Alan's ACL Hamstring Graft

by Alan Eisele
(Lansing, MI)

Three days post op

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.

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Alan's ACL Hamstring Graft

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Jan 21, 2011
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ACL hamstring reconstruction
by: Michal

Hi there John, I had undergone ACL reconstruction 3 days ago on 18th January with spinal anaesthesia + nerve block. I returned home on the very next day and never had any pain issues so far (I am not taking any painkillers since discharge from hospital). Flexibility is a problem and knee area is swollen but other than this I cannot complain. I was advised not to go for petella tendon graft but to go for hamstring due to less complications. My leg looks today as the one of Alan's :).

Jan 12, 2011
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return to work
by: Anonymous

I am undergoing a similar procedure next month. Not to sound irresponsible, but how long after the procedure do you think a return to office-based work will take?
John, Portsmouth UK

Apr 16, 2009
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How are you doing now?
by: Laura

Alan,
How are you doing now. I am currently 2 weeks post op from hamstring graft. For me the hardest part is the nerve pain. I was wondering if yours has gone away yet.

Thanks,
Laura

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