Going through ACL Reconstruction surgery isn’t easy for anybody. The pain, discomfort, swelling and foreignness of experiencing what is fundamentally an immobile limb will be quite a deviation from the normality of your daily routine.

This particularly holds true for the active adult who chooses to or needs to have ACL Reconstruction Surgery. One day you are at least able to move around on your own, and the next you’re completely confined to a resting position. Nevertheless, with some patience, hard work and dedication, you will be back to your active lifestyle, even stronger than you were before surgery.

The 1st month after the operation is hard - you’re mostly restricted to a bed except for hygiene purposes, the swelling in your leg and ankle may be heavy and the pain will ebb and flow as the day goes on. However, there are steps that you can take to make the recovery process as quick and productive as possible.

1. Prior to surgery, organize the area where you will be recuperating after the surgery. Try to accumulate some reading materials (magazines, books, newspapers, trade publications, etc), make sure that you have a wireless or cordless phone close and gather enough blankets & pillows so you can support and elevate the repaired knee joint. If you have a laptop, make a point to bring it’s power cord to your recuperation area and ensure that your wireless internet (if applicable) is operational to help pass the time.

2. If you’ve young children, prepare them for the reality that you are going to be immobile for a period of time and that they can’t rough-house around you. The last thing you need is a toddler accidentally tumble into you as you are hobbling around the house.

3. Take it easy for the period right after surgery and right before your first PT session. Give your whole being - head, leg and spirit - time to heal. Remember - you’ve just undertaken a major surgical procedure and you need to have a solid recovery period to ensure you are able to spring back to your prior, normal self.

4. Take your meds as instructed by your physician! He/She has prescribed them to you for a reason. Consider - your medications are not only to help alleviate pain, but to help reduce inflammation from the surgery. You are not a wimp if you take them!

5. Ask for help from those that are close to you. You could probably get through the recovery process on your own, but you should rely on those who can and will assist you wherever and whenever needed.

6. Request that the limited area within your home that you will be moving through be kept comparatively orderly. You’ll need to be on crutches, and you don’t need to be navigating on crutches through a floor full of toys and scattered laundry across the room as you are trying to learn how to use them.

7. Ask your doctor if a stool softener would be appropriate to take during your while you are taking your pain medications. Some of the meds that are prescribed to ease the pain and swelling can cause constipation, and a stool softener will help oneself counteract this possibility.

8. Remain well hydrated. Drinking water may be the last thing you feel like doing as you are lying in bed, but make sure to not deprive your body of it’s needed fluid intake.

9. Ice, ice, ice, ice and ice. Along with your medications, ice will help reduce inflammation, swelling and pain. Make sure to stick to your doctor’s recommendation as to the icing time interval and frequency for your recently repaired knee.

If you abide by your doctor’s orders, be diligent about treating yourself right during your post-surgery recuperation, give your body the repose it needs and keep a positive mental attitude, before long you’ll be onto the next stage of your road to final recovery - the start of physical therapy and relatively normal activity.

The information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or medical services. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your doctor promptly.

Claude Smoot is a freelance author who recently went through ACL Reconstruction, Rehab and Physical Therapy. He enjoys reading and writing on all topics health & wellness.

For more information and a library of articles on the topics of health and wellness, visit the RollerNurse Article Index at http://www.rollernurse.com

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This entry was posted on Thursday, March 13th, 2008 at 11:32 am and is filed under Physical Therapy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.