What Happens After An Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgical Procedure?

An injury on the ACL or the anterior cruciate ligament is generally treated with a surgery. After the surgical operation, the patient is still likely to feel some discomfort and pain in the injured knee. Should this happen, the patient is recommended to take prescription drugs for several days. Several anti inflammatory medication can be prescribed if pain killers aren't enough to alleviate the pain. These anti-inflammatory drugs should not be used if the knee feels fine already.

With regards to the rehabilitation process after the surgical procedure, the individual should see a physiotherapist right after the surgery. The therapist will speak with the patient concerning the static quadriceps exercises, which are intended to enable the leg to extend fully and to start knee flexion. Throughout the first 24 hours following the reconstruction surgery with the torn anterior cruciate ligament, the patient could possibly walk, but with the aid of crutches. Oftentimes, patients can get rid of the crutches and begin walking on their own 2 to 4 days after the surgical procedure. But it is important that the knee is still protected with a knee brace for as long as 6 weeks. The purpose of the knee brace is to help the knee achieve full extension especially as the patient sleeps.

After the patient is discharged from the hospital after the surgery, it is imperative that he or she schedule for rehab. The particular therapist will create a program that will be appropriate for the patient. The ideal frequency of the rehabilitation periods is three times per week of the first 6 weeks, and just once per week for the next six weeks. The first part of the rehabilitation program will be directed at controlling the swelling of the knee. This particular stage should also attempt to get rid of the pain felt on the knee. The next thing will be intended to make the knee get back its range of flexibility.

There will be particular workout routines to achieve these goals. A crucial part of the rehabilitation process happens when the therapist requires the patient to do exercises that are geared towards leg balance, reflexes, muscle reaction as well as proprioception. This is an essential part of the whole process because it will probably be after this that the leg brace can be removed already.

Some of the exercise routines in the second phase of the rehabilitation are static cycling, driving, as well as pool or water exercises. The patient will probably be made to swim gradually four weeks after the surgical treatment. As months go by, more forms of exercises will be required by the therapist, until the knee can feel comfortable in its movement to make sure that the anterior cruciate ligament will not be injured again.