Tips for Improving Your Recovery After ACL Surgery
It is estimated that up to 175,000 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions are conducted each year in the United States. ACL injuries are most common in athletes and high activity-level people. Those that play football, soccer, basketball and baseball are at higher risk due to either direct contact, sudden jumping and landing or quick change in direction that these sports entail.
The first question most patients ask me following ACL surgery is, “when am I going to be back to 100 percent?” My typical answer – It takes 6-8 months to get back to full, high-level athletic activity. However, for the average person engaging in recreational sports, recovery is often much quicker. Whether you are a Division I athlete or an avid gardener, one thing is certain – proper recovery comes with work and YOU can set the overall tempo of your healing.
Keep these following tips in mind as you approach undergoing ACL surgery.
They will help you minimize your downtime and steadily hasten your recovery. Steps taken early on will pay huge dividends later in your recovery.
- Minimize swelling after surgery. Swelling creates stiffening in the tissue, causing pain and inhibiting progression of your rehab. Adhere to the post-operative guidelines your surgeon provides, which will include information about keeping the leg elevated and using cold therapy (ice packs).
- Achieve full range of motion of the knee as quickly and safely as possible. Full extension or straightening of the knee should be achieved within the first few days. Bending of the knee should progress steadily over the next few weeks with the goal of full bending by 3-4 weeks following surgery. Stiffness of the knee is difficult to work out once it has set in.
- Prevent muscle weakness after surgery. Muscles can become significantly deconditioned after the procedure. This can lead to muscle weakness and difficulty in getting your full strength back. Your surgeon will prescribe simple exercises to prevent this. It may seem that these exercises are not doing much at first, but it is important to adhere to these to ensure your muscle strength returns.
Call Dr. Matthew T. Boes today and schedule an appointment.
Awesome write-up. I’m a normal visitor of your web site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I’ll be a frequent visitor for a long time.
Awesome post. I’m a normal visitor of your blog and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the nice site. I will be a frequent visitor for a long time.
Hi there. I discovered your web site by way of Google while searching for a related subject, your site got here up. It seems to be good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.
Awesome write-up. I’m a regular visitor of your site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the nice site. I’ll be a frequent visitor for a long time.
You really make it appear so easy along with your presentation but I in finding this matter to be really one thing that I feel I would never understand. It seems too complex and very broad for me. I’m having a look ahead on your next publish, I will attempt to get the hold of it!|
Hi there. I found your blog by means of Google even as searching for a similar subject, your website got here up. It seems great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.
You wouldn’t feel it but I’ve wasted all day digging for some articles about this. You may be a lifesaver, it was an excellent read and has helped me out to no end. Cheers!
I truly appreciated this great weblog. Make positive you maintain up the very good work. All of the very best !!!!
I’m impressed, I should say. Truly rarely can i encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me let you know, you can have hit the nail to the head. Your concept is outstanding; the thing is an problem that inadequate consumers are speaking intelligently about. We’re very happy which i came across this inside my search for something concerning this.
Whats Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve discovered It positively helpful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to give a contribution & help other customers like its aided me. Great job.
Definitely, what a magnificent blog and instructive posts, I definitely will bookmark your blog.Have an awsome day!
Thanks for the write up! Also, just a heads up, your RSS feeds aren’t working. Could you take a appear at that?
Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and internet stuff and this is really irritating. A good blog with exciting content, that is what I need. Thank you for making this website, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?
Hello there. I found your web site by the use of Google even as searching for a similar subject, your web site got here up. It seems to be great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.
Simply a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw great pattern .
Awesome post. I’m a regular visitor of your web site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I will be a regular visitor for a really long time.
This website was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I’ve found something which helped me. Appreciate it!
Hello there, You’ve done a fantastic job. I’ll definitely digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this web site.|
Hi there. I found your blog by way of Google while looking for a comparable matter, your web site came up. It appears good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.
Awesome post. I am a regular visitor of your web site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I will be a regular visitor for a long time.