What is the ACL?
ACL refers to Anterior Cruciate Ligament. It is an integral part of the knee that helps to attach the quadriceps and hamstring muscle groups to the lower leg bones.
What happens during ACL surgery?
The ligament that gets torn in the knee is removed and replaced with new tissue from the other part of your knee, or a deceased donor’s knee part could be used. Rather than doing an open-knee surgery, doctors make minor cuts around the knee joint and insert four interference screws to fix the knee. It helps to reduce the scarring on the skin and reduces the risk of systemic infection by completely opening up the knee.
Who gets ACL surgery?
Torn ligaments and reconstructions are among the most common injuries faced by athletes, especially in sports like soccer and football. The quick jerks, rotation movements and constant motion of the knee joint performed in these sports can cause the ligament to tear or completely separate from the knee joint. The surgery on the knee might be recommended if you’re super active or if the injury is causing your knee a lot of pressure and pain.
How Should You Prepare?
Here are a few tips to prep for your surgery:
- Stay active: Do Exercise daily, especially for the bones, which helps to promote strength building and keep the range of motion at its maximum.
- Eat well: Eat many healthy foods and keep your metabolism strong and running.
- Follow Instructions: Listen to your surgeon and try to follow each and everything they prescribe you to do, including the medications or what to wear to the surgery, etc.
- Person to assist: Make sure you have someone to drive you home safely after the surgery because you could face difficulty while going home.
What will you need after ACL Surgery?
The doctor may prescribe that you take the help crutches to keep the body weight off your healing knee. It may be difficult and uncomfortable at first, and it takes some time to learn how to use it properly, but there are many other accessories available that can help keep your knee comfortable.
Bathing could also be a tough challenge during a recovery phase. If you find yourself having trouble while taking a shower, there are aids like rubberized knee braces, suction, unique bath mats that can keep you feeling soft and safe footed, even on one leg. But if you can’t manage the balancing, you can take the help of shower chairs.
The Recovery Process
The time after your surgery is just as important as the preparation time and can determine how well your knee heals. Therefore, following your surgeon’s instructions for wound care, rehabilitation, and medication specifications is essential.
Your knee may get a little swollen and painful after the surgery—however, follow instructions, take your medications, and proper rest.
During your recovery time, you would most likely be sent to a physiotherapist to help your knee develop the muscles and range of motion through some exercises.
