Comments for Yes Knee Can: ACL Surgery Recovery

Comment on All About Knee by KgM

KgM — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:20:33 +0000

I ran into a problem yesterday. My hamstring just dehind my knee got very tender and swollen. Also everytime I extedned my leg or “energised” it I would feel a horrible burning sensation, very painful. It stopped me in my tracks each time it happened.

I happen to have PT last night and they could easily see it was inflammed and very tight. They seemed a little concerned abuot it actually, especially since I was going very well prior. They worked on it during the entire PT. Still very painful… hopefully its nothing to worry about.

Anyone experienced this before? It does not help mentally that I had a hamstring autograft…

Comment on All About Knee by Healing Knee

Healing Knee — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:41:23 +0000

I am doing PT about twice a week. Today my flexion was at 110 degrees, improved from 98 degrees just 4 days earlier. Step by step…little by little.

Comment on All About Knee by KgM

KgM — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:22:20 +0000

I agree, the post op brace is awful. I went down to one crutch about 1 week post op and dropped the second crutch just inside two weeks post op. There have been times around the house when I have gone back to one crutch due to fatigue but other than that I’ve been getting around okay.

How many times are you doing PT per week? I am currently doing 2 per week and trying my best to work at it everynight at home too. But admittedly, when it hurt real bad I am pretty quick to say “screw it” for the night.

My ROM was measured at three weeks: I had a 100 ext and 118 flex (after stretching). Where are you at?

Comment on All About Knee by Healing Knee

Healing Knee — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 02:00:16 +0000

Hey KgM -
My surgery was on 6/30 and I still need at least one crutch to walk, but it’s getting better. Yeah, I’m bored as hell and frustrated but I know this experience won’t last forever. The brace is awful. I only wear it on trips out of the house in the car; I never wear it in the house, just an ACE wrap. The brace is there to help prevent reinjury such as a slip or fall which could cause the knee to buckle. I definitely don’t want to reinjure my knee, so I’m real carefu. But frankly, I don’t think the brace is all that helpful. I break the rules on that one a bit.
One day at a time.
-Healing Knee

Comment on Recent Famous Athletes w/ Torn ACLs by Vanessa

Vanessa — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:08:25 +0000

I know what its like to go threw soccer withdraw also. I’ve torn my acl twice and the second time my meniscus tore with it. I now am scared to play soccer my favorite thing in the world..I’m scared to reinjure myself and not be the same player I was before. tryouts are in a month and im so lost but Best of luck to you.

Comment on Pic: What My ACL Looks Like by topher

topher — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:49:34 +0000

Nice pictures. Just got this surgery myself, and am reading up on others’ experiences. I had no idea that ACLs could disintegrate …

Topher

Comment on All About Knee by KgM

KgM — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:30:27 +0000

Hey Healing Knee-

Thanks for the reply. That a good explanation from you PT about the quad stuff. I had my surgery July 1st, looks like you may have been close to that date as well?

I am already anxiously fighting two urges… 1.) to be patient with my PT and 2.) lose this post op brace.

Even though its only been three weeks since surgery I am already fighting boredum with this recovery. Not good since we have not even scratched the surface of this long road to full recovery.

Also, I keep reading about people who have not been required to stay in a post-op brace after surgery. Does your doctor have you wearing one? My brace and I are NOT friends. It drives me crazy. I’m wondering if I would be screwing myself by discarding it… what do you think? Has anyone been able to down-size to a smaller brace that is not so bulky and HUGE?

Comment on All About Knee by Healing Knee

Healing Knee — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 23:12:55 +0000

KgM -
I am also at 2.5 weeks of recovery. My quads are just starting to get their strength back. Quad sets and leg raises have been key in getting strong. My understanding is this…as the swelling continues to wane, the quad comes back. All the fluid and swelling around the knee makes the brain shut down or decrease the impulse it sends to the muscle. As the swelling fades, the muscle control improves. This is what my phys therapist told me. Keep at it!
-Healing Knee

Comment on All About Knee by KgM

KgM — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:29:06 +0000

I am now 2.5 weeks post op with my ACL reconstruction (hami graft). My question is in regards to rehab- how do you know if you are pushing the envelope of PT enough vs too much?

My extension and flex is pretty good and my mobility without crutches is getting better. Although I have found it to be a bumpy road; one day I need no crutches and feel decent about it and the next day out of bed I feel like I two crutches to cross the house!

I’m still in a post-op brace (until 6 weeks minimum per my othro) but I hate watching my quad dissapear. Is this due to wearing the brace or just the surgery in general? I’m doing the PT exercises religously and continuing to up my reps as much as I can until the pain tells me to stop. What can I do to help power back my quad? It seems the only exercise I cannot excell at thus far is the “firing” of my quad (or quad sets). Elec. stimulus helps at PT but 2-3 times per week does not seem to be enough to stop the deterioration of my quad… Ideas? Advice?

Comment on All About Knee by Ayah

Ayah — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 08:07:16 +0000

Hey All,
I was on a boat the other day and slipped the same way i slipped when i busted my knee and tore my ACL and Meniscus, But no pain like before and it feels quite fine actually, its just when i come to do full extension that I feel some pain.. Kind of worried.. Please help!!!
A..