Normal or just being impatient ?

by Michelle
(Wa)

I had my ACL reconstruction on the 30th of Dec. I am able to bend the knee to almost normal and straighten it to within 1% of normal range. My frustration lies with the swelling and still not being able to walk normally. I am going to the gym and riding the stationary bike and doing my exercises nightly. Is this normal or should I be concerned that I am not able to walk normally after almost 4 wks. Any one have any advice please let me know.

Thanks

Michelle

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Normal or just being impatient ?

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Sep 12, 2009
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limping NEW
by: Anonymous

i tore my acl and it has been 5 months with no surgery. it was a serious partial tear, so the goal has been for me to do rehab and see if getting the muscles back will stabilize it enough.
i still limp a little. my point is,
let's say you got your surgery a couple months after injury. the injury itself causes problems, not just the surgery. you have a lot of healing that is still going on regarding the injury perhaps? for example, bone bruises which don't go away until like 8 months after injury. surgery fixes some of the stability issues, but not the pain. pain is often a reason for limping. the less pain i have, the less limping i do. besides that, the limping is because i am still building up muscles and relying on the uninjured leg more because i am unstable.
i am just saying. focus on getting full extension of your leg and walking heal toe heal toe with it, even if you limp. the pain will go away with time, not just working your muscles.

Feb 19, 2009
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re: cracking sound/extension NEW
by: Anonymous

I experience the crack and pops regularly these days. I am 11 weeks post op ACL hamstring graft with meniscus repair. When I do bending exercises the knee cracks and pops almost each time. I asked my therapist and surgeon and they both said it will go away eventually but not for a long time. As for extension I have pretty much all of it back. I am working on increasing quads and calf muscles and hoping to go skating soon! Good luck!

Feb 11, 2009
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Extension NEW
by: Nicole

I am about to be 3 months tomorrow and my extension is still getting there, I'm there but im not there if that makes sense lol.

* Does anyone have problems when after full extension pops/crack while bending?

Feb 09, 2009
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Extension / Swelling NEW
by: Lori

Michelle - My doc told me that full extension is the hardest thing to get back. It's also the most important thing for walking normally. I am almost 8 weeks out, and I still have occasionally walking problems. My extension is good, but the cold weather isn't helping at all :) Good luck to you!

Feb 06, 2009
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Thank You NEW
by: Michelle

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FEED BACK. it's been 5 wks now and I went to the Dr. my flexing is at 100% but my extension is lacking quite a bit. Not quite sure how fast i should expect that to return to normal.

Thank You again for all your support.

Michelle

Feb 05, 2009
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(my vote) Normal NEW
by: K in SC

I'm not surprised that you still have swelling at 4 wks. I am at 13 weeks post op and still have occasional swelling (especially after a hard PT session or trying to wear low heels to work). I seemed to hit a major breakthrough around 8 wks and have been making great improvements since but did notice this week more swelling than usual...maybe because I started running? Who knows, but people at the office have made comments to me in passing such as "how's the knee...I noticed you limping some today". I often think about how far I've come and then again how far I have to go! Normal is the goal after all!

Feb 03, 2009
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RE: Normal or just being impatient? NEW
by: Anonymous

Hey Michelle,

I am six weeks post-op and I know what you are experiencing. I just started walking normally a few days ago. The swelling was really slowing me down. I still have quite a bit of swelling but I am walking quite normally now. Give it a couple more weeks and make sure you are icing every night after you finish your therapy exercises. It will get better soon. Also, make sure you take your anti-inflammatories.

Kyle

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