing a countless number of exercises that are designed to improve the condition of your knee.

• There are going to be times during your journey when you will not have the energy or mind-set to complete an exercise or workout, but it's in these testing situations that your character is judged. Finishing each rep and set will count towards you achieving your goals, and by winning these tiny battles over and over again you slowly but surely take one step closer to the end.

Now that you've finished reading what are your thoughts about the information,

• Did you find it helpful? 

• What are your goals for a successful recovery?

• Does anything worry you? 

Leave your thoughts, questions or answers in the comment section below and I hope you enjoyed this post 

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