Conditions & Treatments

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction - Post-surgery care

After ACL surgery, move your ankles up and down an average of 10 times every 10 minutes. Continue this exercise for two to three days to promote blood circulation and to prevent blood clots from forming in your legs.

Elevation

Keep your operated leg elevated with a pillow. Do not put pillows behind your knee because this limits motion of the knee. Place the pillow under your heel and calf.

Take pain medication

Expected pain and discomfort for the first few days. Take pain medications s prescribed.

Care of wound dressing

The dressing on your knee is usually removed the day after surgery. Keep the wound clean and dry.

Monitor for signs and symptoms of infection

Fever
Inrease in pain
Discharges from the surgical wound
Redness and swelling

Knee Brace

Keep knee brace on as instructed by your surgeon. DO NOT attempt to adjust the degree of the knee brace
Knee brace should be worn continuously for the first six weeks even while you are asleep
All straps of the knee brace should be tightened to prevent slip when walking