| Going through ACL Reconstruction surgery isn't easy | | | | 4. Take your meds as instructed by your physician! |
| for anybody. The pain, discomfort, swelling and | | | | He/She has prescribed them to you for a reason. |
| foreignness of experiencing what is fundamentally an | | | | Consider - your medications are not only to help |
| immobile limb will be quite a deviation from the | | | | alleviate pain, but to help reduce inflammation from |
| normality of your daily routine. | | | | the surgery. You are not a wimp if you take them! |
| This particularly holds true for the active adult who | | | | 5. Ask for help from those that are close to you. |
| chooses to or needs to have ACL Reconstruction | | | | You could probably get through the recovery |
| Surgery. One day you are at least able to move | | | | process on your own, but you should rely on those |
| around on your own, and the next you're completely | | | | who can and will assist you wherever and whenever |
| confined to a resting position. Nevertheless, with | | | | needed. |
| some patience, hard work and dedication, you will be | | | | 6. Request that the limited area within your home |
| back to your active lifestyle, even stronger than you | | | | that you will be moving through be kept |
| were before surgery. | | | | comparatively orderly. You'll need to be on crutches, |
| The 1st month after the operation is hard - you're | | | | and you don't need to be navigating on crutches |
| mostly restricted to a bed except for hygiene | | | | through a floor full of toys and scattered laundry |
| purposes, the swelling in your leg and ankle may be | | | | across the room as you are trying to learn how to |
| heavy and the pain will ebb and flow as the day goes | | | | use them. |
| on. However, there are steps that you can take to | | | | 7. Ask your doctor if a stool softener would be |
| make the recovery process as quick and productive | | | | appropriate to take during your while you are taking |
| as possible. | | | | your pain medications. Some of the meds that are |
| 1. Prior to surgery, organize the area where you will | | | | prescribed to ease the pain and swelling can cause |
| be recuperating after the surgery. Try to accumulate | | | | constipation, and a stool softener will help oneself |
| some reading materials (magazines, books, | | | | counteract this possibility. |
| newspapers, trade publications, etc), make sure that | | | | 8. Remain well hydrated. Drinking water may be the |
| you have a wireless or cordless phone close and | | | | last thing you feel like doing as you are lying in bed, |
| gather enough blankets & pillows so you can support | | | | but make sure to not deprive your body of it's |
| and elevate the repaired knee joint. If you have a | | | | needed fluid intake. |
| laptop, make a point to bring it's power cord to your | | | | 9. Ice, ice, ice, ice and ice. Along with your |
| recuperation area and ensure that your wireless | | | | medications, ice will help reduce inflammation, swelling |
| internet (if applicable) is operational to help pass the | | | | and pain. Make sure to stick to your doctor's |
| time. | | | | recommendation as to the icing time interval and |
| 2. If you've young children, prepare them for the | | | | frequency for your recently repaired knee. |
| reality that you are going to be immobile for a period | | | | If you abide by your doctor's orders, be diligent |
| of time and that they can't rough-house around you. | | | | about treating yourself right during your post-surgery |
| The last thing you need is a toddler accidentally | | | | recuperation, give your body the repose it needs and |
| tumble into you as you are hobbling around the | | | | keep a positive mental attitude, before long you'll be |
| house. | | | | onto the next stage of your road to final recovery - |
| 3. Take it easy for the period right after surgery and | | | | the start of physical therapy and relatively normal |
| right before your first PT session. Give your whole | | | | activity. |
| being - head, leg and spirit - time to heal. Remember - | | | | The information in this article is for educational |
| you've just undertaken a major surgical procedure | | | | purposes only and does not constitute medical advice |
| and you need to have a solid recovery period to | | | | or medical services. If you have or suspect that you |
| ensure you are able to spring back to your prior, | | | | have a medical problem, promptly contact your |
| normal self. | | | | doctor promptly. |