Typically, patients can return to all normal activities within
8–12 weeks
of surgery. However, athletes may not be cleared to return to sports for 6 months to a year after surgery to avoid the risk of re-injury.
What can I expect after ACL and meniscus surgery?
Patients will be in a hinged knee brace for 4 weeks post-op locked in full extension. No active knee flexion X 4 weeks. Partial / toe-touch weight bearing for 3-5 days post-op, increasing to full weight bearing–important to watch for lower leg rotation or “heel whip” with ambulation to avoid stress onto the meniscus.
How long does it take to recover from ACL MCL and meniscus surgery?
ACL Surgery Recovery Time
If your surgery was successful with no complications and you plan to follow the rehabilitation recommendations of your orthopedic surgeon to the letter, the best guess is
no less than six months
. For some, it can take up to two years to get back to 100%.
What is the fastest way to recover from ACL and meniscus surgery?
- Control your pain. High pain levels will stop you from doing the necessary exercises. …
- Reduce swelling. …
- Restore full straightening. …
- Get the knee bending. …
- Don’t forget about the kneecap. …
- Get the quads going. …
- WALK.
How painful is ACL and meniscus surgery?
Pain is
typically minimal
after meniscus surgery. Most patients fully recover within 1–3 weeks, and are able to return to work soon after surgery if their job does not require physical labor. Physical therapy is rarely needed for this procedure.
How painful is ACL surgery recovery?
How long does pain last after ACL surgery? Most people have some surgery-related pain and discomfort for the first week or so. Not surprisingly, pain decreases with time.
By the end of a week or two at the most, you should have very little discomfort
.
Is ACL or meniscus surgery worse?
A meniscal repair will help reduce the effects of osteoarthritis because the damaged cartilage is repaired and saved versus being removed.
An ACL may possibly have the least long term effects
. Some patients may have decreased strength of the operated side and increased patellar tendinitis.
Will my knee ever be the same after meniscus surgery?
Knee Swelling after Meniscus Surgery
Swelling is an indicator of inflammation, which is part of the normal healing process after surgeries such as a meniscus repair.
It can sometimes persist for a few weeks following meniscal surgery
.
How do you poop after ACL surgery?
Getting Up and Down From a Toilet:
Back up to the toilet. Reach back for the armrests/raised toilet seat/seat.
Slide your operated leg slightly forward and lower yourself slowly onto the toilet
. To stand, use a grab bar or place your hand at the middle of the center bar of the walker.
How Long Does ACL meniscus surgery take?
The surgery usually takes
2 to 21⁄2 hours
, and you won’t need to stay in the hospital overnight. To do the reconstruction, the surgeon will drill bone tunnels into the tibia and the femur, remove the torn ligament, then place the ACL graft in about the same position.
Can you overdo it after ACL surgery?
Don’t overdo it
Once you are feeling a little bit better, it may be tempting to immediately return to your old routine. Take it slow, ask for help if you need it, and clear any physical activity with your doctor before participating.
What happens at 6 weeks after ACL surgery?
Week 6-12:
Patients will begin working on more activity-specific strengthening and weight bearing exercises, such as squats, ascending and descending stairs, and balancing
. They can also begin biking with resistance. The muscles begin to recover their normal function and gait becomes more normalized.
What happens 2 weeks after ACL surgery?
During the first two weeks following your surgery, the main goal is
limiting pain and swelling as much as possible, while also focusing on partially regaining your range of motion
. You will likely be on crutches for at least 7-10 days following the surgery.
How do you sleep after ACL and meniscus surgery?
- Ice your knee before bed for 20 minutes. …
- Sleep in a recliner if you are struggling to get comfortable in bed. …
- Talk to your doctor about sleep aids if you need them. …
- Take your pain medication just before bed. …
- Sleep with a pillow between your knees.
Why does ACL recovery take so long?
Like all ligaments, the ACL takes a very long time to heal. The reason is because
ligaments are poorly vascularized
. In other words, there aren’t many blood vessels to provide nutrients for the ligaments, and without nutrients, tissue repair is not possible.
What happens at 4 weeks after ACL surgery?
Those who achieve full and symmetrical active range of motion in extension and flexion within the first 4 weeks typically have less difficulty later on with
anterior knee pain, chronic swelling, abnormal gait mechanics, and secondary complications
.
What happens first week after ACL surgery?
Pain and swelling
are at their peak in the first week after ACL surgery. 1 It is especially important to apply cold therapy during this period to help reduce swelling and naturally control pain.
Will I gain weight after ACL surgery?
Beginning 3 months after surgery, the normal weight group had significantly larger changes in BMI percentile at each time window
. The normal weight group peaked with a median percentile increase of 4.15 points at 9 months after surgery (IQR, −1.27 to 9.12).
Is ACL surgery a major surgery?
Injuries requiring reconstruction or replacement of the ACL are common among athletes. ACL reconstruction surgery can help restore range of motion, function and stability to the knee joint after an ACL injury.
ACL reconstruction surgery is a common but major surgery with risks, like any other surgery
.
What should I avoid after ACL surgery?
- Do not put too much pressure on your knee and body. It’s easy to feel impatient throughout your rehabilitation. …
- Don’t over ice your knee. …
- Avoid sleeping with your knee bent. …
- Do not overcompensate your recovering knee. …
- Do not be afraid to tell your doctor if you are worried about something.
Will walking on a torn meniscus make it worse?
Can you walk on a torn meniscus?
Whether you can walk on a torn meniscus will depend on the injury’s location and severity
— and perhaps also your own personal tolerance for pain. A slight tear might not feel so bad to you. You may very well be able to stand and walk on a leg that has a torn meniscus in the knee.
Which is worse ACL or MCL tear?
While not always the case, an ACL tear is in most cases going to be the more severe injury.
It is considered worse than tearing the MCL
because ACL tears are in general more complex to treat and require a longer recovery time after surgery.
Is meniscus tear serious?
Left untreated, a meniscus tear can limit your daily life and ability to participate in exercise and sports.
In serious cases, it can develop into long-term knee problems, like arthritis
.
Why do my knees hurt 3 months after meniscus?
Swelling, infection, inadequate rehabilitation, spontaneous osteonecrosis, and arthritis in the joint
are a few of the factors that cause continued knee pain after surgery.
Do they put you to sleep for meniscus surgery?
Your healthcare provider may suggest full or partial meniscus removal if you tear your meniscus.
Meniscectomy can be done with local or general anesthesia (in which you are put to sleep)
and it can decrease pain and restore mobility.
Is it better to repair or remove meniscus?
In most patients,
meniscus tear repair is preferred over meniscus removal
. That’s because studies have shown when the meniscus is repaired and preserved, patients tend to experience better overall healing and better long-term joint function.
