Chris' ACL surgery

I had my right ACL reconstructed from a hamstring graft last Friday, May 1, 2009. Right now, I am eight days out and cannot get rid of the swelling and pain in my calf on the inside of my right leg.

I went to the doctor last Monday to have the dressings taken off and he said all looked well. I started therapy on Thursday and went both Thursday and Friday. My PT says he does not believe there is a blood clot or anything right now, but that I have a ton of swelling.

I have done countless hours of ice to no avail. I just started using an ace wrap as a compression tool around my calf as told by the PT.

Yesterday, I started developing a pain on my knee, the first one yet. Without medical terms and the best way I can describe it. it is on the inside part of my right leg where you would think of a hinge being for your knee. When I stand up, the pain is pretty bad.

I feel like I have a constant charlie horse when I walk even though walking has become easier today.

I am a very active person and it is killing me to be couped up. I guess it goes with the territory. Anyone have any suggestions on getting the swelling and pain down?

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Chris' ACL surgery

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May 12, 2009
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swelling
by: Bart - SII

Definitely keep up with the ACE wrap - make sure you go all the way down to your toes and up as far as you can - the compression will help against gravity that will pull the fluid into your lower leg. Lots of elevation, as high as you can get it, and ice.

The first two weeks are usually the worst for swelling and pain because your body is in an active inflammatory state during this time - after 14 days or so, things start to calm down and the swelling will lessen.

Your PT may also be able to do some milking massage to try to move the swelling up the leg and get the body to start to absorb it.

Hang in there - it will get better!

Bart

May 17, 2009
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acl swelling
by: Anonymous

hi i also tore my acl. I just wanted to tell you that i am 3 months post op and i still have a little swelling. My therapists say swelling is normal and that the body will take it out at its own pace. The only thing they warned me about when i just had surgery was not to let the swelling get around the stiffen or else that will be bad. I do remember though around 2 months post op that they can suck out the swelling with a needle if they swelling hinders your ability to flex your quad or other activities but that never happened to me
good luck