Alan's ACL Hamstring Graft

by Alan Eisele
(Lansing, MI)

Three days post op

Still On the Mend
9:36:11 PM 2/4/2009


Well, it has been two weeks since I underwent ACL reconstruction. I feel pretty good and I am ready to start physical therapy. The doc says I have good range of motion for two weeks and the residual numbness may take a few months to resolve. The saphenous nerve is retracted and is subject to some compression trauma during the procedure. There is still some pain and flexibility issues, but I feel as though I am returning to mobility quickly. I am using a cane as opposed to the crutches I used to get around on the first week.
I had a femoral block which consists of an injection in the inguinal fold of about 40cc’s of marcaine. The block lasted a full week, with a gradual lessening of efficacy after 36 hours. I would recommend this method of anesthesia based on my excellent experience.
I am more familiar with the procedure since I am a surgical technologist and I have seen the procedure up close and in its entirety on a few occasions. It is imperative to get the knee moving soon after surgery in order to get range of motion going again.