2yrs without an ACL

by Ashley
(Pasadena, CA)

I first injured my knee about 4-5 years ago playing basketball with a partial ACL tear so they would not operate on it. I rehabed it and began to play basketball again. Then a year later with the customize ACL brace for high impact sports I actually tore my ACL completly, I recoverd so fast that I thought it was still a partial tear ir a sprain knee and began to work and play even harder. Then this March I played in a basketball tournament and injured it badly I knew it had to been completly gone this time. Collectly it was the 3rd time I would learn my lesson and now I have just had ACL reconstructive surgery. After the surgery I felt help-less because you can't do simple things like showering and going to the bathroom. After the first week the pain was gone I didn't use any of the pain killers I figure to save those for therapy.lol. Now its the 3rd week after the surgery and the swelling is down a little but its still swollen. What can I do to get this swelling down fast? FYI Im not using crutches at all...

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2yrs without an ACL

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Apr 21, 2009
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Swelling
by: Rebecca Kemp

Ashley - I am one week post op & have taken others advice of ICE ICE ICE. I am still on crutches, and the big ole robo brace - but when i'm on the couch I almost always have a 5 lb bag of ice on my knee. My therapist said that if I hadn't iced it as much as I have been, along with elevation then the swelling would be worse. It also depends on how much you are pushing yourself. The more you push, the more your body will protest during these early few weeks after major surgery. Personally, I've decided to stop fighting and listen to my body - not something i'm great at doing!

Best of luck to you.

May 01, 2009
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re: 2 yrs without an ACL
by: Anonymous

HI,

my story is almost identical except my sport was soccer. I had surgery on Dec 2nd (4 months ago)and my therapist said the other day I still have a small amount of swelling so don't get discouraged. It takes a long time for it to diminish completely. Just work through it and it will fell better soon. At 3-4 weeks my knee started to feel better at a faster rate. My advice to you is keep icing it, especially after exercises and make sure you do them. Good luck!