ACL WITH ALLOGRAFT AFTERCARE: WHAT TO EXPECT

by anodynedelaware | Aug 26, 2022 | Uncategorized

It’s not uncommon for athletes or someone who participates in regular physical activity to experience injuries. A common injury is a tear in the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) which is in the knee. The most common procedure to restore its function is to repair the reconstruction. That’s where ACL with allograft recovery can come into play.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE PROCEDURE FOR ACL WITH ALLOGRAFT

You will typically have ACL reconstruction surgery three to eight weeks after your injury to allow time for swelling to reduce. Your surgeon may even send you to physiotherapy during the weeks between your injury and your surgery to make sure your knee is as mobile as possible for the operation.

Prior to the procedure, you can expect your surgeon to complete a physical, ask about your medical history, and order blood work and other diagnostic tests. You may also need to sign a consent form.

The procedure for ACL with allograft reconstruction can be done using local or general anesthesia. A local anesthetic keeps you awake during the operation but blocks the pain from your knee area. A general anesthetic puts you to sleep during your operation, which means you may need to fast from food and drinks for six to 12 hours beforehand.

WHAT DOES THE PROCEDURE LOOK LIKE?

In the surgery to repair the ACL with allograft reconstruction, the surgeon makes two or three small incisions around the knee. The surgeon pumps sterile saline (salt) solution into the knee through one of the incisions to expand it and wash the blood from the area. This allows for the doctor to see the knee structures more clearly.

The surgeon then inserts an arthroscope into one of the other incisions that have a camera at the end of it to transmit pictures from inside the knee onto the TV monitor for the doctor to see. The surgeon drills small holes into the upper and lower leg bones to form tunnels through which the graft will be anchored. The surgeon ends by making another incision in the knee to insert the graft (the replacement tissue.)

WHAT DOES RECOVERY ENTAIL?

ACL with allograft reconstruction surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis, which means you do not spend a night in the hospital. You should expect to feel tired for several days, your knee — and possibly your ancle and shin — to be swollen and bruised, and experience numbness around the incision on your knee. 

You can reduce swelling by placing ice on the affected areas; most of the swelling should go away within a few days, and you should start seeing improvement in your knee function.

You need to keep the incision clean and dry while it heals and watch for any signs of infection.

Physical rehabilitation after ACL surgery can take several months to one year. The length of time in which you can return to normal activities or sports will vary by person but ranges from 4-6 months.

RISKS

Complications that may arise from ACL surgery or during rehabilitation and recovery include:

• Numbness in the surgical scar area
• Damage to structures, nerves, or blood vessels around and in the knee
• Blood clots in the leg
• Infection in the surgical incisions
• Limited range of motion such as straightening and bending your leg as far as the other leg
• Grating of the kneecap as it moves against the lower end of the thigh bone
• Repeat injury to the graft
• Pain, when kneeling at the site where the tendon graft was taken from the patellar tendon or at the side on the lower leg bone where a hamstring or patellar tendon graft is attached
• Problems with the graft tendon (loosening, stretching, reinjury, or scar tissue)

Anodyne Pain and Wellness Solutions of Delaware offers services to treat various body aches and pains, including knee pain.

If you are considering knee pain treatment, the professionals at Anodyne Pain and Wellness Solutions can answer any questions you may have.

WHAT CAUSES KNEE PAIN?

The human knee consists of four ligaments protected by the kneecap. Any of the components can suffer due to repetitive strain, injury, or disease. Running long distance and excessive physical activity can cause and worsen pain and inflammation of the knee joint.

HOW TO RELIEVE KNEE PAIN

You can treat knee pain from home using various forms of natural remedies including:

• Creams and rubs
• Essential oils
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain medications
• Supplements (turmeric, ginger, vitamin E)
• Therapies (ice or heat, massage, physical therapy)
• Lifestyle change (exercise, diet, reduce stress)

KNEE PAIN TREATMENTS

Treatments for any knee pain can include:

• Chiropractic care
• Cold laser therapy
• Mesenchymal cell therapy
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
• Regenerative injections