acl surgery in a fortnight...few qs!

sadhbhc15

I completely ruptured my anterior cruciate about 7 weeks ago and am due to have surgery in about 10 days. Ligaments will be taken from my hamstring. I'm not looking for medical advice, but I have a few questions for those of you who have had this procedure done.

Will I have to stay in hospital for a few days after the op?
Will I have some kind of splint / cast on my leg afterwards?
Any tips for what to bring to hospital, e.g. extra big PJs in case knee is really swollen?
How long should I expect to be on crutches?
Anything else you think might be helpful!

Thanks a million!

sadhbhc15

anyone?

goose06

I had mine done about 2 years ago.
I had surgery on a Thursday morning, went home Friday evening.

A Physio will carry out some range of movement tests on you and show you how to use your crutches properly; you'll also have to be able to negotiate a stairs, just a couple of steps, up and down. That's some of the stuff. How you react to the surgery would be the main factor though.

I'd recommend shorts so they won't be rubbing against your knee and bring a laptop with some movies on it to help pass time.

The crutches will be a mixture of how you react to the surgery, doing all your exercises (very important so no excuses for not doing them) and making sure you are icing as often as you are told. I was able to move around the house without them after a week but my physio advised any more than that more than that to use the crutches. After 2-3 weeks I didn't find that I needed them but the Physio told me to always use at least one if I was going into crowded places, more to let people know you are carrying an injury and to give you a bit of space than anything else. Most important thing is patience, it is a long term injury/recovery, and you will get there eventually as long as you do your exercises.

The first week is pretty tough, hopefully you'll have someone around to help you, if you are going to be home alone during the day make sure you have everything you will need with in easy reach you don't want to be stretching for things.

One thing I would recommend doing if you haven't already is to make an appointment or 2 with your physio and go through all the exercises that you will need to do, it'll make it a whole lot easier after the surgery if you are already familiar with them.

Anyway I hope you find this helpful and all the best with the surgery you'll be back on your feet in no time and be back to playing sport before you know it. The feeling you get when you eventually get back to playing after months of hard work is pretty special so focus on that on the bad days when you feel that things are not going well or slow.

All the best,
John

goose06

I had no splint/cast on mine and had the stitches that dissolve after a few days. My surgery was different to yours in that I had some of my patella used rather than my hamstring.

sadhbhc15

Thanks very much for that, John. Some very practical advice there.

goose06

No problem, one other thing make sure you set yourself a goal, be it a date that you want to do a 10k run or back playing soccer, gaa. It will make it a lot easier if you are building towards something.

standardtoaster

sadhbhc15 wrote: »

Will I have some kind of splint / cast on my leg afterwards?
How long should I expect to be on crutches?
Anything else you think might be helpful!

Had the same procedure last year on my left knee and getting it done on my right knee in a few weeks!!(some people have all the luck!!)
My left knee is grand now though!!

In addition to the last poster:

1. When you leave hospital you'll have a dressing(one of those sock elastic bandages ankle to top of your thigh) covering up the whole length of your leg.
This can't be taken off or allowed to get wet(I used to shower with a black bin bag wrapped around it) until you get your stitches out 2 weeks after the op
2. Your 2 main aims straight after the op is to a)get your leg straight and b)throw them crutches away

a) This is important as if you don't get it fully straight within 6 weeks its unlikely you will again(sounds extreme but true).
Therefore AT ALL times when your sitting down keep your bad leg elevated & stretched in front of you resting on your heel (this way all the weight is on your knee and it's stretching your hamstring (which has just been shortened)

b) Per my surgeon and sports physio you have to get off those crutches ASAP:
I was off mine after 4 days (I wasn't moving quickly by any means now)
You achieve this by doing your exercises given by the physio in hospital (they are a pain and tedious) and doing a bit of walking with the crutches initially as much as you can handle, but build on it day on day.
Start with two crutches, then 1 crutch then without. You'll be slow at moving, but keep pushing yourself.
Generally used the walk to my local shop and the reward of an ice-cream!!
But be careful not to move too quickly (or you'll feel it in hamstring)!!

3. Watch what your eating(try not to snack too much during the day) and drinking(go easy on the booze. Personally I ****ed up here last time :pac:) in the 12 or so weeks after the op as you can do very little exercise other than maybe weights and walk!!

4. Make sure you have a good sports physio (my lad was class had a really good acl rehab program) who you attend on a regular basis in the 6 months after the op he/she is key in giving you the tools in getting your knee back to full working order

5. PERSEVERE!! It is a long road back (minimum 6 months), but it is defintely worth it and you'll possibly end up fitter for it at the end of it all.

Best of luck....hope they operate on the right leg!!