Anterior Cruciate Ligament or ACL as it is commonly known in the medical field is the ligament that connects the thigh bone and the shinbone and is a very crucial part of the knee joint. The ACL provided the connection between the upper and the lower leg along with the other parts of the knee joint. They also provide stability to the Knee and stop the joint from bending forward beyond a level. Any wear and tear in the ligament are bound to cause minor or major discomfort in the knee joint. This may lead to major hindrance in the movement of the knee or may also cause discomfort in performing a range of motions with the knee. It may even cease your normal routine actions like getting up from a sitting position, squatting, jumping or even walking.
The ACL ligament tears are of 3 grades according to the severity of the injury to the ligament and if the injury is termed major by a knee pain doctor like Dr. Manish Maheshwari it would be advised to be operated up to rectify and treat the problem. Dr. Manish Maheshwari is the best ACL reconstruction surgeon in Indore, MP who can put you back in action by giving you the best treatment for an ACL injury.
Once the diagnosis, testing and other initial processes have been done for judging the severity of the injury is done, the doctor will decide on the path of treatment. If the path of treatment is arthroscopic surgery or reconstruction surgery, there will be a barrage of questions arising in the mind of a patient about what will happen after the surgery is done. Let us look into some such questions about the post-surgery period and get answers to them.
What position should I rest my leg in, after the surgery?The legs should be in an elevated resting position to help normalize blood flow and avoid clotting. The elevation needs to be at a 45-degree angle and the knee should be about the heart level. Acute pain in the calf muscles could be an early sign of clotting, consult your doctor immediately.
Moving your ankles up and down about 10 times every ten minutes could also help proper blood circulation in the leg. Keeping pillows under your heel and calf will help the rehab process, avoid pillow under your knee.
Do I need to take painkillers after the surgery?The first few days are bound to be painful and doctors always prescribe medications to manage the pain and keep you comfortable.
How soon will my knee become operational?Knee bending can be started gradually in consultation with your surgeon and physiotherapist. Initially supporting your knee by placing hands behind the knee while bending will ease the motion. The goal is to bend your knees up to 90 degrees in a week.
Will there be fever after surgery?Fever is quite common for a few days after surgery. Any temperature up to 101 degrees Fahrenheit is termed normal and above that would need to be referred to your doctor.
How often should we dress the bandage and how often can you bathe?Bandages if any would be removed mostly the next day. Sterile bandages will be used thereafter as there could be fluid drainage for a couple of days. The wound needs to be kept dry and clean all the while after the surgery. Sponge baths are advisable after surgery.
How soon can I get back on my feet?Rehab starts the moment you wake up in your recovery room. Straight leg raises are encouraged for mostly all patients during the first week. By the second or third week patient should be able to walk without crutches. Weight-bearing physiotherapy is allowed if there is no meniscus repair, after a couple of weeks. 0-140 degree range of motion for the leg is a good goal in the first two months. Working of the quadriceps may stretch the graft in the first three months so it would be better to do exercises that use the hamstrings to strengthen the quads while protecting the ACL graft. Running and swimming should not be done during the first five months.
For more information on recovery and rehabilitation after an ACL reconstruction surgery, it is best to consult a qualified and experienced ACL reconstruction surgery in Indore, MP like Dr. Manish Maheshwari. Book an appointment today call now us at 9826252228 for more information.