The majority of patients are fit to be discharged home within 24hrs
and some patients go home the day of anterior cruciate ligament
reconstruction. 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.
Painkillers and/or anti-inflammatory tablets are provided by the
hospital for the first few days following ligament reconstruction
and advice will be offered prior to leaving hospital. Regular painkillers
and/or anti-inflammatory medication are important to allow early
mobilisation.
The large wool and crepe bandage should be removed 24-48 hrs following
your ligament reconstruction. 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.
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.
You may take a shower or bathe from the day after ligament reconstruction
providing you keep the wound areas completely dry. Provided the
wounds have healed, they can be soaked from day 5.
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.
Out-patient physiotherapy will normally start within a week of your
ligament reconstruction. This must be with an experienced knee physiotherapist
and will follow a structured program in order to get the best results
from your ligament reconstruction 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)
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.
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 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery depends
upon complying with the rehabilitation programme which must be supervised
by your physiotherapist.
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.
If you experience any of the above please contact the Hospital for
advice.
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