ACL reconstruction_recovery_pain in center of knee

by Nadine
(Quebec, Canada)

Hi Bart,

I am a 28-year old woman. I tore my ACL 2 years ago while running outdoors. My left foot got stuck in the snow, my leg hyperextended, and "POP". I finally had ACL reconstruction in my left knee a little over 2 weeks ago, using the hamstring tendon as donor graft. During the arthroscopy, my surgeon said my meniscus was still intact. Recovery is going well. I have reached 107 degrees flexion, which my therapist said is very impressive at this point.

I have 2 concerns right now:

1) I walk using a brace, and still occasionally use crutches if I'm feeling too tired. However, when I walk, and my operated knee slightly bends, I can sometimes feel a "click" inside my knee, as though the bones are rubbing together or shifting back into place. It is not accompanied by pain though. Is this normal?

2) Yesterday, I was sitting, and as I got up from the chair, I suddenly got this sharp pain in the center of my operated knee, which lingered for a while. I thought I would die. My knee is now sore when I extend/bend it. I'm afraid I may have caused some more damage. Could I have possible damaged the meniscus? I've been reading that meniscal tears can happen just by simply getting up from a squatting position.

Should I be worried?

Thanks

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ACL reconstruction_recovery_pain in center of knee

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Dec 14, 2008
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knee pain
by: Bart - SII

The clicking is likely not anything to be too worried about, especially if there is no pain. Clicking after an ACL reconstruction is very normal, and can be caused by lots of different things. It likely will get better and lessen over time. You should discuss your new pain with your therapist and or physician. It could just be part of the healing and recovery process, but just to be same have them take a look at your knee.

Bart

Jun 09, 2009
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acl surgery
by: jil

i had acl repair surgery the end of march. my knee pops all the time, and when i do certain things like straighten it completely, then try to bend it back down, it is like 2 bones shift and it hurts. it also does this if i turn quickly or if i try to rotate my knee without moving my whole leg. it is scaring me, other than that, my recovery is going well, but there is no way i could do all normal things if it stays like this. what could it be??