The ACL Repair Forum Firsthand accounts of ACL surgery and recovery

1. 

   integrinB4
   Member
   Posted 2 months ago #
   

   I am 4 weeks out w/ an allograft. I really miss any sort of cardio workouts (espically running, but I understand I've got ~3 months before I even think that).

   I have swam all my life (and competitively in HS). It is summer and I have a pool readily available for lap swimming.

   Has anyone incorporated swimming (front crawl) as part of your rehab (as recommended by OS or PT)? If so, when did you incorporate it?

   The only negative I have found is that one person was worried about hyperextension that may come with kicking and causing laxity in the graft.

   Anyone? I guess I cold be content with walking in the water, though I am walking almost normally without a brace (still trying to rebuild quad strength). ROM 140 and -4 or -5 depending on the day.

   I have my 1 month followup tomorrow, so I'll see what the doc says.

2. 

   Buy Dog Treats
   Member
   Posted 1 month ago #
   

   Plan on waiting at least two weeks after your surgery to take a bath, or go swimming, unless your surgeon has given specific instructions otherwise. How soon after surgery you can take a bath depends upon the type of surgery you had. If you have a cast on your leg, soaking in a bath tub would be a bad idea, as would bathing or swimming if your incision has not healed.

3. 

   andrew
   Member
   Posted 1 month ago #
   

   integrinB4, you are correct about the kicking part. I am 10 weeks post surgery and I have been cleared to enjoy the pool with the restriction on doing any kicking. I was told it puts too much strain on the graft.

4. 

   chicago Real Estate
   Member
   Posted 1 month ago #
   

   They make waterproof bandages....look at your local drug store.

6. 

   kickit023
   Member
   Posted 1 month ago #
   

   I'm 19 days out of surgery now and was told I"m not allowed to do any kicking if I go to the pool as that kick motion is not good. I was able to take a shower 5 days after surgery.I had taken one bath, but had kept my knee out of the water.

7. 

   Chicagto Condos
   Member
   Posted 1 week ago #
   

   Swimming involves 4 components: getting wet, staying wet, physical activity especially with the arms, and sun explosure. With my After Surgery Dressings, my patients typically can take a brief shower 24 hours after surgery. Longer exposure will defeat the dressing leaving the wound exposed to the elements. Once the dressing is no longer there, healing surface wounds tolerate water exposure to a limited degree, just like a scab on other cuts you have had. Prolonged water exposure too soon tends to weaken surface healing. Beyond that muscle activity like arm movement with swimming can be an issue with early healing. In bodybuilding no pain no gain. In healing pushing too far can hurt the healing. Tanning is the last element. Scars in their evolution phase when tanned, may remain permanently dark. An indoor pool for most will solve this last issue.

   Actual time for such issues to resolve depend on the problem to be treated, what was done, after surgery care, and many other factors best discussed with your doctor.

   Rushing to do something too soon can ruin the result.

   Hope this helps,

RSS feed for this topic

Reply

You must log in to post.