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ACL rehabilitation generally takes four to six months. Therefore, it used to be that surgeons postponed ACL surgery until children stopped growing, or used surgical techniques that were not anatomically accurate. The ligament may not completely heal following surgery, even if it is not completely destroyed. You should experiment with different positions if you have knee pain to determine which one is best for you. Lastly, elevating your leg helps to keep your range of motion. So, as a result, it is critical to be patient and to follow the instructions given by your doctor. Using crutches to keep weight off of the leg that was operated on. Following ACL surgery, you should be able to walk without difficulty. After several months of physical therapy, the athlete will be able to start slowly returning to their prior level of activity. Exercise can help speed the recovery process by decreasing edema and stretching the ACL. If so, when did it start getting better for you? 2012;109:769-755. How Long Should You Wear an ACL Brace After ACL Surgery? Tip #1: Consume nutrient-dense foods from various food groups. She has experience in primary care and hospital medicine. It is unhealthy to keep it this way for an extended period of time, and you may develop scar tissue or arthrofibrosis. Appointments with your healthcare provider are generally scheduled at the following points after surgery: During these appointments, your surgeon will evaluate your knee's range of motion, strength, and functioning. After ACL reconstruction surgery, there are less likely cases of difficult knee bending (or flexion). Easy access to healthcare through your device, Many athletes know that nutrition is important for optimal performance, but its also just as critical, . But rushing back to intense exercise too quickly, having poor mechanics or muscle weakness, or neglecting to fuel your body for muscle building can only delay recovery further or set you up for additional injuries. After ACL surgery, most patients are able to sleep without a brace after 6 to 8 weeks. Protein is especially important in helping to rebuild muscle after surgery. Most patients wear a brace until the doctor recommends removing it. Pain and inflammation are the main reasons why getting to sleep after ACL surgery is so challenging. 2020 Mar;42:82-90.doi:10.1016/j.ptsp.2020.01.004, Mavros MN, Athanasiou S, Gkegkes ID, Polyzos KA, Peppas G, Falagas ME. The joint will heal properly during this time without causing any stress to the newly-fixed ligaments. Doing these exercises as directed will help to ensure a successful recovery. Speak to your doctor or surgeon about using prescribed medication to help you sleep. Brandon Callahan, MD is a board-certified orthopedic physician with a decade of experience in providing comprehensive orthopedic care to patients with musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. Recovery time also varies from patient to patient. To determine whether a tear is partial or complete, a doctor will perform two manual tests: In patients who have only a partial tear, it may be recommended to delay surgery and first see if the ligament heals without it. It is a good idea to begin with drop and dangle exercises in my rehabilitation program. ACL repair was performed in the 1970s at select institutions, including Hospital for Special Surgery, but was abandoned due to unacceptably high failure rates of up to 50%. This will help to reduce the amount of swelling and pain you are experiencing. The act of replacing worn-out knees can alleviate pain and restore joint function in severely compromised joints. Is it common to get insomnia after surgery? It is important to start physical therapy as soon as your doctor recommends it.