Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Your Pre-surgery Work Up
A date will be made for you to be seen by a Physical Therapist (PT). At this time you will be given a brace, ice unit, crutches and exercise instructions. You will need to bring the brace, ice unit and crutches with you the day of the surgery.
You will also have a date made for you to be seen in the Sports Medicine Clinic. You will be seen by the Sports Medicine RN, the Physician Assistant, and your surgeon. The Sports Medicine RN will talk with you about how to get ready for your surgery. You will have a physical exam and the surgery will be explained to you by the Physician Assistant and your surgeon. You will sign your consent forms.
You will be given prescriptions for pain medicine at your work-up. Be sure to take these to your pharmacy and have ready before the day of your surgery. This medicine is for after your surgery. We will tell you how to take them.
On the day of your work-up, you will make an appointment for a clinic visit after surgery. Your first PT visit(s) should also be scheduled before your surgery.
Anesthesia for ACL Reconstruction
Prior to surgery, staff will discuss your options such as having general or epidural anesthesia. You will also be offered a nerve block. The nerve block is done either before or after surgery. The nerve block will help lessen your pain for a few hours or more after surgery. It is important to stay on top of your pain by also taking the oral pain medicine as directed. If you have continued numbness or tingling once the block has worn off, notify your doctor.
After surgery you will be in your brace up to 4 weeks. Your doctor or PT will decide when you are ready to walk without your crutches.
Patients having ACL reconstruction go home the same day.
Dr. Baer
• You will not have a drain.
• PT should be scheduled for 1-3 days after surgery. Your dressing will be
changed and the ice unit pad removed. You will be told how to do home
exercises. Schedule your PT appointments before surgery.
• You can shower 72 hours after surgery. Shower with your brace on covering
it with a plastic bag. Tape or tie the top of the bag so you do not get the
brace wet.
• After your 1 week post-op visit, you can shower out of the brace. You can
then let the water run over the incisions while you shower.
• After you shower put the brace on and lock. Place new band aids on the
incisions after you shower.
• Do not put the incisions under water for 3 weeks. No swimming, hot tub or
tub baths.
• You will return to PT the week after surgery.
• You will return to the clinic one week after surgery. Your stitches will be
taken out at this time.
• No NSAIDS (Naproxen or Ibuprofen) for 2 weeks after surgery
Dr. Clancy
• You will not have a drain.
• PT should be scheduled for 1-3 days after surgery. Your dressing will be
changed and the ice unit pad removed. You will be told how to do home
exercises. Schedule your PT appointments before surgery.
• You can shower 72 hours after surgery. Shower with your brace on covering
it with a plastic bag. Tape or tie the top of the bag so you do not get the
brace wet.
• After your 2 week post-op visit, you can shower out of the brace. You can
then let the water run over the incisions while you shower.
• After you shower put the brace on and lock. Place new band aids on the
incisions after you shower.
• Do not put the incisions under water for 3 weeks. No swimming, hot tub or
tub baths.
• You will return to PT the week after surgery.
• You will return to the clinic two weeks after surgery. Your stitches will be
taken out at this time.
• No NSAIDS (Naproxen or Ibuprofen) for 6 weeks after surgery
Dr. Graf /Dr. Keene
• A drain will be placed in the surgical area. The nurses in outpatient surgery
will show the person with you how to measure and empty the drain. The drain
will be emptied every 4-6 hours the night after surgery. You will call the doctor
if more than 200 ml emptied in 6 hours. This is also a good time to refill the
cooler!
• You will be seen in the clinic the day after the surgery. The drain will be
removed and the dressing changed. The ice unit pad will also be removed.
• After the dressing change you will go to PT to learn exercises you can do at
home.
• You can shower 72 hours after surgery.
• Shower in the brace covering it with a plastic bag. Tape or tie the top of the
bag to prevent the incisions and brace from getting wet. You will shower in
the brace for 2 weeks unless you are told it is ok to take it off. After you
shower cover the incisions with new band aids and rewrap the ace or TED.
hose.
• Do not get the incisions wet for 2 weeks after surgery.
• You will return to PT the week after surgery. You should schedule your PT
appointments before your surgery.
• On the day of your work up, you will schedule your 2 week after surgery clinic
visit.
• Your stitches will be removed at your 2 week clinic visit.
Dr. Scerpella
• You will not have a drain
• You will change your dressing at home 2-3 days after your surgery and
replace it with fresh gauze pads.
• You can shower 2-3 days after your surgery. Shower in the brace, covering it
with a plastic bag and taping or tying the bag at the top to keep the incisions
and brace dry.
• Shower in the brace until you no longer need to wear the brace to control
your leg.
• You will return to the clinic to see Dr. Scerpella and attend your first PT
appointment about one week after your surgery (this will be scheduled for you
before your surgery).
All patients
A white TED stocking will be put on your other leg at the time of surgery. The TED stocking helps to prevent a blood clot from forming in your leg.
• You may stop wearing the TED stocking after 24 hours or when you are up
and around. Once you are walking frequently through the day, you no longer
need to wear the stocking.
• If you have pain, swelling, warmth or redness in your calf area in either leg,
call the doctor. This could be a sign that you have a blood clot.
• Do not plan any traveling in an airplane for 2 weeks after your surgery.
Traveling in an airplane too soon after surgery may cause a blood clot in your
leg.
Do not drive while you are taking the pain medicine. If the ACL surgery was done on your right leg, you should not drive until your brace is unlocked. This may be 2 weeks or more.
The ability to return to work or school varies for each person. Many people are off work for 7-14 days. Talk with your doctor about when you may return to work or school.
Comfort
• Use the ice unit to help with swelling and pain. You may leave the ice
machine on (lowest setting) through the first night after surgery. If too cold,
you can turn the unit off for a few hours. Starting the day after surgery, you
should use the ice unit one hour on and one-two hours off as needed. You will
use the ice unit often during the first 1-2 weeks after surgery. The ice unit will
help with pain after you have PT.
• Use your pain pills as instructed and be sure to eat something to avoid
nausea. It is important to stay on top of your pain by taking these pain meds
as directed. Do not drive or operate machines while you are taking
narcotics. Drs. Graf, Keene and Scerpella may also prescribe anti-
inflammatory pills. Ibuprofen, Naproxen or Ketoralac (Toradol) to help reduce
the swelling and control your pain.
How to Use the Cooler:
First fill to the top of the blue mark with water.
Next, fill to the top of the yellow mark with ice.
Start with the dial turned to “max” flow rate. If it feels too cold, you can turn the dial down as needed.
Connect the hose couplings. You’ll hear 2 “clicks”.
Plug the adaptor in to start the unit working.
Refill the ice and water every 4 hours during the first night after surgery.
To disconnect:
Unplug the cooler.
Press both couplings to separate the hoses. A few drops of water will drip from hoses.
If the cooler does not seem to be cooling properly:
Check couplings to see if securely connected.
Check hoses for bends/kinks.
Check pad for bends/folds.
Check the level of ice and water in the cooler.
Check to make sure that the unit is plugged in.
When to Call the Doctor/Clinic
• Nausea/vomiting lasting more than 24 hours.
• If you have not had a bowel movement in 3 days.
• Pus like drainage
• Increased redness or warmth at the incision sites
• Excess swelling or bleeding
• Excessive drainage. Bleeding from incision site does not stop after 10
minutes of firm pressure. Drain site greater than 200mls in 4 hours.
• Extreme bruising
• Sudden shortness of breath
• Cramping or swelling in operative leg
• Leg or foot becomes cool or dark
• Leg or foot becomes numb or tingling.
• Pain not relieved by pain pills, elevation and ice.
Phone Numbers
Please call if you have any questions or concerns.
Sports Medicine Clinic:
Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm
(608) 263-8850
After hours call the clinic number and your call will be forward to the paging operator. Ask for the orthopedic resident on call. Leave your name and phone number. The doctor will call you back.
24 Hour Toll Free Number
1-800-323-8942.
The Spanish version of this HFFY is #6394.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 10/11/2012
Copyright © 06/28/2012 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#5061
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