ACL Reconstruction

When do I go home?
The majority of patients are fit to be discharged home within 24hrs and some patients go home the day of surgery. Your surgeon will advise a plan for discharge based on the specific surgery and physiotherapist recommendations.

It is important to have a responsible adult at home for 24 hrs following a general anaesthetic.

Will I require painkillers?
Painkillers and/or anti-inflammatory tablets are provided by the hospital for the first few days following surgery and advice will be offered prior to leaving hospital. Regular painkillers and/or anti-inflammatory medication are important to allow early mobilisation.

When do I remove my dressings?
The large wool and crepe bandage should be removed 24-48 hrs following your operation. The small dressings over each wound should be left on for 5 days and then removed providing all leakage has stopped. Re-apply a fresh dry dressing or plaster if there is still any leakage from the wound.

What can I do at home?
For the first few days, try to keep the leg elevated when sitting down and rest as much as possible. Do your exercises frequently. You can put as much weight through the knee as comfortable but the muscles around the knee will be weak and therefore crutches are encouraged for support for a few days. The hospital physiotherapists will give you specific advice prior to discharge from hospital.

When can I take a shower?
You may take a shower or bathe from the day after surgery providing you keep the wound areas completely dry. Provided the wounds have healed, they can be soaked from day 5.

When can I drive?
In order to drive safely you must have regained good muscle control of the operated leg. This is normally at least 2 weeks following surgery. Advice can be sought from your surgeon or physiotherapist.

When will I start physiotherapy?
Out-patient physiotherapy will normally start within a week of your operation. This must be with an experienced knee physiotherapist and will follow a structured program in order to get the best results from your surgery. There are important activity restrictions over the first few months following ACL reconstruction and these will be explained fully by your physiotherapist. If these restrictions are ignored there is a significant chance that the surgery will fail.
(Related topic > Physiotherapy)

When can I return to work?
This depends on the recovery from surgery and the type of work. Some patients have more complicated surgery which may require extra restrictions. The majority of office-type workers can return within 2 weeks, whilst those patients who need to stand for long periods may need 2-3 weeks off work. Heavy manual work or patients whose jobs require carrying or lifting may not return to work until advised by their surgeon or physiotherapist.

Should I do exercises at home?
Simple exercises will normally be demonstrated by the physiotherapists prior to leaving hospital. These must be performed regularly as well as frequent ice application to reduce swelling etc.. Further exercises will be explained by your physiotherapist. The success of ACL reconstruction surgery depends upon complying with the rehabilitation programme which must be supervised by your physiotherapist.

What are the possible complications following surgery?
Serious complications are uncommon following knee ligament reconstruction but can occur. These include infection, blood clots (or DVT – deep vein thrombosis), excessive swelling, bleeding and damage to blood vessels or nerves

Warning signs you should look out for are:

• Fever / Chills above 38ºC (100.4ºF).
• Persistent warmth or redness around the knee.
• Persistent or increased pain.
• Significant swelling, tingling or numbness in your knee/leg which is not relieved by elevating the leg for one hour.
• Increasing pain in your calf muscles.
• Shortness of breath or chest pain.