Kates Acl reconstruction update

by Kate
(Ontario)

Hi its just me again, i told you guys my story about a month or two months ago.I am now 2 months postop. You can find my story by going here

I just wanted to update you guys on how i am doing. Right now my leg still won't go straight, for the past month/month and a half it has been stuck at negative 10 degrees, it just won't go straight.My phyiso said i will probably need another surgery to get it straight. My surgeon does not really want to operate on my knee because he said if he does, then my knee won't last as long? is this true, He is giving me two more weeks to get it straight.
A got a couple questions if you could help me by answering them it would be great!
-If i have this surgery will it last as long as if i did not have this surgery
-Will this surgery put me behind in my recovery time
-Will i have to spend the night in the hospital
-what does this surgery involve
-How long until i can do things again, like continue with my rehab
-What will happen if i don't get this surgery

Thanks
Kate

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Kates Acl reconstruction update

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Aug 12, 2009
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thanks
by: Anonymous

hey kate
thanks for your update
im sorry i can't help you answer the questions
i never had that problem

Aug 12, 2009
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second surgery questions
by: Bart - SII

Knee extension is extremely important for normal walking, sports, etc. So, it is good that your doctor and therapist are concerned about your progress thus far. There are several things that can cause a lack of extension this far out from surgery. Scar tissue is usually to blame for lack of extension, especially if it is a lack of passive extension (meaning your leg won't go straight when you are relaxed).

If it is scar tissue, different doctors will do different things. Some may opt for a manipulation under anesthesia - basically they put you under and then force the knee straight, breaking up the scar tissue. This is commonly done with shoulders that freeze up after surgery. However, with the ACL, there may be concern that the graft could be injured during the manipulation. The other alternative is a knee scope to go inside and look and see what is causing the lack of extension. Most of the time this is done to remove the scar tissue and to check to make sure the graft is ok.

The arthroscopic procedure will cause swelling afterwards, but it won't take anywhere as long as the ACL reconstruction to get better. After a scope you may be on crutches for a week or two and then resume your rehab. After a manipulation, you may need crutches for a week or more, but since they don't actually go inside the knee, it is less traumatic.

Talk to your doctor about what they plan on doing so you know what to expect. Extension is very very important, so having the surgery or manipulation to try to fix this problem is likely a good idea. Just make sure that once they get that passive knee extension, your therapist focuses on maintaining it so you don't lose that motion.

Bart

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Aug 12, 2009
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Submitted by: Bart - SII

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Knee extension is extremely important for normal walking, sports, etc. So, it is good that your doctor and therapist are concerned about your progress thus far. There are several things that can cause a lack of extension this far out from surgery. Scar tissue is usually to blame for lack of extension, especially if it is a lack of passive extension (meaning your leg won't go straight when you are relaxed). If it is scar tissue, different doctors will do different things. Some may opt for a manipulation under anesthesia - basically they put you under and then force the knee straight, breaking up the scar tissue. This is commonly done with shoulders that freeze up after surgery. However, with the ACL, there may be concern that the graft could be injured during the manipulation. The other alternative is a knee scope to go inside and look and see what is causing the lack of extension. Most of the time this is done to remove the scar tissue and to check to make sure the graft is ok. The arthroscopic procedure will cause swelling afterwards, but it won't take anywhere as long as the ACL reconstruction to get better. After a scope you may be on crutches for a week or two and then resume your rehab. After a manipulation, you may need crutches for a week or more, but since they don't actually go inside the knee, it is less traumatic. Talk to your doctor about what they plan on doing so you know what to expect. Extension is very very important, so having the surgery or manipulation to try to fix this problem is likely a good idea. Just make sure that once they get that passive knee extension, your therapist focuses on maintaining it so you don't lose that motion. Bart

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Aug 19, 2009
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another question
by: Anonymous

hey bart!
thanks for anwering my questions
i will be having my surgery to get my leg straight sept 3rd, my surgon is going to scope my knee.
i got another question for you
after this surgery is done will i have to spend a night in the hospital?
thansk
kate

Sep 13, 2009
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Update
by: kate

Hey everyone its me again
well i had my surgery a week and 2 days ago and everything is going goood. I aam still lacking 5 degrees, but phyiso is going to hammer at it to get the last degrees. Right now they but me in a full legg brace to keep my leg straight. They said i will be able to play soccer again in june. I am scared tho cauz i'm a soccer goalie, and will i be able to dive on it again

Dec 17, 2009
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acl recon
by: tony

Had acl recon hamstring graft 3 weeks ago and everything going great except the fact i cannot straighten my leg. Got no pain it just wont physical go straight. consultant has given me another 3 weeks to 'work at it' with physio. If i cannot straighten by then he will look to remove the scar tissue he suspects is the problem. Im totally gutted. Anyone else going through this after acl surgery?

Dec 28, 2009
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im going through the same thing
by: Anonymous

hey tony its me kate,
i had that surgery to remove scar tissue almost 4 months ago. Before surgery i was lacking 30 degrees, and after surgery i am lacking 10 degrees. Im having a problem because my knee heals to fast, so more scar tissue builds up. Im going to see the surgon again in two weeks to see what hes going to do. Prob another surgery. Ill tell you how recoverry is after the second surgery, i was put into a full leg splint to keep my leg straight. The splint was on for a month. I was on cruthes for 2 weeks. And i stated phyiso 3 days after. Let me know how what is happening with your knee.

Dec 29, 2009
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re
by: tony

hi Kate,
Been to see consultant today. He thinks the graft along with my hamstrings are just really tight. Range has improved alot since my last post so ive been ordered to continue with the physio and he will make a decision on the 20th of jan. im about 10 deg short at the minute. He also said sometimes you never recover full range of movement. Seems a shame that you suffer for being a good healer.

Dec 29, 2009
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re
by: kate

Hey tony.
so what would they do if your graft is to tight?
How many months are you out from your acl reconstruction
I hope everything goes good for you.
We should keep updating each other on our recovery.

Jan 12, 2010
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hi
by: Anonymous

Hi Kate. Through lots of physio and driving the knee into the ground i have reached 0% extention. Problem is i hyperextend -5% on my good leg so the leg dosnt look or feel straight. also when holding my leg straight and contracting my muscles the knee locks up and is painful to release. The pain is on the medial side and could be due to the fact i have a vry weak vmo. Going to see consultant on the 20th of jan so i will keep you updated.