After Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 6, 2024.
AMBULATORY CARE:
Call 911 for the following:
- You have sudden shortness of breath or chest pain.
- You cough up blood.
Seek care immediately if:
- Blood soaks through your bandage.
- Your stitches come apart.
- You fall on your knee.
- You have pain in your lower leg.
- Your leg or toes feel numb, tingly, cool to the touch, or look blue or pale.
Contact your healthcare provider if:
- You have a fever.
- You have severe pain in your knee or trouble moving around, even after you take your pain medicine.
- Your wound is swollen, red, or draining pus.
- Your skin is itchy, swollen, or has a rash.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Medicines:
- Prescription pain medicine may be given. Do not wait until your pain is severe before you take more pain medicine.
- Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
Wound care:
- Keep your bandage and stitches clean and dry. Do not remove the bandage over your wound or get it wet unless your healthcare provider says it is okay. Ask when you can bathe. Do not trim or shorten the ends of your stitches. If the stitches rub against your clothing, you can put a soft gauze bandage between the stitches and your clothes. Strips of medical tape that were placed over your incision will start to peel off on their own. If they have not fallen off within 14 days, you can carefully peel them off.
- Wash your hands. Always wash your hands before and after you care for your wound to prevent infection.
- Change your bandage and clean your wound as directed. Ask for help if you cannot reach your wound. Do not put powders or lotions over your wound. Check your incision every day for signs of infection such as redness, swelling, or pus.
Elevate your knee:
Keep your knee raised above the level of your heart as often as you can. This will help decrease or limit swelling. Elevate your knee by resting it on pillows. Do not put a pillow directly under your knee. Place the pillow under your calf or ankle.
Apply ice:
Ice helps decrease swelling and pain. Ice may also help prevent tissue damage. Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover it with a towel and place it on your wound for 15 to 20 minutes every hour. Use the ice for as long as directed.
Activity:
Rest your joint so it can heal. Return to normal activities as directed. Your healthcare provider will tell you when you can start putting weight on your knee. You may be able soon after surgery, but it will be likely be painful at first. Do not climb stairs or play sports until your healthcare provider says it is okay.
Apply compression:
Ask your healthcare provider if you should wrap an elastic bandage around your injured ligament. Compression provides support and helps decrease swelling and movement so your joint can heal. Do not wrap the bandage tightly. It should be snug, but you should be able to slip a finger between the bandage and your skin.
Go to physical therapy (PT) as directed:
PT is used to help you improve movement and strength, and to decrease pain. It is important that you go to all PT sessions and do all exercises you are given.
A continuous passive motion (CPM) machine
is a device that slowly and gently moves your joint while you are in bed. The machine can increase your range of motion, strengthen your muscles, and decrease pain. Your healthcare provider may tell you use a CPM machine with other treatments, such as physical therapy. Ask your healthcare provider how to use a CPM machine.
Use support devices as directed:
- A knee brace may be used to limit your movement and protect your knee. Your healthcare provider will tell you when you can unlock the brace. Keep it locked at all other times. Ask your healthcare provider for more information about your knee brace.
- Crutches may help decrease your pain as you move around. Crutches help decrease strain on your knee. Use crutches as directed.
Driving:
You may need to wait about 2 weeks before you can start driving again. You may need to wait longer if surgery was on the leg you use when you drive.
Follow up with your healthcare provider as directed:
You may need to return to have your stitches removed. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
Further information
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