Dan's ACL Surgery

by Danny Hong
(College Park, Maryland)

I'm getting surgery done in two days...and I'm very anxious and nervous. First time going under the knife. I tore my ACL playing basketball when some guy decided to plow into me like a football tackle to get the rebound. On the way down, my knee twisted and I hear the telltale "pop". I refused to believe that I tore my ACL, finished the game, and walked back to my dormitory.

The pain then set in an hour later, probably after my adrenaline wore off. Getting surgery done before Spring Break so I can use that time to somewhat heal. My surgeon recommended the PT graft so I'm gonna be sporting a nice gash on my knee with stitches.

I'm really not ready for the pain haha...I tend to refuse pain medications but seeing how drastic this is...I may have to relent.

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Dan's ACL Surgery

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Mar 10, 2009
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Pain meds...
by: Bart - SII

Sorry to hear about your injury - don't rule out the pain meds - they may be of benefit for the first few days! You sound motivated and with a fairly high tolerance, so you should do well!

Bart

Mar 10, 2009
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thanks!
by: Danny

Thanks. I'll try to keep the board posted. Doesn't help I have major midterms before my surgery. haha.

Mar 11, 2009
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So I'm sitting in bed...
by: Danny

I got the surgery done this morning and I just fully woke up. The back of my knee feels a bit sticky though, I dunno if that's the right description but it does. and my leg weighs a ton. -.-

Apr 16, 2009
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Don't Trip
by: Ashley

I had the PT allograft, if you have a good surgen the pain will only last a week and take the pain pills only when going to sleep so you aren't awaken out your sleep. Remember the better the sleep time you have the body has time to re-couperate. The cold compressor( portable ICE pack MAChine) that should be wrapped over the stiches and it will be your friend. It will reduce swelling and pain so you won't need pain killers. The first 2 days of Post-Op if you have the cold compressor machine will stay on continously which is very important. This keeps the leg very cold and the body so dress warm if possible. If the cold compressor is over the bandging that is better that way you don't have to worry about frost bite. Just make sure a thin towel is in between the compressor because frost bite isn't fun. I kept the machine on for 2days straight so if I wouldn't of done that my knee probbaly be big as a bowling ball. Im in my third week and my knee is still swollen but it looks less swollen then when I injured it so I know Im going in the right direction.

Apr 16, 2009
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1 Month Post Op
by: Dan

Well...its been a month since.

I can almost go full rotation on the bike, my knee is getting to -2 deg...bending will get there eventually my therapist says. And i can walk around without crutches or brace. All in all, good progress. Can't wait to run or jog though.