
If opioids are prescribed, they should be taken only for breakthrough pain as they have many side effects and a significant risk of addiction.įollow your surgeon's advice on when to ice your knee, how long to use crutches and when it's safe to bear weight on your knee. Your doctor might prescribe stronger medications, such as meloxicam (Mobic), tramadol (Ultram, Qdolo, ConZip) or oxycodone (Ox圜ontin, Roxicodone, others). Medications to help with pain relief include over-the-counter drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve). In general, it's important to keep your leg elevated, apply a cold wrap or ice to your knee, and rest as much as possible.
#TORN ACL SURGERY HOW TO#
Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to control swelling and pain after surgery. Before you go home, you'll practice walking with crutches, and your surgeon may ask you to wear a knee brace or splint to help protect the graft. Once you recover from the anesthesia, you can go home the same day. The graft will serve as scaffolding on which new ligament tissue can grow. Your surgeon will drill sockets or tunnels into your thighbone and shinbone to accurately position the graft, which is then secured to your bones with screws or other devices. This replacement tissue is called a graft and it comes from another part of your knee or a tendon from a deceased donor. Your surgeon will remove your damaged ligament and replace it with a segment of tendon.

ACL reconstruction is usually done through small incisions - one to hold a thin, tube-like video camera and others to allow surgical instruments access to the joint space. General anesthesia is typically used during ACL reconstruction, so you'll be unconscious during the procedure. If you regularly take blood-thinning medications, your doctor may ask you to stop taking these types of drugs for at least a week before surgery to reduce your risk of bleeding.įollow your doctor's instructions about when to stop eating, drinking and taking any other medication the night before your surgery. Tell your surgeon about any medications or dietary supplements you take.
#TORN ACL SURGERY FULL#
People who go into surgery with a stiff, swollen knee may not regain full range of motion after surgeryĪCL reconstruction is an outpatient procedure, so you'll be able to go home the same day. The goal before surgery is to reduce pain and swelling, restore your knee's full range of motion, and strengthen muscles. Other risks associated with ACL reconstruction include:īefore your surgery, you'll likely undergo several weeks of physical therapy. And, as with any surgery, bleeding and infection at the surgical site are potential risks. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic RisksĪCL reconstruction is a surgical procedure.


