Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Reconstruction
Dr. John Theodoropoulos and the Department of
Physiotherapy
Mount Sinai Hospital
600 University Avenue, Room 1160
TORONTO, ONTARIO
M5G 1X5
416-586-4800 X5035
What happens after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction?
What activities can I do?
- Pump your ankles up and down to decrease swelling and to prevent the formation of blood
clots in your legs. Do this for several days following the surgery until you are up and
moving
- During the fist seven to 10 days, the goal is to decrease swelling, increase comfort and
begin strengthening. Perform straight leg lift exercises by lifting the leg with the knee
straight while lying down on your back. Do 10 sets at least three to four ties per day
- You should begin physiotherapy as directed by your surgeon. Therefore please make the
necessary arrangements for physiotherapy at a location convenient to your home.
- You will wake up with a brace (knee immobilizer) and bandages around your knee. Please
keep the brace on while walking and at night until your first post-operative visit. It is OK
to loosen the straps on the brace if it becomes too tight. Two weeks following surgery
the brace may be discontinued.
- You will need to to bring crutches to the hospital to help you with your balance. You may
purchase crutches from the
- Follow your surgeon's specific instructions on how long you should use your crutches.
When using crutches, keep your foot flat (do not "tip toe"). You may place as much
weight on your leg as tolerated. If your surgery requires restricted weight bearing, your
surgeon will inform you prior to discharge.
What care does my incision and operative leg need?
- As per your surgeons instructions, you can remove the outer dressing 2-5 days after
surgery and apply bandages on the incisions.
- If you have steri-strips (small tape strips over the incisions) they can be left in place until
your first post-op visit.
- Non-absorbed stitches or staples have been used, they will be removed at your first postop visit.
- Keep all surgical incisions clean and dry.
- Keep the leg elevated as much as possible over the first one to two weeks following
surgery.
- Elevation of the leg should aim to keep the knee straight.
- DO NOT elevate the knee by placing pillows directly behind the knee – this will encourage
the knee to get stiff in a bent position.
- For the first week ice your knee several times/day with a cooling device (if ordered by your
surgeon) or ice packs wrapped in a towel. DO NOT put a cooling device or ice packs
directly on your skin.
- You can purchase the Cryocuff cooling unit in the office. Manual $250 Automatic $350
- Ice should be applied for 20 minutes on and 40 minutes off.
Can I have a bath/shower?
- On your surgeon's advice you may shower 2 days after your surgery. If you can do so,
keep the dressing dry with a waterproof cover. Remove wet bandages and apply new
ones.
- Avoid rubbing your incision. Pat the knee dry with a towel and apply tensor bandages if
instructed to do so.
- Do not soak the knee in water (bath/ pool/Jacuzzi) until instructed by your surgeon.
What type of food should I eat?
- Begin with fluids and gradually resume your usual diet once you get home.
- Eat foods high in fibre such as vegetables, fruits and whole grain bread and cereal to
avoid constipation that may occur as a result of your pain medication.
- Drink fluids normally (six to eight glasses per day or one glass every two to three hours).
Do I need medication after surgery?
- A local anesthetic may have been administered to your groin or directly to your knee at the
time of surgery. When this wears off, you may feel discomfort for several days. You will
be given a prescription for pain. Use only as directed.
- 24 hours after your surgery, while you are taking narcotic pain medication and while
using crutches you cannot drive a motor vehicle. It is recommended you do not
drive for 3-4 weeks.
- Some common side-effects of pain medication include nausea, drowsiness and
constipation. If constipation occurs, consider taking an over-the-counter stool softener
or laxative.
When can I go back to work/sports?
- Plan to take one to two weeks off from work. Depending on the kind of work you do, you
might be able to resume work as the pain and swelling subside. Some types of work prohibit
returning to full duty until after several weeks of therapy. Discuss returning to work with your
surgeon and your employer prior to surgery
- Discuss specifics with your surgeon prior to returning to athletics and sports.
What normal symptoms might I have experience?
- It is normal to have pain in the knee for several days and even weeks after the procedure.
- Also, in some cases, oozing or spotting from the incision sites may persist for several
hours or days.
When should I contact my doctor?
- If you have excessive symptoms such as:
•fever >38.5oC after the first 48 hours
•any unusual drainage or excessive bleeding from your incision
•increasing calf tenderness, redness or swelling
•Any sudden or severe pain that is unresponsive to prescribed medications.
•redness around your incisions
•difficulty breathing
•excessive nausea or vomiting
- In case of emergency, go to the emergency department at your surgeon’s primary hospital
or the closest emergency department
- A post- operative appointment should be scheduled for one to two weeks after your
surgery. If you don’t already have a follow- up appointment with your surgeon please
call the office directly to arrange one.
DRAFT revised Aug 21, 2013