ACL Surgery Tips

ACL surgery is common among those active in sports or other rigorous activities. It is when the anterior cruciate ligament, which is largely responsible for the stability of the knee joint, is torn. Surgery repairs this tear with a graft from the patient or from a donor. This surgery is usually performed arthroscopically, which makes it look less extensive than it truly is.

Ask Questions

• One of the most important things to do as a patient is to ask questions of your doctor. Find out how bad your ACL tear is. Ask what type of surgery he plans on doing--arthroscope or open. Have him review treatment options with you. Find out whether he plans on using an autograft (from your own body) or an allograft (from a deceased donor) for your ACL repair. These are all things you should know before going in. Also discuss what kind of recovery you wish to have. If you intend on playing sports, it is crucial you know the extent of your damage and the likelihood of a full recovery. Statistics show that only around 60 percent of players go back to their full pre-surgery level of activity. It is important to know these things, and to make options available to you, as well as not to create unrealistic expectations.

The Surgery

• During the surgery, two or three small holes will be made around the knee, and sometimes a small incision is made for larger tools. The entire operation can usually be performed through these small incisions. Occasionally, a larger incision must be made. Holes are drilled, the graft with its attaching bone blocks is taken, and the graft attached to the damaged ligament. These are then placed through the drilled holes and secure with staples or sutures. The patient will be under general anesthesia during this time and will wake up in recovery where they will remain for a few hours before being sent home. Before and after surgery, you will be given specific instructions by your doctor on what to do, and what not to do. It is imperative to follow these instructions to the letter, as you can ruin a successful surgery by placing too much stress on your repaired ACL.

Physical Therapy

• The most crucial part of recovering from your ACL surgery will be the post-operative physical therapy. It is critical that you begin PT within 48 hours from your surgery and continue until you are released from the program successfully. While intense and demanding and often painful, the physical therapy you endure will make sure that your new ACL heals properly and strengthen to maintain stability in your knee. If you were to heal without PT, the grafted ligament would not hold the knee steady and would not heal properly. Exercises begin light, with quad sets and legs lifts, and steadily work their way into more demanding balance exercises, toe lifts, weight and resistance training, and eliptical machine workouts. Physical therapy for this surgery is rigorous and demanding, and it is best to know that going in.

Pain Control

• You will be given oral pain medication to take for the first 10 days after your surgery, with a refill if needed. It is important to control your pain, especially in the first few days post-op. Take the medication on time. Do not skip a dose during those first critical days. Especially as you begin physical therapy, it is important to have pain medication in your bloodstream and working before you go in and work on your exercises. After the first couple of weeks, it is important to start cutting back. Pain medication is addictive and has side effects that are not desirable or healthy. Start cutting down the prescription pain medication and relying more on over-the-counter drugs to control your pain after the second, or at most, third week post-op. Check with your doctor about what over-the-counter medicines will be best for you.

Eat for Success

• Most of us have some weight to take off. In the case of athletes, this may be the case. But the fact is that for every pound we lose, we take off 10 pounds of pressure from our knees. So if you have extra fat, now is the time to take it off. Change your lifestyle. Eat better. Vegetables such as broccoli and spinach are rich in calcium and minerals and are excellent for bone and muscle health. Supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin will help keep your joints lubed and moving. Keep a supply of over the counter NSAIDs--Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs--on hand for sore days. By taking better care of your body, you will recover more rapidly and make some changes that can only affect the outcome of your ACL surgery for the better.