Well tomorrow is D Day and I am pretty anxious about it. I am more so anxious about how high my pain level will be. I hope the meds work their magic!
Good luck to everyone who has an upcoming surgery and to those of you who are already in recovery!
The ACL Repair Forum Firsthand accounts of ACL surgery and recovery
About this topic
- Posted by shana 7 months ago. There are 13 posts. The latest reply is from Peter.
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Hi Shana,
Good luck. Mine was last Wednesday. I was very anxious as well. This is how it happened. It didn't sleep too much (or eat too much) the night before...too anxious. As soon as I checked in, I was admitted and they went to work on prepping me. After about 30 minutes or so waiting, they put the IV in, I met the surgical team, got an explanation of what to experience when I woke up ,etc. Soon after, they wheeled me into the OR and then it was nighty-night. I woke up with a bitter taste in my month (from the breathing tube) and a cool cyro cuff...they gave me some pain meds, gave my mom scripts for pain meds (filed at the hospital). The past week for me as been in bed, in the CPM, on ice, and sleeping/watching tv. The drugs may make you sick (and you may get something for that) and may suppress your appetite. You will do well...good luck!
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Did you get a nerve block too? I am being put into a twilight sleep then given a nerve block before I go completely under. I get 4 days off then it's back to work for me! Although, I am lucky and will be working from home for a few weeks. How has your pain level been?
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No nerve block for me. My doctor doesn't use them. I was in a lot of pain until very recently. The pain was ok when I was in the cpm and on ice, but when I got up and tried to walk around...very painful. I had a lot of time I needed to use, so took 1.5 weeks, but I will be back at work next week with a cyro cuff to ease the pain. Glad that you can work from home, four days would not have been enough for me. Take care...mike
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I got a nerve block and am on day 2 of recovery. Undoubtedly, it hurts more today than yesterday, probably now that most of the meds (aside from the Percocet) have worn off. I have a Gameready ice cuff which helps with the pain. No CPM, but I have been able to walk on the operated leg with crutches.
Yesterday I felt good and was working from home and also doing the post-surgery PT exercises. Last night is when the pain really started to kick in.
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I had ACL and medial menisectomy surgery (with patella tendon graft - same leg)9 days ago and I opted to not get the nerve block. I had the most pain on day two and three post surgery but it wasn't excruciating. I would say it was a 6-7 on a 10 scale.
I am now walking without crutches and I am working on getting full range of motion to erase the obvious limp.
I am very happy to be rid of the crutches!!
My Doc was Dr. Richard Martin who specializes in sports medicine and ACL repairs. I live in Goodyear AZ(Phoenix area) and I feel very lucky to have found him.
Good luck to all of you and just know that each day it gets better!
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I had my surgery done in Scottsdale. What kind of post-op exercises are you doing? The only 2 my doctor gave me were foot exercises and the one where you put the towel under your ankle and extend your leg.
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Who was you doctor and which surgical center did you use?
As far as exercises, my doctor gave me the same as you and to use the CPM (0-90 degrees) for at least 6 hours per day. The other exercises were introduced during my first PT session. But the one your doctor gave you is the most important in the initial stages. Getting your leg to straighten to 0 degrees and a little less (-5 - -10 degrees) is very crucial in the first weeks to month. My PT started on the third day post op and they worked mostly on the aforementioned and calf/hamstring stretches. My doctor limited my ROM to +90 degrees due to the medial meniscus menisectomy.
Start your PT as soon as your doctor recommends and you will see and feel the improvement! Every day gets a little better than the past!!
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Dr. Cory Nelson and I was at the Scottsdale Hospital on Thompson Peak.
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its honestly not as bad as you tihnk. when i got out of mine i felt a little bit drowsy for about an hour and then i was perfectly fine, except for the excruciating pain from not being able to pee lol. but after wards your still numb so you wont feel a thing. the cpm definetly does help a lot i felt especially during the first couple of days. i was able to max it out on my 3rd day at 120 degrees, and was done with it on the 5 or 6 day. the pain actually was not that bad at all for me as well and only took 2 pills the entire time, and i really didnt need them just took them becuase i felt the pain would eventually come, but didnt. also while your home all day you should really try doing as many leg raises as possible. i did about 500 per day, and more at times during my first week and i am not in amazing shape at my 2nd week post op. both my surgeon and physical therapist are stunned at how fast i am healing and he even said that i am in the top 5 % of all surgeries including the pro athletes he has done. well hope this helped hope your getting through it ok
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Hmm, I don't think it's prudent to recommend to anyone that they attempt 500 leg raises within days of an ACL reconstruction. My doctor recommended a number of strengthening exercises but they were generally not as intense as leg raises - and even then he recommended no more than 30 of each exercise per day.
2 days after the surgery I did several leg raises with my physical therapist. He was surprised that I could do 30 leg raises 2 days after the operation. He felt comfortable with those exercises only because he was there to spot me, and suggested that I do not attempt leg raises at home.
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well i am doing amazing with my recovery and what is possibly wrong with doing the my doc and therapist encouraged me to do exercises 5 times a day the day after my surgery. the results are obviously showing as i can bend my knee to 135 degrees a little over 2 weeks out of my surgery and every who sees my results are shocked so idk what to tell you.
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I think it's great that you're having a speedy recovery and that you are doing what your doctor and therapist encouraged you to do. Just keep in mind that what works for you might not work for other people on this forum, and could actually hinder their progress.
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