137K views 4 years ago ACL Injury Recovery and Rehabilitation 2.26K subscribers Subscribe 927 137K views 4 years ago Click here for your Free. Icing your knee regularly to reduce swelling and pain. As a result of elevating your injury too high, blood flow may be restricted, resulting in pain and swelling. One of the most effective ways to sleep better after ACL surgery is to take OTC (over-the-counter) or doctor-prescribed pain medications to help reduce discomfort, inflammation, and swelling. Am I correct in assuming that the only way to know to stop elevating it is when the swelling is completely gone? Several factors are associated with severe acute pain after surgery, including psychological factors and severe preoperative pain. We can not guarantee its completeness or reliability so please use caution. I have trouble finding a comfortable position and I wake up often. It usually takes six to nine months for a patient to return to participating in sports after an ACL reconstruction, depending on the level of competition and the type of activity. Strengthening and range-of-motion exercises are started early in the recovery period. Fourth, if you are still having pain after doing all of these things, you may want to talk to your doctor about getting a cortisone injection. Wearing a compression bandage and icing for 15 to 20 minutes four to five times per day is sufficient. This information should not be used to provide medical advice or to make recommendations about medicine. You can aid in your recovery, and the speed at which it happens, by following your healthcare provider's instructions fully. Most of all, don't stay silent if you're having trouble sleeping. Elevating your knee for a short period of time may help with swelling, but it should not be done while sleeping. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the ACL. Focusing on eating varied and quality foods is key to ensuring your body has the building supplies it needs to heal your ACL injury and get you, Knee injuries of any kind can be tricky but rehabilitation after. Initially, the brace will be locked straight for walking. Short-term pain and weakness of the knee Some people experience pain or weakness of the knee over time. You should experiment with different positions if you have knee pain to determine which one is best for you. How To Sleep After Acl Surgery - Sleep Savvy. In some cases, a surgical graft may be required in order to aid the healing process. An athlete who is underfueling wont be able to sustain higher levels of exertion in physical therapy, which can delay progress. They may also worry about their recovery after the operation or whether the surgery was successful. Stuart Hershman, MD, is board-certified in orthopaedic surgery. The meniscus is a pad of cartilage that cushions the bones that meet at the knee joint. Some people are concerned about damaging their reconstruction. After ACL surgery, it is important to monitor your progress and healing to ensure that everything is going according to plan. With the surgery behind you, you should now take some time to relax. Although quality sleep is important for healing and recovery, sleep disturbances are commonplace in the days and weeks following a surgical procedure. One of the advantages of starting out slowly is that the recovery time can be reduced by months. Likewise, if you have an injury and you dont consume the right vitamins and minerals that are necessary for bone density, nerve tissue, and muscle development, you will recover more poorly. Other than that, all I can think is this is from lack of sleep. It is not uncommon for athletes who have torn their ACL to tear the cartilage as well. Your knee is not swelling excessively. You are able to perform all of your normal activities without pain or difficulty. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. 1: Manage Pain With OTC or Doctor Prescribed Medications. Even an over-the-counter medication, such as Benadryl, can cause breathing problems when combined with pain medication. Within the first few weeks, sleeping on either your back or side is commonly considered to be the most comfortable position. Try to avoid activities that put too much stress on your ACL graft, such as running or playing sports. It is possible to walk on your own without crutches after two weeks if you do not need to use crutches. It is important to consult with your doctor if you are experiencing pain or stiffness in your knee after ACL surgery. Long-term pain and instability can be caused by ACL surgery, which is a serious procedure. Fifth, if you are still having pain after all of these things, you may want to talk to your doctor about having surgery to remove the hardware that was placed during your ACL surgery. Please Enable Location Services in Your Browser Settings to Continue. The knee can be Mobilized by performing 1/2 kneeling couch stretch, 90/90 hip ER/IR, or knee to wall ankle Mobilizations. Some tips for a successful ACL surgery recovery include: 1. There are several reasons why your doctor may recommend that you elevate your leg after ACL surgery. The process of restoring knee extension after surgery is critical because once it becomes tight, you may struggle to regain motion. The standard method of ACL reconstruction can be performed successfully on older teenagers. He is the director of adult spinal deformity & complex spinal reconstruction at Massachusetts General Hospital and is on the faculty at Harvard Medical School. Eventually, the athlete will be able to return to their pre-injury level of activity with no restrictions. However, evidence suggests it is usually short term. A well-rested person will also be better equipped to deal with the stresses of recovery. Prevention of complications in orthopedic surgery secondary to nutritional depletion. Motion loss, particularly the loss of full knee extension, is the most common cause of lower outcomes after an ACL reconstruction. It is critical to take steps toward walking normally and improving your gait after ACL surgery. You are able to walk without limping. Loss of range of motion in your knee. Clin Orthop Relat Res. The dose and type will depend on age and weight, and other factors. Swelling can cause pain and increase the risk of developing a blood clot. They will likely give you specific exercises to help improve range of motion and knee strength. Very soon after surgery, the patient enters a rehabilitation program to restore strength, stability and range of motion to the knee. If you experience any discomfort or swelling, you should consult with your surgeon as soon as possible. To prevent psychological factors from impacting your emotional well-being and recovery, consider these strategies: You will most likely have two to three incision sites covered by a large bandage around your knee after surgery. Over time, these plugs will grow into the surrounding bone. To determine whether a tear is partial or complete, a doctor will perform two manual tests: In patients who have only a partial tear, it may be recommended to delay surgery and first see if the ligament heals without it. Second, try to keep your leg elevated as much as possible. It is unhealthy to keep it this way for an extended period of time, and you may develop scar tissue or arthrofibrosis.