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